No dancing pair was sent home from «Skal vi danse» on Saturday night, according to VG. The Norwegian broadcaster TV 2's entertainment show devoted the evening to a «Legender» theme, in which former participants were celebrated and the current couples performed routines inspired by them. VG reported that nobody was eliminated in the episode.
The format change was substantial for the remaining pairs. Each couple performed a legend-themed dance, and in addition took part in a group dance and a joint dance, meaning the contestants went from preparing one routine to three, VG reported.
Why it matters
The absence of an elimination gives every remaining couple another week in the competition, which matters as the season narrows. VG noted that Sandra Lyng, 39, was the season's first contestant to leave, and that series creator and actor Espen PA Lervaag, 49, departed after a duel against Kim Wigaard, 38. With no one going home on Saturday, the field stays intact heading into the next broadcast.
The tribute format also put the show's history on display. VG reported that former participants including Tale Torp Torjussen, Emilie Voe Nereng, Nate Kahungu, Trygve Bennetsen and Harlem Alexander were honoured during the evening. They did not dance themselves; instead, the current couples drew on them for inspiration, according to VG.
A kiss on the tribune and a sound fault
The evening's most talked-about off-floor moment involved influencer Leah Behn, who kissed Streetboys artist Jostein Hamar in the stands before she was due to dance later in the show, VG reported, citing Se og Hør, which published a photograph of the kiss.
There was also a technical problem. Alessandra Mele was the first to dance on Saturday, and TV viewers noticed audio issues during the opening part of her performance. Jan-Petter Dahl, head of press at TV 2, told VG in a message that a technical fault affected the sound going out to viewers during the first half of the dance, while audio in the studio worked as intended and the performance itself was not affected. Dahl said the broadcaster was looking into what had happened.
Mele told VG she had learned of the sound problems only a few minutes earlier, and said she hoped it would be fixed, adding with a smile that she hoped people would give an extra vote.
How the couples fared
VG published the full run of dances and judges' scores, listed from the last couple to perform to the first.
Behn danced with Andreas Hiim to Demi Lovato's «Confident», taking inspiration from Selma Ibrahim. Comedian Maria Stavang and Jørgen Nilsen performed a pasodoble to «Uccen» by Taalbi Brothers, Dwts, inspired by Alexandra Joner. Judge Merete Mørk Lingjærde told Stavang that she gives everything and never holds back, while Nadya Khamitskaya said Stavang started excellently but ran too much as the dance went on, according to VG.
Influencer Tarjei Svalastog and partner Marianne Sandaker were set to dance an Argentine tango to Rag'n'Bone Man's «Human», honouring 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, VG reported. Kahungu said what he had missed most about the show was being in the hall, the atmosphere and people dressing up, and he described one routine as perhaps the wildest dance in the programme's history. VG noted that Svalastog had drawn criticism the previous week over a mistake in a Viennese waltz with Krogh.
Another influencer, whose name VG did not attach to the routine in its listing, was to perform modern dance to Sigrid's «Don't Kill My Vibe» with partner Marianne Sandaker, honouring Emilie Voe Nereng, a 2019 participant. Mørk Lingjærde said the effort was wholehearted but that technically it was not a good dance. Nereng told VG she found it great fun to be there and was pleased with the performance, saying the dancer was born to take on «Don't Kill My Vibe» 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 tribute to Tryggve Bennetsen, who took part in the previous season. Mørk Lingjærde said the pair gave everything and let go, and called it a success, according to VG.
A training profile and partner Norunn Ringvoll were to dance boogie-woogie to «Jump Jive An' Wail» by The Brian Setzer Orchestra, honouring former contestant Ulrikke Brandstorp.
Mele and partner Jone Snilstveit opened the show with a samba to «Hip Hip Chin Chin» by Club des Belugas, in tribute to Harlem Alexander. Judge Jan Thomas described it as fast, exciting and sensual, VG reported.
What to watch
With no elimination this week, attention turns to whether the next broadcast resumes the usual format and which couple faces the vote. VG's coverage also leaves open whether TV 2 will explain the cause of the audio fault that affected Mele's opening dance.
