– Now I expect to round reality Norway in three to four years – Dagsavisen
Whose: Espen Lervaag (44)
What: Screenwriter, actor and comedian
Why: Participant in the new season of the TV2 program «Kompani Lauritzen», which has its season premiere next Saturday
Hi! You are one of the recruits in the upcoming season of “Kompani Lauritzen”. How unfamiliar terrain was it for you?
– I have been in the first service so I am well versed in the military and had a very good time there. The only problem is that I was in a completely different physical shape at the time, when I was well trained and did sports at a relatively high level. So “Kompani Lauritzen” was something else. I do not have the physical anymore, but completely unknown terrain was not.
What is it like to officially be a reality contestant?
– It had to come sooner or later, so now I expect to get round Reality-Norway in three to four years. Then I’m 50 so I’ll be a bitter old man anyway.
So… “Shall we dance” next?
– No, that’s probably the only thing I think I had steered away from.
Is it embarrassing that there is so much grinning and sincerity, as there often is in reality TV?
– I’m not a fan of it in private. “Kompani Lauritzen” is a grateful concept to say yes to, it is feelgood TV. But they want you to laugh there too. If you laugh sincerely, you must be allowed to do so, but I am not a fan of concepts where there is a stated goal.
But this bubble everyone is talking about ending up in ..?
– Yes, it does exist. It was surprising to me. I’ve worked a lot with the TV behind the camera, so I thought I was pretty well prepared and was a little handsome, but you get sucked into it pretty immediately. There is probably something about being just a participant, without a telephone or the everyday around you. Everyone in there is in the same emotional place, and therefore you get welded together quickly and end up in the bubble faster than you think.
The goal of Dag Otto Lauritzen is for you to become the best version of yourself. Were you?
– I was quite happy with the version I was before I got there, really. But I have pushed some boundaries both physically and mentally that I would not do anywhere else. But, I met some people there who I am extremely grateful for now, and who have become good friends of mine. There I have become a better version of myself, by opening doors for new friendships, for that door I had actually closed. I was a little tired of getting people into my life, but I got it, and it surprised me so damn well.
Who were you closest to in there, then?
– Daniel Kvammen, amazing enough. We come from different planets, but we crash into one kind man crush, and we still have that tone. I also got to know Tone Damli well. I focus on artists. Nei da. But I was afraid that we would become such a gang that had to hang out a lot in private and go on cabin trips and stuff, I did not want that. It has not been quite like that either.
[ TIX, forstår du hva du har gjort? ]
What did you hope to achieve with this?
– I had a goal, it was not to smoke first. I understand why I was cast for this, it’s not because they think I’ll win. I understand that my physique is not created for much of what they do in there, but I wanted innmari not to smoke first.
Is there anything you dread watching on TV?
– There will be no Kjersti Grini situation, but I dread to see myself in the basement, because how I was then, I’m not entirely sure of myself. I’m more excited than I dread.
[ – Kjersti Grini har fått mye ufortjent pes for n-ordet ]
What are you most proud of that you got in there, then?
– I had more to go on mentally than I thought and surprised myself in some situations. In everyday life, I would be a coward if I received similar messages or tasks, as I had gone straight to the café and had a coffee instead. But then there is something about it being filmed, it helps with motivation, you get tougher from it when you know that a thousand people are going to watch.
If you were single, would you have a gun picture on Tinder now?
– Yes, I definitely would. Or, I was guaranteed to do. Ha ha! So, there are a lot of raw pictures of me out there now, so I had the milk for all it’s worth by covering social media with soldier pictures. What’s not to like, I think.
We also take some quick questions. Which book has meant the most to you?
– It must be Johan Harstad’s book «Hässelby». I have seldom slaughtered a book that way. It deals with Albert Aaberg as an adult, which is an absolutely fantastic and fun premise. Everyone has wondered what happens to him when he grows up. I can highly recommend it. I really always thought that someone should make a TV series about Albert in adulthood. That is genius.
It could be you?
– I have thought about it, but have not gotten there yet. But someone should take that job.
[ Albert Åberg – femti år og like ung (+) ]
Who was your childhood hero?
– Mini Jakobsen! He was a legend and one I really looked up to. I sent a letter to him when he was playing in Switzerland, and got a signed version back. I framed it, and it followed me well into my youth.
What do you do when you go out?
– I feel like I live a pretty extravagant life all the time. But to go to an exclusive grocery store on a Friday and go bananas with cured meats and cheeses and a little too expensive red wine, I think is really delicious. I think people should treat themselves a little more often – oh spice up his usual grocery store game.
Who would you rather be stuck in the elevator with?
– Right now I would choose Charter-Svein. Then maybe I could knock a little sense in his head, because I think he has spooned out a little now. I’m very fond of Svein and always have been, so maybe we could figure things out together. And if we are going to sit there for a long time, then the two of us at least do not run out of things to do or talk about.
Here is a review from last year’s season of “Kompani Lauritzen”:
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