TV Comedy Show That Got 'Serious'

I'll try to make this uncomplicated.

Germany has a regional public TV network....for the NW part of the country....name is NDR.  NDR runs what I'd call a intellectual-satirical TV program called "Extra 3."

It's been around since 1976....a weekly format...running 45 minutes.  

If you asked the question....yearly, do they ever cross the line and get into trouble?  I'd have to respond....yeah, on a average of probably 3 to 5 times a year.

So....this week....a crew from the show....traveled to Greenland's capital, Nuuk....with comedian Maxi Schafroth.

Chief aim?  Well...they (mostly Maxi) attempted to hoist a US flag outside the local cultural center as part of a filmed stunt intended to mock US policy toward Greenland, particularly referencing past American interest in acquiring the territory. 

Yeah....it probably didn't take more than two or three minutes for local residents to  confront him....halting the situation.  Then a massive amount of anger came out (from the Nuuk folks).

Police ended up being called, and involved.

By the end of the confrontation....Nuuk cops issued a fine to the production team, and an investigation followed. 

No one says much over the investigation....I'm guessing that Danish intelligence is  involved....with EU authorities close behind them.  I'm of the mind that they will just drop this after a week or two....putting the members of the crew on some forbidden to enter list (into Greenland). No....I don't think further charges will occur.

So....this all came back to NDR headquarters, and I'm guessing that ARD (the top dog in running public TV got involved as well).  What NDR said?  Well...they clarified that the action was purely satirical and not meant to offend Greenlanders, then expressing regrets for the pain-and-suffering caused. 

At the end of all this chatter....Nuuk's mayor urged responsible behavior from visiting journalists and creators. 

Yeah, it's a lot of BS....over stupid childish humor by the TV crew. I would imagine they got a long lecture about and how they should never leave the German border to do comedy.

But I sat and pondered two  things.   The crew probably spent near 10,000 Euro for the flight, and hotel....which had to be approved by NDR leadership....so they must have known about the  extent of the show.  Second thing, there is a total disconnect between Europeans and this Greenland topic....with the Greenland residents hyped-up to the max.  If you walked into a German or Italian pub, I think at least half of the people there see the whole Trump thing,  and Greenland discussion as a joke.