Erik Alfred Tesaker – Knallhardt settlement after “The Farm”: -I cried

“Farmen Kjendis” winner Erik Alfred Tesaker (41) takes an unexpected and rather merciless showdown with the reality genre in general and “Farmen” in particular.

Cried several times

– I often cried on the farm, was battered and carried away by participating in “Farmen Kjendis”. I want to look at the genre with a critical eye, take a stand on how such TV entertainment is made, he says to Dagbladet.

We meet him at a hotel in Oslo, the “Inventor” is always on the go.

– I live in Øystøl in Sørlandet, but have been in the capital for a few days. Although I have strong views on the reality genre, I have also been bitten by the bacillus. It’s a bit like heroin, you get hooked. It provides exposure that is positive. Now I have been and made some TV recordings.

– Was destroyed and worn out

It took a long time for Erik Alfred Tesaker to join “Farmen Kjendis”. Before this he has been known through three seasons as “The Inventor” on NRK, where we see him as a creative all-rounder and inventor – and the family, his wife Ellen Marie and the three children who have now turned 10, 12 and 14 years old.

– I was completely psyched out from participating in “Farmen Kjendis” –

– I was devastated and exhausted for a long time afterwards. I had no strength and was exhausted and depressed. I was also angry and sorry. We’re being hit by a hard drive I was not prepared for. I am over 40 years old, think of those who are half as old, who do not have that life experience and resistance in them.

Interrogation-like methods

He describes parts of his stay as a kind of prison camp, where he was subjected to a series of trials – combined with hard work and little food. He also describes interrogation-like methods that lasted up to an hour, where he was cross-examined and driven hard.

– I am handy and can handle a lot, but would also describe myself as a sensitive guy.

– But I was driven hard, exposed to harsh treatment and questioning tirades that could be reminiscent of an interrogation. I’m not blaming the people on the set, neither the participants nor the crew. We talked to a psychologist, and were taken care of, but I still react to the setting.

An edited reality

In the recent book “The Inventor” by Bjørn Arild Ersland, he devotes an entire section to “The Farm”. There he describes reality shows as the most unreliable genre one can embark on.

“I have been completely relaxed since I came out of the Farm farm, the weeks there actually broke me,” he says in the book.

He claims that the genre is not a documentary, although it gives the impression of it.

– “The farm” moves far away from reality. Participants are caricatured. Reality is edited and changed from night to day – turned upside down. Some are portrayed as witches, others as snow-white, assholes, villains or kind – all depending on how to make good and entertaining television, says Tesaker.

Misses ethical framework

When he saw “Farmen kjendis” – which aired on TV 2 earlier this year, and finally revealed that he went to the top and won – he became unwell. Emotions rolled up in him again. He was unsure and excited about how it was all presented.

– I was completely jelly when the series went on TV this spring.

– I got trauma. And think, “Farmen” is the kindest boy in the class. There are other reality shows that are far cruder.

– What do you need, do you think?

– There is no ethical framework for such TV productions.

– The press has the “Be careful” poster, something similar should reality TV have. They re-edit reality. I have met many who have been on reality shows, and they say the same thing, and talk about bad feelings and horrible experiences.

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Tesaker emphasizes that all participants were nice people, but that it is the concept that lacks an ethical framework.

– It must be in place, he thinks.

TV 2 responds to the criticism

The Farmen concept is that the participants live in isolation and must relate to each other in a group, for better or worse, points out the program editor of TV 2, Kathrine Haldorsen:

– This can be tough for some, and we have a great understanding that Erik Alfred experienced the relationship with some of the other participants as difficult.

The “Farm” recording stopped

– On the other hand, we do not recognize ourselves in Erik Alfred’s claim that we construct stories almost at will. We simplify and shorten when necessary, but we do not tell stories for which there is no basis. The truth is that we often drop talking about conflicts where it is not possible to shed light on both sides of the issue.

TV 2 states that their principle is that there should be a “right of reply” if someone is exposed to criticism.

– This is one of the reasons why we interview the participants all the way about what happens in reality. Not to cultivate conflicts, but to explain them to the viewers, says program editor in TV 2 Kathrine Haldorsen.

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