The Danish public broadcaster DR, known as pushing the envelope, cheered feathers with its latest children’s show “John Dillermand”, a comedy about a man whose giant penis gets him in and out of all sorts of trouble .
The program, aimed at children ages 4 to 8, was launched earlier this week for controversy among some journalists and academics who find the series inappropriate for young children. Some claim that the program, whose protagonist’s name is actually a Danish slang word for penis, sends the wrong message to children, as it follows a man who has no control over his genitals.
Further complications are that the launch of the program coincides with Denmark’s first #MeToo movement, which followed the revelation of TV journalist Sofie Linde during an awards program at the end of August that she was a victim of sexual harassment .
However, the defense of the show is Morten Skov Hansen, head of DR’s children’s department, who insists that the series is not about genitals, but ‘to be true to yourself – also your flaws.’ He says the show “also acknowledges the growing curiosity of children about the body: both the things that are embarrassing and the things that are fun.”
“John Dillermand” was developed in collaboration with several professionals, including the child psychologist Margrethe Brun Hansen “who read every script to ensure that children interpret everything in the series as intended”, as well as the Danish organization Sex and Society who were consultants on the Show.
“We always welcome debate on our content. But it is important to try not to look at the program from an adult’s perspective, ‘says Skov Hansen.
‘The program was created for children and is doing the same things as they are. I do not agree with the few critics who regard John Dillermand as sexualized (…) It is as de-sexualized as it can possibly be, ”says the CEO.
According to the DR spokesperson, the first episode of John Dillermand was watched after a braai from afar, and it is a “huge success” for the public broadcaster, which broadcasts the program. on its linear channel and streaming service.
“John Dillermand” also recruited fans, including a range of Danish TV personalities such as Sofie Østergaard, Mads Brügger and Anders Breinholt, as well as the influential Anders Hemmingsen. Skov Hansen says that the series clicked with Danish children “all John Dillermand making snowmen, drawings and dolls and singing songs about him.”
The executive also points out that DR ‘has a proud history of making child content that dares to tackle embarrassment, difficult, quirky and funny topics, and’ John Dillermand ‘falls completely into the tradition. “
While it would be interesting to see if “John Dillermand”‘s Danish humor translates well overseas, the show’s international appeal has yet to be tested. DR’s commercial division, DR Sales, which would sell both the finished tape and the format rights for the program, is not currently repeating the program.