Yeah, it's hard to be a nissemand

[oneiriad]

There's one thing that puzzles me. (Okay, quite a few things, but this post is about just one...)

Why does it only seem to be the Scandinavian countries that watch various Christmas calender television series? When you compare the amount of television produced in, say, Denmark, and the amount from, say, the UK or the US, you'd think it would be different. You'd think they'd jump at this whole genre of tv-series, even if the English speaking world doesn't have proper nisser (whether they are of the "The Julekalender" variety or the more ordinary type). I mean, they're generally fun. Admittedly, I'm staying far away from DR's offering this year - the first two Nissebanden series were fun, but the one set in the Danish West-Indies was just not good, but The Julekalender is always good for a laugh, even if I feel sorry for Hansi - it's hardly his fault that he's the one with the biggest tænder and the grimmest tøj...

Comments

[fairlyironic.livejournal.com]

There are whole television shows centered around Christmas? I have no idea why we don't do it in the US. Around Christmas all that's on is Christmas movies and specials, like Peanuts, Garfield, various classic childrens shows, etc. Does Danish television have Christmas specials?

[oneiriad.livejournal.com]

There are whole television shows centered around Christmas?
Oh yes. They've been going strong since some time in the 60's. Usually with a plot involving saving Christmas in some way or other, a number of more or less catchy songs and - of course - nisser. Can't be Christmas without nisser.

Does Danish television have Christmas specials?
Well, there's plenty of Christmas movies and special editions of quiz shows and such is not unheard of, but if you mean special Christmas episodes for television series, then no.

[quaryn-dk.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of turning my description/grammar of NisseEngelsk into a book...

[oneiriad.livejournal.com]

I'd read it. Pity you didn't do it in time for this year's Christmas, though. It would probably get more attention if published while The Julekalender is actually shown.

Which reminds me, have you ever seen the Crazy Christmas Cabaret? There is one of the recurring characters - Dr. van Helsingør from Elsinore - who speaks a kind of Danish-English which has occasionally reminded me a bit of NisseEngelsk (also, it's fun :-)