RVK Newscast 225: This Is The End - Valur And Pollý Bid Farewell 

Whoever made this decision is an absolute idiot. This show was a magical combination of people, personality and place, and to stop it now is utter utter madness. It just will not be the same without Valur and Polly (Art we love you but you’re staying lol) and although Josie is great, it’s just not the same. Sorry Josie, no offence to you at all, you’re lovely, but Valur and Polly are just unique and special. Valur, if someone hasn’t snapped you up and given you your own platform, stolen Art and are allowing you to make whatever stories you like by the end of December, then there are no sane investors/creators/business people left in Iceland and all hope for the island is lost 😂. But we have faith that your inbox will be full of offers, and we’ll hope to see you on your own channel very soon. We started watching, ironically, just as you started making these vlogs. Had no idea about the Grapevine before you started them. It was a genius decision. You are a genuinely lovely person with a straightforward and engaging personality, and your loss from RU-vid would be appalling. I hope you start your own channel and continue doing something you were born to do. You belong right where you’ve been, in front of the camera with Polly, educating, informing and entertaining us about all things Iceland. We’ve loved watching you and are genuinely gutted at this news. We’ll cross everything and hope to see you soon. Be well, Valur. Stroke Polly for us, and thank Art. 😢

Oh No!!!...Valur... the thought of you leaving...is like losing a member of family...there is simply no one who can take your place...nor Polly's either...this was truly a unique channel...no words to convey the loss Much love from Scotland...😭😭😭

NOOOOOOOO - I rely on you and Polly for my regular Icelandic news and cheer. I don't think I'll be interested in a different format or approach. Your walks and talks juts bring me back to Iceland, and your eloquent descriptions and analysis make me feel I am listening to a friend. This is such a bummer. I wish you well from California.

A “Walk with Polly” is way beyond journalism-it is art. Beautifully done! Bravo!

Nooo! This is depressing. They are making a big mistake. You and Polly made Grapevine what it is today. After my trip to Iceland was canceled in 2020, I loved watching your walks and talks around Iceland. I depend on the unbiased Icelandic view of American news. I look forward to your twice weekly vlogs. I will be lost without it. Please consider your own channel that features places to go in Iceland. Grapevine has a big following because of YOU and the excellent job you did showing your amazing country and landmarks. The volcano vlogs were some of the best reporting I’ve ever seen. Good luck in your future endeavors but please come back and don’t leave us. Your fans would miss you and Polly too much. 😢 And thank you and Art and Polly for entertaining us.

I'm not crying, it's just dusty in here. You helped keep me (relatively) sane as the plague raged. Your volcano reportage & Art's footage were exquisite. Thank you so much for all your hard work. All blessings to you and Pollý, and your miraculous Iceland.

Nooooo!!!! Valur and Polly you will be missed!

This news has left me bereft. The RKV Newscasts have been a highlight during the difficult and uncertain times we've all been living through since they were launched. They inspired me to return to Iceland this summer and I'm so glad I was able to join a tour and to meet Valur, Bjartmar and Polly while I was in Reykjavik. Many thanks to Valur, Art and Polly for the Icelandic insights, astonishing images and straight-up entertainment you've given us in the Newscasts and best wishes with whatever comes next.

Well, we can not be more upset, saddened and disappointed. If this was not Valur's choice it is a huge mistake! What are they thinking? As so many others have said, Valur, Polly and Art are why we are here week after week.Valur, you are a gem. Your humor, honesty, calm news delivery and love for dear Polly are just a few reasons we have been so charmed by you. You will be greatly missed ❤️ M&G from New Hampshire USA

NO WAY!!!! This is just insane!!! I can’t believe The Reykjavík Grapevine is doing this!!! Valur and Polly are the best!!! It will be the RG’s loss. I can only hope Valur and Polly will get an offer in the near future they can’t refuse! Thank you Valur and Polly for all the good times! You will both be missed more than you’ll ever know! Please stay in touch however you can. Sending best wishes for you and Polly from Oregon. 🇺🇸

You are family to us. What will we do without you, Art and Polly 😢 good luck in your new career. Thank you for your interesting and funny newscasts.

Anyone else just revisit these because Valur and Pólly held your mental health together during the pandemic and it’s nostalgic and comforting to listen to him chatter? 😢

Many, many thanks. These newscasts made the pandemic bearable...

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱TERRIBLE NEWS!!!!!!! Thanks so much for so many hours of news, conversation, sightseeing fun, humour etcetcetc.😭😭😭😭😭

Valur and Polly! Thanks for the memories guys! It was fun and you will be greatly missed (UK)

My wife and I discovered this channel during the pandemic and looked forward to these videos so much while we were staying at home, not travelling anywhere, etc. We've always wanted to visit Iceland someday and these videos made us want to visit even more. We kept watching because of Valur and Polly, something good and wholesome when often the news can be so negative.

I wish you and your friends who are leaving, and Polly, the very best in whatever you do. But, boy, this is so very sad for me. You have been kind of a lifeline in a way and I will always be grateful for all the Grapevine Newscasts and for all I've learned about Iceland. I will miss you more than you can probably imagine.

Thank you all so much for your incredible contribution … to say that you will be missed is an understatement. All the best. 🥰 Hugs from Down Under.

Valur, thanks for all man. I’ve learned so much about Iceland and it’s people so thank you. Just remember, there is always an new chapter! Thanks again!

I will always be grateful to Valur and the Reykjavík Grapevine for introducing us to Iceland. It took a lot of courage to start these newscasts. You took the opportunity of the volcano and made us feel part of something bigger. Thank you and all the best Valur in your future endeavors.

