This interview is the first instalment of a series in which we follow Anders Breinholt as he makes his transition away from his beloved Natholdet talkshow to an unknown territory of opportunities facilitated by Headlight. Follow along as we explore the outlook, uncertainties, and ambitions for his next big existential move. 

Anders Breinholt's custom-made mobile studio is an important tool for recording his podcasts. The trailer is easy to move around as he explores the far corners of Denmark in search of good stories. 

You meet a lot of very different people. Is there an overarching method to everything you do?

"No matter if I'm at a party or a board meeting, I can talk to everyone. I suppose it comes down to my personality and nature. I am genuinely interested in other people, of course some more than others. I guess I tend to talk too much." 

You're one of the most experienced TV hosts in Denmark. Presumably you have ideas and options at hand. How come you sought out Headlight to figure out where to go next?

"I went to Headlight last year to secure a smooth transition of Natholdet and to define my own goals. I had just pulled out of a planned live show with Sofie Linde because I was too stressed by the enormous work load. Now I must define a new path to take. At Headlight they have their Method. They've assigned me to the responsibility discipline, which is very fitting. Often I am responsible toward others before I take responsibility for myself. This is just one of the personal traits that I've begun working on. I'll try to stay focused here... with all of these thoughts floating around in my mind, how do I stay on track? Holy cow! Look at this! It's snowing like crazy outside." 

He runs to the garden glass door holding up the webcam to display a seasonally appropriate amount of snowfall outside. 

"This is straight out of a Christmas carol, all I need are some gnomes in the garden," he says, laughing excitedly. 

And we're right back at the conversation as if nothing had happened:

"I've been hosting Natholdet for ten years and am very happy with it. Many times I've felt the urge to quit because I was tired of it, sometimes because I need to feed my mind something different. The last few years I have rediscovered the joy of doing it. But I'm 48 now; do I spend the rest of my career playing funny clips on TV? This is why I needed Headlight's help to get this idea out of my head. Once I hand it over, the ship heads out to sea, and I'm left behind saying 'what about me?' That's where I stand right now." 

"He runs to the garden glass door holding up the webcam to display a seasonally appropriate amount of snowfall outside."

What are you hoping to find by seeking new stimuli?

"Erik brought up the subject of me going abroad, he opened a mental pathway for me to take. The idea stirred in my mind, and all of a sudden we had on a piece of paper that I should have my own show on an international platform, with the goal of being on HBO by the spring of 2022. We have also discussed me pulling the plug and going away to just think things over and not really do much. It's the kind of thing I like to think about, but I never really thought it would happen. Now I believe it's possible." 

My briefing for this interview said that you have a tendency to talk a lot and in many directions. Are your thoughts equally chaotic?

"I suppose so. It's rare for me to really immerse myself in something. I've never done that, and maybe I don't need to learn it. But I need some tranquility, so my reasons for ending up where I do are the right ones. Erik has guided me to not fear devaluing myself by walking away from Natholdet, and how to make a convincing argument for my pitch." 

"It's an impulse I have way too often. When I did De Sorte Spejdere with Anders Lund Madsen, we talked about shutting down at least twice a year and moving on to something else. I know it sounds silly, but I also replace my car two times per year. I suppose I'm kind of restless and impatient in all facets of my life, but it has slowed down as I've settled down with my family." 

"The easiest thing to do would be to stay with Natholdet and continue doing my thing there. But that's not what I want. I know Natholdet inside and out. 

When you make a living from being yourself, there are many sycophants. Some people around me nudge me to stay on, telling me I'm so good at it and whatnot. That's flattering, but as the old saying goes, quit while you're ahead."This may sound wrong, but how can I climb higher? I've had my own show for ten years, which is unprecedented in Denmark. I've done every show worth doing, and all the corporate metrics for Natholdet are checked off. So if that were all I'm after, that would be it for me. Luckily that's not the case, and I don't want fame and accolades to be what drives me to my next goal. If I don't succeed with the next thing, so what? I've had all of that already."

"Not too long ago I revisited an old newspaper article from my 40th birthday, and it got me thinking what i want to be remembered by. I just want to entertain; my ambition is not to bring you the news. I pride myself on delivering solid, well-made satirical entertainment. I am who I am, and I will stay that way. I want to work hand in hand with TV2 on my next thing. And no matter if it succeeds or fails, we can stand proudly together and say that we created something we are willing to back up." 

With three-month intervals Headlight Journal will return as the proverbial fly on the wall as Anders Breinholt contemplates his next career step and expands his professional and existential outlook through the Headlight program. Visit our website to learn more about what we do, and sign up for the newsletter to keep track with the article series at weareheadlight.com.

Words by Rasmus Folehave Hansen 
Photos by Christian Friis

This interview is the first instalment of a series in which we follow Anders Breinholt as he makes his transition away from his beloved Natholdet talkshow to an unknown territory of opportunities facilitated by Headlight. Follow along as we explore the outlook, uncertainties, and ambitions for his next big existential move.

