The Danish comedian Rasmus Wallbridge sits in an empty cinema. He thinks he might now see a trailer for the feature film he's currently producing. But instead he sees on the screen how he was tricked for months: meetings that were filmed with a hidden camera, people he thought were business partners revealing themselves as actors.
“So the film never existed?” Wallbridge asks a colleague sitting next to him. He wants to know who paid for the trip to Lithuania. The television station TV2, answers the other man - and continues: "Everyone we met were initiated actors."
Lied to and filmed in secret
Wallbridge's face freezes, he is shocked and begins to laugh almost desperately. It was only at that moment that the young comedian found out that he had been lied to for over four months and filmed with a hidden camera.
Because Wallbridge thought that he had been commissioned by a production company to make his first major feature film. Almost 150 people were privy to the television station TV2's plan. He produced a six-part show called “Everyone loves Rasmus”.
Devastating reactions to TV format
The reactions to this in Denmark are devastating: "Violent, cross-border, irresponsible," said psychologist Michael Baastrup Portz in an interview with broadcaster DR. This prank could have serious consequences for those affected.
The long duration of the lie and the fact that so many people were involved could lead the person concerned to ask themselves: How could this happen? This could lead to worries that could potentially develop into depression, says the psychologist.
Several of those in the know, including celebrities, have now publicly apologized to those affected. After heavy criticism, TV2 removed the program from its online library and announced an internal investigation.
“Serious mistakes made”
Ulla Pors, TV2's program director, admits that her channel has made serious mistakes. The show should never have been commissioned and broadcast, she said.
Initially, the broadcaster tried to defend the format. But gradually new allegations came to light. In the crucial denouement scene, the soundtrack is said to have been changed, so it is unclear how Rasmus Wallbridge actually recorded the hoax.
Wallbridge has now responded with a post on Instagram. He is currently not at a point where he can take part in the discussion. He addressed the broadcaster TV2 with the following words: If those responsible had planned similar programs, they should leave it alone.
Minister of Culture intervenes
Even Denmark's Culture Minister Zenia Stampe joined the debate. The format is a crystal clear mistake. "I am of the opinion that TV 2 can only regain its credibility if the broadcaster reveals how it wants to prevent something like this from happening again," said Stampe.
According to TV2, Rasmus Wallbridge initially agreed that the program could be broadcast. Nevertheless, TV2 has crossed a line here, says Thomas Pallesen, media lawyer at broadcaster DR. In Denmark, there is a lot of freedom in the production of entertainment programs - but: "At the same time, you have to be aware that you are making programs about real people who then have to move on with their lives," said Pallesen.
What was intended to be a major prank has turned into a PR disaster for TV2. The case shows how quickly a broadcaster can lose trust when entertainment comes at the expense of people.
