An ageing king, his clairvoyant daughter and her celebrity shaman – welcome to Norway’s epic reality show | Aslak Nore
We pride ourselves on egalitarianism, but paradoxically we’re still drawn to our dysfunctional royal family. For how much longer?
It should have been an Instagram-perfect wedding image, but it turned out to be something more embarrassing. In the picturesque village of Geiranger, the jewel of Norway’s fjords and a Unesco world heritage site, Princess Märtha Louise was hurried to a tent, covered by sheets to thwart rival photographers. The photo rights of her marriage last weekend to Durek Verrett, an American shaman, had been sold exclusively to Hello! magazine.
Netflix was presumedly present as well because it holds the movie rights to the improbable love story between the princess and the shaman. Whether the newlyweds – infamous for their relentless promotion of pseudo-scientific quackery, royal profiteering and, in Verrett’s case, a belief that he’s a hybrid reptile from Andromeda who can cleanse spiritual imprints in promiscuous women’s vaginas – have found a good fit in Rebecca Chaiklin, the Tiger King director, well, that remains to be seen.
Aslak Nore is a Norwegian author. His latest book is The Sea Cemetery
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...Date: |
-
The Guardian - World
‘The parents asked if we were going to show them having sex’: how Laguna Beach started a reality TV revolution
Two decades ago, MTV executives threw out the script and trained the camera on a bunch of California high-schoolers. ‘Structured reality’ was born, and television hasn’t been the same since. ...9 hours ago -
Los Angeles Times - Entertainment
Pedro Almodóvar's first book, like his movies, blends reality and fiction: 'A fragmentary autobiography'
Pedro Almodóvar's first book consists of a mix of short stories and personal essays that amount to 'a fragmentary autobiography.'9 hours ago -
MarketWatch - Business
‘At times, the pain is unbearable’: My daughter cut me out of her life. I’m conflicted — do I exclude her from my will?
“I scrimped, saved, invested and worked multiple jobs my entire adult life so my children would never have to pay my senior-care medical expenses.”6 hours ago -
Los Angeles Times - Entertainment
Review: Eugene and Dan Levy hosted positive Emmys show themed around age
The hosts of the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards kept things light and avoided the air of self-congratulation that often hangs around such events.12 hours ago -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
New Kings Defender Will Provide Important Element
Newly signed Kings blue liner talks about what he brings to a lineup.2 days ago -
ABC News - Top stories
WATCH: Generative AI helps grieving family remember their daughter
One grieving dad in Taiwan is using generative A.I. to remember his deceased daughter. ABC News' Britt Clennett takes a look at how A.I. is expanding the limits of technology.3 days ago -
The Guardian - World
‘The biggest upset in years’ – why Shōgun’s epic Emmys haul leaves me with a nagging feeling
Yes, Shōgun is majestic TV that is very clearly prestigious with a capital P. But did it really deserve to shut out so many other shows?. Let’s begin with the best news of the year: the great Emmy ...9 hours ago -
BBC News - Top stories
Boulter & Raducanu in GB team for Billie Jean King Cup
Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu are named in the British team for November’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals.5 hours ago -
The New York Times - Lifestyle
National Park Service Celebrates Fashion Week
During fashion month, the N.P.S. has had its employees showing off their various uniform options. One ranger in North Dakota has stood out among his peers.Yesterday
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Sheriff’s office shares video of suspect arrest; FBI says suspect spent 12 hours in tree line of Trump golf club – live
Video posted to Facebook shows the arrest of the man suspected in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump; FBI releases details on manhunt. Suspect charged as Trump accuses Biden and ...25 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Death toll reaches 16 as ‘dramatic’ flooding in central Europe continues
Czech Republic, Poland and Austria fear worst may yet be to come as thousands are evacuated to higher ground. The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in central and eastern Europe has ...1 hour ago -
The Guardian - World
At least 16 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, Palestinian officials say
Five women and four children said to be among dead with strike hitting residential building in crowded Nuseirat camp. Middle East crisis – latest news updates At least 16 people have been ...2 hours ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
French rape trial to resume after Dominique Pélicot health alarm
Trial of retired electrician, 71, and 50 other men had been adjourned while he was taken to hospitals for tests. The trial of Dominique Pélicot and 50 other men accused of rape will resume on ...37 minutes ago - France -
The Guardian - World
More than 200 inmates escape Nigerian prison in aftermath of flooding
Prisoners fled when the walls of their jail collapsed in the country’s worst flooding in two decades. More than 200 inmates escaped from a prison in north-east Nigeria in the aftermath of the ...1 hour ago