Been watching The Julekalender again this December. It’s a Norwegian advent calendar TV show, and it’s very silly. The show’s six main characters are played by three actors, hence the similarities between the two sets of characters. The elves speak Norwenglish, which is why the title is half English.
Long, long ago, the nisser (elves) lived happily in their caves in Norway, until the wicked nåså vampires drove them out. The nisser fled to America, but now the music box playing the life melody of the oldest nisse is about to stop. He therefore sends the three bravest nisser to retrieve the key that can wind it.
The three nisser return to Norway, but their plane runs out of fuel and crashes, and they need to make a new propeller before they can return home. They bring with them The Big Wise Book, which has answers to almost everything, and must never fall into the hands of the nåså, as they would use it to increase taxes to 100% and rule the world.
Meanwhile at a local potato farm, owned by Olaf and Gjertrud, a mysterious man named Benny arrives, asking a lot of questions and inviting himself to stay with them…
The nisser:
Fritz: The leader of the group, who prefers to delegate rather than actually do anything himself. Temperamental, impatient, cowardly, but probably the most educated, and the one who makes sure things get done.
Gynter: The youngest of the elves. Naive, easily discouraged, but both the bravest and the most optimistic. He’s a sweetie always trying his best, and he’s also the most gung-ho about beating up the Nåså. Spends most of the story whittling a new propeller.
Hansi: The one who undoubtedly does the most work, but is always complaining about having to do it, then getting ragged on by Fritz. Both moody and dreamy, lazy and kind. Eventually gets a crush on Gjertrud, who is played by the same actor.
The humans:
Benny: A mysterious businessman from the big city, who turns out not to be human, but actually an evil nåså vampire. He’s obsessed with finding the elves and stealing their Big Wise Book, which lets him do black magic and increase taxes. Looks human until he drinks alcohol, which gives him glasses and fangs.
Olaf: A stereotypical potato farmer. Quiet and pipe-smoking. Cheats at solitaire, and on his taxes. Has an incredibly thick country accent.
Gjertrud: Olaf’s wife. She talks non-stop, usually loudly, usually ignored by both Olaf and Benny. She covers the entire house with Christmas decorations, and dearly wants a food processor for Christmas.
I first watched this show when I was 7, and now over 20 years later, it’s even more hilarious. Satirical and over the top, with little regard for the fourth wall. Filled with word play and ridiculous catch phrases, and a lot of bilingual (or even trilingual) bonuses. Not to mention a lot of very catchy songs.
Bonus: At one point, Gynter is knocked out and temporarily turns into an evil, German tracker dog from Düsseldorf.
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