He's been on Danish airwaves since his teenage years, which makes Anders Breinholt one of Denmark's most seasoned media personalities. His resumé counts radio with Anders Lund Madsen, Good Morning Denmark, and later his own creation Natholdet – Breinholt's satirical talk show where he and his guests comment on hilarious TV clips and bloopers. It's a simple recipe that has proven wildly successful, but making a living from being yourself isn't all cheers and high fives; the fear of obsolescence is a constant companion of fame in the unforgiving world of big media. One day you're the man, the next you're forgotten. And now it's time for something new. We spoke to Anders Breinholt right on the cusp of his most recent career move away from Natholdet.

Anders Breinholt's custom-made mobile studio is an important tool for recording his podcasts. The trailer is easy to move around as he explores the far corners of Denmark in search of good stories. 

You meet a lot of very different people. Is there an overarching method to everything you do?

"No matter if I'm at a party or a board meeting, I can talk to everyone. I suppose it comes down to my personality and nature. I am genuinely interested in other people, of course some more than others. I guess I tend to talk too much." 

"I went to Headlight last year to secure a smooth transition of Natholdet and to define my own goals. I had just pulled out of a planned live show with Sofie Linde because I was too stressed by the enormous work load. Now I must define a new path to take. At Headlight they have their Method. They've assigned me to the responsibility discipline, which is very fitting. Often I am responsible toward others before I take responsibility for myself. This is just one of the personal traits that I've begun working on. I'll try to stay focused here... with all of these thoughts floating around in my mind, how do I stay on track? Holy cow! Look at this! It's snowing like crazy outside." 

He runs to the garden glass door holding up the webcam to display a seasonally appropriate amount of snowfall outside. 

"This is straight out of a Christmas carol, all I need are some gnomes in the garden," he says, laughing excitedly. 

And we're right back at the conversation as if nothing had happened:

"I've been hosting Natholdet for ten years and am very happy with it. Many times I've felt the urge to quit because I was tired of it, sometimes because I need to feed my mind something different. The last few years I have rediscovered the joy of doing it. But I'm 48 now; do I spend the rest of my career playing funny clips on TV? This is why I needed Headlight's help to get this idea out of my head. Once I hand it over, the ship heads out to sea, and I'm left behind saying 'what about me?' That's where I stand right now." 

"He runs to the garden glass door holding up the webcam to display a seasonally appropriate amount of snowfall outside.”

"As soon as the news gets out, everyone will have all sorts of opinions about it. Not to say that my solution is always the right one, but I'm the type who doesn't like having my plans infringed upon by others. I have been scared to drop the mic; what if people forget me, will they continue working with me?

This is basically what I unloaded on Erik Algreen of Headlight when I first met him in October 2020. 'Don't you worry,' he said. 'It's not that complicated.' But from inside my head it seemed like a total mess. The first part is now in play, in the sense that everyone involved are now along for the ride."

"Erik brought up the subject of me going abroad, he opened a mental pathway for me to take. The idea stirred in my mind, and all of a sudden we had on a piece of paper that I should have my own show on an international platform, with the goal of being on HBO by the spring of 2022. We have also discussed me pulling the plug and going away to just think things over and not really do much. It's the kind of thing I like to think about, but I never really thought it would happen. Now I believe it's possible."

My briefing for this interview said that you have a tendency to talk a lot and in many directions. Are your thoughts equally chaotic?

"I suppose so. It's rare for me to really immerse myself in something. I've never done that, and maybe I don't need to learn it. But I need some tranquility, so my reasons for ending up where I do are the right ones. Erik has guided me to not fear devaluing myself by walking away from Natholdet, and how to make a convincing argument for my pitch."

"It's an impulse I have way too often. When I did De Sorte Spejdere with Anders Lund Madsen, we talked about shutting down at least twice a year and moving on to something else. I know it sounds silly, but I also replace my car two times per year. I suppose I'm kind of restless and impatient in all facets of my life, but it has slowed down as I've settled down with my family." 

What would be the easiest thing for you to do, and what do you expect to gain from taking a different route?

Without knowing the exact details of your next move, how would you define the general criteria for success with whatever it turns out to be?

"Not too long ago I revisited an old newspaper article from my 40th birthday, and it got me thinking what i want to be remembered by. I just want to entertain; my ambition is not to bring you the news. I pride myself on delivering solid, well-made satirical entertainment. I am who I am, and I will stay that way. I want to work hand in hand with TV2 on my next thing. And no matter if it succeeds or fails, we can stand proudly together and say that we created something we are willing to back up."

With three-month intervals Headlight Journal will return as the proverbial fly on the wall as Anders Breinholt contemplates his next career step and expands his professional and existential outlook through the Headlight program. Visit our website to learn more about what we do, and sign up for the newsletter to keep track with the article series at weareheadlight.com.