Christmas Special 2022

Special synopsis

This two-episode Christmas special of Kongen Befaler was produced in 2022, and was scheduled to air in late December 2022.

However, after Atle Antonsen was investigated over an incident of racist abuse in a Norwegian bar, he stepped down as the host of the show, and a decision was made that the special would not be aired.

Filming of the live studio segments took place at Drammen's Theatre on 13 November 2022.

Just over a year later, with Atle having returned to his role on the show to host season 8, it was announced that this Christmas special would now be aired on the 12th and 14th of December 2023.

The identities of the contestants (three of which had been leaked in 2022) have been confirmed as Stian 'Staysman' Thorbjørnsen, Henrik Ingebrigtsen, Tonje Brenna, Hans Olav Lahlum and Marlene Stavrum.

Special prize

The prize up for grabs in this special is a large golden bauble featuring a picture of Atle Antonsen on his throne.

Notes

• On 28 October 2022, a Kampajne.com article revealed that a two-part Christmas special of Kongen Befaler had been commissioned. The cast was not revealed.
• On 13 November 2022, the Norwegian historian, author, chess player and politician Hans Olav Lahlum disclosed in a Facebook post that he was one of three male contestants who would be appearing on the special, the live studio sessions for which were recording that same day. He named the other two male contestants as the Olympic runner Henrik Ingebrigtsen, and the singer and TV presenter Stian 'Staysman' Thorbjørnsen.
• On 15 November 2022, it was reported that Atle Antonsen had been accused of racially abusing a young black author and social commentator in an Oslo bar, and was under investigation over the incident by the police.
• On 19 November 2022, it was announced that Atle would be stepping down from his role on the show for the planned seventh season, and also that the scheduled Christmas special would not be airing.
• On 17 March 2023, it was reported that Atle Antonsen would be returning as the host of the next season of Kongen Befaler, having been cleared of the criminal charge against him. The possibility of this cancelled Christmas special being aired was not mentioned in media coverage of the announcement.
• On 15 November 2023, it was announced that this special would be aired after the newly-recorded four-episode Christmas Special for 2023, with both specials being broadcast on a schedule of two episodes a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 28 November 2023. The cast for this special was also confirmed as including Stian 'Staysman' Thorbjørnsen, Henrik Ingebrigtsen, Tonje Brenna, Hans Olav Lahlum, and Marlene Stavrum.

Special trailer