On Sunday 22 January, one of Norway’s most iconic TV series turns 30. Courage in the chest took the Norwegian people by storm, and in just three days approximately 1.4 million Norwegians had caught the first episode of the comedy series.
In TV 2’s anniversary broadcast, the laughter is loose. The actors Hilde Lyrån (60), Sven Nordin (65) and Nils Vogt (74) reminisce back to that iconic time.
ANNIVERSARY: Trine, played by Hilde Lyrån, and Nils, played by Sven Nordin, became witty characters in Mot i brøset. Photo: TV 2
– There was obviously a need there. It was absolutely sick. On the day of the premiere, we had 800,000 viewers, and the same episode was repeated for two days. Then another 600,000 watched the episode. That means that 1.4 million Norwegians sat and stared at these nonsense, says Nordin and laughs.
Over the course of 30 years, the actors have been involved in a lot of fun. Despite laughter and play, there have also been situations of the more unpleasant kind.
MEMORIES: Over the course of 30 years, Hilde Lyrån, Sven Nordin and Nils Vogt have heaps of memories to look back on. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
Dreaded
There are no wild ideas in the Mot i brøstet universe. When Nordin, who played the character Nils, was asked to carry out a scene of the more airy version, he was skeptical.
– The only thing I remember, which I dreaded inside, was when Tore (journal note series creator Tore Ryen) came one day and said: “Åssen, are you ready to jump with a parachute?” I have never tried that, I replied, says Nordin.
NERVES: Play and laughter can easily be associated with Courage. Sven Nordin also experienced a situation that gave him extra palpitations. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
Series creator Tore Ryen (76) had an idea that the character Nils should jump tandem with a parachute – and that he should come through the roof in the well-known Mot i brøstet living room.
– How do we do it?, I said. Then there was a parachute club in Askim where we could be allowed to do this – if I wanted to, he says.
– Then we have to do it now, I said. Not tomorrow. Then we have to get out of there right away, before I change my mind and regret it.
Shortly after, the appointment was booked and Nordin was on his way to the parachute club. He had a photographer with him to film the jump.
– It was a lot of fun, but I remember sitting and having heart palpitations during the whole trip out to the parachute club. It went by so fast, and I didn’t really have time to think about it properly.
RADAR PAIR: Nils Vogt and Sven Nordin guested on TV 2’s anniversary broadcast of Mot i brøset. Photo: Ditlev Eidsmo / TV 2
– Absolutely awesome
Before Nordin got to the top, he had a 15-minute course on the lawn. His tandem jump partner also had 3,000 jumps to show off and was bone solid, according to the actor.
In order to get the optimal jump on film, the 65-year-old had to jump from a higher height than usual to get a cloudless sky.
DISPLACED: Nils Vogt is left with only good memories. – If there has been any trouble, I have repressed it. Photo: TV 2
– I remember the worst part, which I thought was absolutely awful, was when we sat in the small plane because it was shaking, and we waited and waited for there to be a hole in the cloud cover so we could jump.
– Have you jumped since?
– Never jumped the page, and will never do it again.
See the entire anniversary broadcast here:
