The Entertainment Machine
A documentary series about NRK, the Norwegian national broadcaster.
Episodes
The history of NRK's talk show spans from Rolf Kirkvaag to Anne Lindmo, and is a story characterized by elephants, bank robbers and a female bus driver who can play the harmonica. Presenter Njål Engesæth and NRK veteran John Andreassen look at 50 years of highs and lows, in an attempt to understand why television's talk shows have become the way they have become.
Among NRK's TV competitions we find classics such as Kvitt or Dobbel and Påskenøtter, and more forgettable concepts such as Rebus-Rally and Eldprøva. Presenter Njål Engesæth and NRK veteran John Andreassen look at 50 years of smart washerwomen, incomprehensible challenges and strange prizes, and try to find the answer to what is the ultimate form of competition for television.
NRK's comedy ventures range from revues in the 60s to trashy TV in the 90s. In this episode, presenter Njål Engesæth looks at the attempts at timeless humor from the state channel. Together with NRK veterans Andreas Diesen and John Andreassen, he tries to find out what has withstood the test of time and what absolutely has not.
The satire in NRK has gone from royal parodies and swearing, to chicken stunts and porn sketches. For over 50 years, TV viewers and public figures have been provoked, and presenter Njål Engesæth examines whether the reactions have been appropriate.
For over 50 years, NRK has traveled both domestically and abroad to create TV entertainment. Program leader Njål Engesæth works the travel programs at the seams, and has teamed up with veteran producer John Andreassen to find out what NRK thinks when they are on tour.
Some TV shows are more traditional than others. «Eurovision», «Spellemannprisen» and «Kvelden før kvelden» are among NRK's most watched programmes. But when presenter Njål Engesæth digs into the archive, he finds that high viewing figures do not always guarantee high quality.
