Comedian Espen PA Lervaag was unseated from “Skal vi danse” following his tango performance, which earned him the lowest judge score of 14 points, forcing him out of the competition. The elimination came after a film-themed episode where contestants performed dances inspired by movies, with Lervaag’s routine tied to his role in the series “Maniac.”
The episode, titled “filmkveld(film night), began with Sebastian Solberg (35) and his dance partner Marianne Sandaker opening the show with a high-energy quickstep to
Friend Like Me” from Will Smith’s version of Aladdin. The event, held in Fornebu, featured 12 celebrities competing, including Lervaag, who had previously been in the spotlight for his role in the series Maniac, which was later sold to Germany and the United States. Lervaag’s tango performance, inspired by his role in the show, earned him 14 points from the judges, the lowest of the night, and led to his elimination after a dance-off with Kim Wigaard (38) and his partner Marielle Holgersen.
Judges’ Critique and Performance Highlights
In contrast, judge Nadya Khamitskaya Andersen praised the performance of Øyunn Krogh, who delivered a dance that earned the night’s highest score of 35 points. Andersen described their routine as elegant, powerful, and stable, you deliver.
Other standout performances included Sondre Sundby and Norunn Ringvoll’s tango to Thunderstruck
from Thor: Ragnarok, which earned 26 points, and Victoria Nadine’s jive, which scored 32 points. Nadine’s routine, set to Bang Bang
by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj from Bring It On, drew emotional reactions from the audience, with Aasebø noting, That’s my girl! What was that!!! A music video you just got sucked into, everyone recognizes the feeling. You just deliver like the queen! What can you say to Victoria Nadine, you have nerves? It seems like you dropped 100% and “went all in.
The episode also featured Katelyn Garbin and Ole Thomas Hansen’s show dance to A Million Dreams
from the film The Greatest Showman, which earned 23 points. Aasebø remarked, Keep working with the legs, you’re very soon where the 6 is yours.
The elimination process followed a structured format: after each performance, judges awarded points, and audience votes were tallied. Lervaag and Wigaard were among the two couples facing elimination, with Lervaag’s 14 points securing his exit. The judges’ scores ranged from 14 to 35 points, with over 20 points separating the top and bottom performers. Wigaard advanced to the next round, while Lervaag expressed his thoughts on his departure, stating to TV 2, It’s of course cool to leave, but I don’t feel any sorrow. Now I’m going home to be a dad and husband again, and it’s not so bad either!
Reactions and Implications
Experts and fans reacted to Lervaag’s elimination, with Nettavisen’s “Skal vi danse” expert Maria Ludvigsen noting, He’s provided good entertainment and has a totally fantastic personality. He blows the scale! A great guy and this year’s “Skal vi danse” will definitely be a bit more boring without him.
Ludvigsen praised Lervaag’s contributions to the show, calling him a great guy
and noting it was on high time. Meanwhile, judge Merethe Lingjærde acknowledged Lervaag’s effort to maintain balance but stated: You didn’t dance, you walked over the floor.
Lervaag’s elimination followed the departure of Sandra Lyng in a previous episode, where she lost to Solberg. The competition’s structure combines judge scores and audience votes, with eliminations determined by the lowest combined totals. The show’s film-themed episode highlighted the contestants’ ability to interpret cinematic narratives through dance, with Lervaag’s routine tied to his role in Maniac. His exit leaves him as the second contestant out of the competition.
The show's focus on film themes highlights its creative flexibility, with performances ranging from quicksteps to tangos. The judges’ feedback emphasized the importance of technical skill, emotional delivery, and audience engagement, as seen in the praise for Øyunn Krogh’s performance and the mixed reactions to Lervaag’s tango. The competition continues to draw public attention, with viewers tuning in to witness the evolving dynamics of the contestants and their efforts to secure their spots in the final rounds.
Dagbladet and TV2 provided detailed coverage of the event, including expert analyses and contestant reactions.