Famous Danish children's performer targeted by 'coordinated' threats of violence
Onkel Reje (yes, that's 'Uncle Shrimp') has been a staple of Danish children's TV since 2013. But now, the comic behind the character has cancelled public appearances due to an elaborate campaign of social media harassment, including actionable threats of violence.
Onkel Reje is an incorrigible scamp on his DR show — according to the Wikipedia article on the programme, he gives consistently bad advice and "curses, but only in Danish" (as though that's a mitigating factor?). To experience the aesthetic, here's Onkel Reje singing his relatable classic, 'Jeg ka’ ikke li’ at gå i bad' — 'I don't like taking a shower.'
He's part of the same proud Danish tradition of confusing adult male characters pitched to children as John Dillermand, the mustachioed buffoon who gets in and out of shenanigans with his prehensile, extendible penis.
But unlike Dillermand, who is clay-mation, there's a real man behind Onkel Reje's beard and pipe — comic Mads Gertsen. And according to broadcaster DR, Gertsen has experienced such a coordinated campaign of violent threats in recent weeks that he's had to cancel public appearances.
READ MORE: Why has Denmark made a children's TV show about the 'world's longest penis?'
"Mads and his character Onkel Reje are currently under attack, which we strongly condemn," Morten Skov, head of Children's programming at DR, told newspaper Berlingske. "It consists of distorted and baseless accusations, but also of gross threats and harassment."
DR representatives have not specified the nature of the social media harassment or allegations but did say the matter has been reported to the police. "We are used to receiving criticism and complaints. But this is of a different nature," Skov said. "We have not experienced anything on the same level as this."
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Onkel Reje is an incorrigible scamp on his DR show — according to the Wikipedia article on the programme, he gives consistently bad advice and "curses, but only in Danish" (as though that's a mitigating factor?). To experience the aesthetic, here's Onkel Reje singing his relatable classic, 'Jeg ka’ ikke li’ at gå i bad' — 'I don't like taking a shower.'
He's part of the same proud Danish tradition of confusing adult male characters pitched to children as John Dillermand, the mustachioed buffoon who gets in and out of shenanigans with his prehensile, extendible penis.
But unlike Dillermand, who is clay-mation, there's a real man behind Onkel Reje's beard and pipe — comic Mads Gertsen. And according to broadcaster DR, Gertsen has experienced such a coordinated campaign of violent threats in recent weeks that he's had to cancel public appearances.
READ MORE: Why has Denmark made a children's TV show about the 'world's longest penis?'
"Mads and his character Onkel Reje are currently under attack, which we strongly condemn," Morten Skov, head of Children's programming at DR, told newspaper Berlingske. "It consists of distorted and baseless accusations, but also of gross threats and harassment."
DR representatives have not specified the nature of the social media harassment or allegations but did say the matter has been reported to the police. "We are used to receiving criticism and complaints. But this is of a different nature," Skov said. "We have not experienced anything on the same level as this."
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