Original Articleby H†kon Moslet (translated by cindy kandolf) The American TV network Fox wants to cut out a-ha. When the channel broadcasts an 80 minute long version of the Nobel Concert this coming Sunday, a-ha's comeback performance in Oslo will be edited out. a-ha chose the Nobel Concert as a comeback arena so they would reach audiences around the world, but now the band's performance will not be shown for the world's largest record buying public. Fox will most likely prioritize opera singer Willard White ahead of the Norwegian 80s heroes, according to a statement by producer Mike Mathis yesterday [Dec. 15]. LOST THE FIGHT "Aren't a-ha well enough known for Americans today?" "Oh yes, I think many Americans remember a-ha. But we have to think about the final mix. Baritone Willard White is the only American on the program, and we think it's more important to have him in the show than a-ha." The Nobel concert will be shown during prime time on Fox Family Channel, Sunday 20 December. The other artists who will be included in the show are English Phil Collins, Irish Cranberries, Spanish Enrique Iglesias and the two Canadian superstars Shania Twain and Alanis Morissette. Yesterday everything indicated that Fox would choose White instead of Harket and company. The final decision will be made Friday or Saturday. NOT GIVING UP a-ha's Norwegian manager, Erling Johannessen, believes Fox is making a big mistake. "This seems to be an extremely bad decision. Especially considering what a fantastic performance a-ha gave at the Nobel concert." Fox' decision will of course cause a-ha to lose an invaluable PR chance, as well as preventing their comeback from being the jumpstart they were hoping for. a-ha is however not giving up because of that. "The band's English manager, Brian Lane, is working extremely hard with all of the big record companies. A video of a-ha's Nobel performance is already on its way to all of the American companies," emphasizes Johannessen. The band's old contract with Warner has expired, and Johannessen assumes that a new worldwide deal will be signed before the end of January. In March and April a-ha will be recording a new album. Both a-ha and Espen Lind will be part of the version of the concert that will be broadcast in Europe.