No dancing pair was sent home from "Skal vi danse" on Saturday night, according to VG. The TV 2 competition instead devoted the evening to a "Legender" theme, bringing back former contestants to be honoured while the current couples danced routines inspired by them.
Among the returning names VG lists are Tale Torp Torjussen, Emilie Voe Nereng, Nate Kahungu, Trygve Bennetsen and Harlem Alexander. The former participants did not take to the floor themselves; their role was to be celebrated while the remaining pairs performed in their honour.
Why it matters
An episode without an elimination changes the shape of the competition. With nobody going out, every couple still in the running keeps its place for another week, and the pressure shifts to the next broadcast. The theme night also gave the programme a way to draw on its own history, mixing current contestants with faces viewers know from earlier seasons.
The format change was not the only adjustment. VG reports that each pair went from performing a single dance to three: their individual legend-inspired routine, a group dance and a joint dance.
A kiss on the sidelines and a sound fault in the studio
Before Leah Behn took her turn on the floor, she was seen kissing Streetboys artist Jostein Hamar in the audience, according to Se og Hør, which published a photograph of the moment. VG refers to the report.
Behn, an influencer, later danced with partner Andreas Hiim to Demi Lovato's "Confident", taking inspiration from Selma Ibrahim.
The evening's first couple, artist Alessandra Mele and partner Jone Snilstveit, performed a samba to "Hip Hip Chin Chin" by Club des Belugas in tribute to Harlem Alexander. Viewers noticed audio problems during the opening part of the routine.
TV 2 press officer Jan-Petter Dahl told VG that a technical fault affected the sound sent to viewers during the first half of the dance, while audio in the studio worked as intended and the performance itself was unaffected. He said the broadcaster is looking into what happened. Mele told VG she had learned of the problem only minutes earlier and hoped it would be resolved, adding with a smile that she hoped people would give her an extra vote.
Judge Jan Thomas described the samba as fast, exciting and sensual, in comments carried by VG.
How the couples fared with the judges
Comedian Maria Stavang and partner Jørgen Nilsen danced a pasodoble to "Uccen" by Taalbi Brothers, Dwts, drawing on Alexandra Joner. Judge Merete Mørk Lingjærde told Stavang that she gives everything and never holds back, while Nadya Khamitskaya said the start was excellent but that the routine became too much running along the way.
Influencer Tarjei Svalastog and partner Marianne Sandaker performed an Argentine tango to Rag'n'Bone Man's "Human" in honour of Nate Kahungu, who appeared in both the 2020 season and the "All stars" season in 2022. Khamitskaya told the pair they were taking "Skal vi danse" to a new level. Kahungu, asked about the evening, said what he had missed most was being in the hall, the atmosphere and seeing people dressed up, and he called one routine the wildest dance in the programme's history, according to VG.
Svalastog had drawn criticism during the previous week's broadcast after an error in a Viennese waltz with Krogh, VG reports.
Another influencer, dancing modern dance to Sigrid's "Don't Kill My Vibe" with partner Marianne Sandaker, paid tribute to Emilie Voe Nereng, a contestant in 2019. Mørk Lingjærde told him the effort was wholehearted but that technically the dance was not good. Nereng told VG she was delighted to be there and pleased with the performance, saying he was born to dance to that song because he is so secure in who he is.
An artist and partner Antonio Careri were third out, dancing a jive to "APT" by Rosé and Bruno Mars in honour of Trygve Bennetsen, who took part in the previous season. Mørk Lingjærde said the pair gave everything and let go, and called it a success.
A training profile and partner Norunn Ringvoll performed a boogie-woogie to "Jump Jive An' Wail" by The Brian Setzer Orchestra, honouring former contestant Ulrikke Brandstorp.
VG notes that Sandra Lyng, 39, was the season's first contestant to be eliminated, followed by series creator and actor Espen PA Lervaag, 49, who left after a duel against Kim Wigaard, 38.
What to watch
With no elimination this week, attention turns to the next broadcast, when the remaining couples face the floor again and the competition resumes its usual rhythm.
