The Boss is a fan of Lilyhammer
Springsteen (left) and Steven Van Zandt performing at Super Bowl XLIII.
And in Norway, the premiere episode lured in over a million viewers.
Bruce Springsteen (62) was one of the excited spectators at the New York premiere of bandmate Steven Van Zandt’s (61) new project, the Norwegian drama series “Lilyhammer.”
And Springsteen liked what he saw. Netflix, who bought the series, put on sneak previews in New York Wednesday.
“I loved it, it was fun,” said a satisfied Springsteen to the site Speakeasy.
“It was fun to see my buddy,” said the rock veteran, referring to the American protagonist in NRK’s latest major investment, Steven Van Zandt.
In “Lilyhammer,” which premiered in Norway Wednesday, January 25, Van Zandt – or Little Steven as he is also known – plays a mafia boss who seeks asylum in Lillehammer.
Little Steven, the guitarist in Springsteen’s E Street Band and former actor in the “Sopranos,” was of course present at the premiere. With him was his wife Maureen.
The actor joked to the press about how the budget for “Lilyhammer” is at the level of food expenditures in the American TV series “Boardwalk Empire.”
The Daily Mail also discussed the Norwegian series’ New York premiere.
Other celebrities who were curious about the Norwegian drama initiative with the American star included musician Tony Bennett and actresses Chloe Sevigny and Vincent Pastore.
The TV-series, which sparked discussion in Norway when it was delayed because of illegal product placement, tempted many to watch it when it finally premiered.
998,000 tuned into the first episode. This is the highest ever viewing figures for a Norwegian drama premiere. And February 1 saw even greate success. 1,024,000 watched episode two, according to NRK.
Among the show’s fans is Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who wrote on his Facebook page before yesterday’s second episode:
“Looking forward to tonight’s episode of Lilyhammer on NRK. Good Norwegian entertainment. ”
Trond Fausa Aurvåg, Steinar Sagen, Sven Nordin and Lisa Saastad Ottesen are the Norwegian stars of the series, which is filmed in Lillehammer.
“Lilyhammer” appears on Netflix in the United States February 6.
To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (800) 305-0271.
