Singers report inappropriate comments in “Top of the Pops” – TV 2 opens reexamination
In light of a new DR documentary on sexism in the music industry, TV 2 has decided to re-examine a previously handled case regarding inappropriate comments during the filming of the program “Top of the Pops”. This was announced by TV 2’s program director, Dorthe Thirstrup, in a written comment to Ritzau. The documentary, “Sexism in the Music Industry,” features testimonies from singers Katinka Bjerregaard and Mathilde Falch, who talk about several inappropriate comments from a band member during the production of “Top of the Pops” in 2021. The program aired on TV 2, and both singers subsequently filed complaints with the production company Mastiff. Mastiff stated in the documentary that they conducted an investigation in response to the complaints. This investigation resulted in addressing an “inappropriate culture.” However, TV 2 believes that Mastiff’s handling was inadequate in light of the new information revealed in the DR documentary.
Dorthe Thirstrup stated: “Mistakes have been made in the handling by the production company, and I am truly sorry for the production company’s handling of the complaints from 2021 and the entire process surrounding them. We have also had a long dialogue with the production company afterwards.” Ritzau has tried to get a comment from Mastiff, which, according to the documentary, conducted the investigation in 2023 with the help of an impartial external consultant. Mathilde Falch describes specific episodes in the documentary where the male band member made comments about her appearance and clothing, such as “your ass looks great. Damn those leather pants.” Katinka Bjerregaard recounts an episode where the same band member slid a shiny patent shoe under her dress and said, “now I can see up.”
Dorthe Thirstrup emphasizes the need for TV 2 and their partners to take all reports of boundary-crossing behavior seriously. It is still unclear whether the case will impact whether TV 2 will continue to broadcast “Top of the Pops” in the future. “There are currently no plans for a new season of Top of the Pops. Regardless, we will now revisit the entire process,” says Dorthe Thirstrup.”