Trond Harr (81) entered the limelight in earnest in 2006, when he took a seat as a judge in “Skal vi danse” in prime time.
Now he opens the doors to his 200 square meter apartment at Majorstuen in Oslo. He has lived here for 28 years.
On a rainy October day, Dagbladet sits down on the couch of the dance expert, who proudly displays photos from the “old days”.
Among the pastries and teacups is a photograph of him together with Tor Fløysvik (76), Trine Dehli Cleve (64) and Christer Tornell (62) – the four-leaf clover who judged season three of the program together.
– I was happy. I was the big amateur. The other judges did it as a competitive sport, and helped to bring glory to Norwegian dance.
– Not many people know
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Trond has danced all his life, but not as a professional. He has worked to get dance approved as a sport – and succeeded. Eventually he also became a judge.
– Not allowed
It is almost 20 years since Trond was part of the “Shall we dance” universe – and he says that he is still recognized on the streets.
The dance legend has not given up judging completely either. Over the years, he has sat in front of the TV with a large notepad and given his own points to the participants.
The development of the program is something he has noticed. It is not quite as it was before, he believes.
– There is a lot of jumping and bouncing and hooting and hooting.
The 81-year-old believes that it has become difficult to distinguish the different dance styles.
– These standard fees belong to the exception. Now they run around. If you use a very sharp eye, you might be able to see what style it is, but many things that are done are not allowed in the sport.
– When I see what is shown on stage today, I would like to be among those judges.
Got slaughtered: – Feels tough
For Trond, it was important to judge by theory. He still watches old broadcasts, saved on DVD.
He believes the judges should have a background from the parquet, not the stage. This year’s judging panel consists of Cengiz Al (28), Merete Mørk Lingjærde (63), Nadya Khamitskaya (42) and Jan Thomas (58).
WRONG: Merete Lingjærde had a blast when Tale Torjussen was to get the year’s first point during the “Shall we dance” premiere. Pictures from TV 2.
In front of Dagbladet, he wonders if the program should change its name:
– It shouldn’t be called “Shall we dance” anymore. It is dance, but it is not the sport that I represent.
– What should the program be called?
– Artistry, answers the refereeing legend.
Nevertheless, he appreciates the entertainment:
– It’s funny. When you get older, you have to expect things to change.
Early start
Underneath the picture of the four judges on the living room table, there are black and white photos that were taken long before his TV career.
The interest in dance started early. After the war, the dance judge and his family lived at Sinsen in Oslo, by the restaurant Rendezvous, also called Renna.
Unlike his brothers, football and skiing were not for little Trond, who instead took the tram with the girl next door to Ullevål to go to dance training.
– There has been very little sport in my life, other than dancing.
– Dance flourished when I was active, now dance is not as big as before, he points out.
“SHALL WE DANCE”: Viggo Venn reveals that he went behind the back of the production already in the first episode. Video: “Shall we dance”/TV 2
– Love it
Trond lives alone in the large apartment in the capital. During the conversation with Dagbladet, however, he does not sit by himself. One of his closest friends, Jon Arne Arnseth (38), is also seated in the armchair next to him.
The friends met 13 years ago at the fruit counter at Meny. For a short period they also lived together, when Jon Arne was between two apartments.
The duo tells of several nice moments together, parties and trips. In all the stories, dance appears as an important rallying point.
The hearing is not the same as before, but the steps are still in place. Although Trond points out that dancing is not so popular among young people anymore, his friend Jon Arne tells him that the 81-year-old is the star if they go out on the town together.
– If I bring Trond with me on the town and he starts a few dance steps – damn how popular he will be. People love it, says Jon Arne, and continues with a laugh:
– But I can’t dance, so it’s been a little annoying
Up from his chair, he proudly shows off both his dance steps and his large collection of pictures and statues of Nefertiti to Dagbladet.
– She is the lady in my life, he says of the Egyptian queen.
Honored
Earlier this year, he was honored for his lifelong effort and involvement in Norwegian and international dance, and was surprised with the Norwegian Sports Confederation’s medal of honour.
– When I received the award I thought: “Could it be undeserved?”, says Trond and says that it was all a big surprise.
– We are very proud of that, everyone who knows you, Jon Arne chimes in.
Trond has been both a sports dancer, an international dance judge and a dance coach for amateurs. He has also held several positions in the Norwegian Dance Association.
He took part in the first three seasons of “Skal vi danse”, which premiered on TV 2 back in 2006. All these years later, he is still just as passionate about sports.