This is Ragnarók! The End of Days! The Apocalypse! Absolutely gutted - Iceland’s two greatest ambassadors are moving on. Thanks for sharing your awesome country with us, you’ve done more for Iceland than any number of expensive advertising campaigns. Whatever you do next - good luck, And please pass on all our best wishes to Andie Sophia for all of her contributions over the years. Whatever happens, stay awesome and be true to yourself. PS. You still owe me a drink :)

This news certainly came as a huge shock!!! Valur, both yourself and Moral Officer Pollý have become a part of my life for quite sometime now and I'm at a loss for words to express how grateful I am for your great videos that covered an array of topics and opened up many of us from other countries to the news in Iceland but to the culture as well. With Art also, you three should receive an award from the Icelandic Tourist Bureau for opening up your country to those of us who don't get to hear what is happening on the other side of the globe - literally. I'm quite sure that many have been changing their usual travel destinations to investigate Iceland instead, as you've shown your love for the country in each video you've produced and made it sound so intriguing with your Supernatural Series and other stories from your homeland. I'm going to miss both you and Pollý terribly and wish you well in your next career move. I do think that cancelling the tours is a mistake, yet can understand that other people have their own idea on which direction to take this venture. I won't be unsubscribing just yet and will give the next presenter a fair chance, but they will have very big shoes and paws to fill. So sorry to be seeing the end of something that was so great.😢 I'm so grateful for all that you've taught me about your beautiful homeland and I long for the day that I finally get to come. With much love and thanks, Kris.🇦🇺💖🕊

Sad to see you leave, your style of presentation I found always to be naturally interesting, straight honest and unique. You brought a lot of "daily life" background information about people and things in Iceland to me, which I always appreciated very much. All the best for the future!

Valur and Polly made the Reykjavik Grapevine on youtube! We will miss them greatly and would not have watched without them during the volcano and since. We are incredibly sad! Only a native Icelander can give this perspective. I hope you will go on to better things and continue your global reach Valur!

I felt an honest connection with you and Polly. She's a sweetheart. I have an Icelandic sheepdog. I have never experienced journalism as honest as you have presented it. Maybe that was the reason. It usually is. From Danmark

Valur and Andie you are National Treasures - I hope you realise how important you both have been to so many people “in so many ways”. Please consider setting up your own channel(s) so we can continue to hear your voices and insights “and what not” and take us on your travels. Respect to all at the Grapevine but there is room for you all. Much love to you Valur, Andie and Polly - “and so, till the next time ……..” ❤

Wow. This hit me a lot harder than I could ever have expected it to. You and Polly have grown quite dear to my heart. I feel a certain friendship with you. So, as a friend, I must tell you... Never underestimate how absolutely magnetic you are. And it's because you are genuine! That alone will bring so many more amazing opportunities your way! Ironic that it's thanksgiving here in America... with that said, I'm reminded to always appreciate what you are thankful for, because you never know when it will be gone! Best wishes! ...and I promise to not abandon the rest of the grapevine's greatest! 💜✌😁

Good luck in your new opportunity ! Your show was very informative ; many of us were waiting just to see and listen to your wonderful funny presentation and many of us Came To Visit Your country after listening to Your presentation !!!! We All will Miss You Value and lovely joyful Polly. Thank you Valur.

Thank you to you, Polly and Andie Sophia for keeping us in touch with Iceland over the years. You will be very missed.

I am devastated by your sad news, Valur. You and Polly have been welcome and regular guests virtually since the pandemic. Meeting you and Polly was on my bucket list. You are one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable. I hope you will form your own RU-vid channel. Much love to Polly...she has certainly kept my morale going. From Louisville, Kentucky.

You and the Chief Morale Officer will be missed.

I keep watching all the old Newscasts, mainly as a diversion. Valur, Art, and Polly, really miss your videos. They've always been a source of positivity in such a negative world. A daily dose of Polly is needed more than ever.

To say I'm disappointed would be a massive understatement. Grapevine is a true bastion of truth in reporting. Friendly, comforting, honest, respectful, even a bit edgy at times, this is how to communicate! Shame on the "Brain trust" who are behind the decision to make you leave. Clearly their ego's are fragile... While you are getting your words on paper - how about a production company delivering more reasons for all of us to visit Iceland! If not; how about a "Minister of Tourism badge"? Certainly you can't do worse than the stuffed shirts feeding us tourists more pretty scenery. I'm from Canada... the last thing I would visit Iceland for is the scenery, but I am planning to visit because of your people, your unique lifestyles, and the never ending striving for excellence. To Valur, Art, and Polly - thank you for the stories and entertainment!

We will always MISS YOU AND POLLY!😭😭😭😭😭💖💖💖💖🐾🐾🐾🐾🐶🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Today I was thinking about the fact that nothing in life is for eternity, that everything changes in this universe, I thought about changes, life and death- and I got sort of sad. Now I watch this video, and I´m almost crying! Best wishes for all of you- and thank you so much for all this wonderful moments you gave us, especially of course the whole Fagradalsfall-story!! Thanks, Valur!! :-((

Valur, I have dreaded this day since I watched my first episode of Grapevine. This literally brings tears to my eyes. I must admit, it will be very difficult to continue to watch without you and Polly. If your company was smart they would retain you for the News/RU-vid side of the business. This is heartbreaking. 😪

I'm a whole lot of sad to be saying good bye to you Valur and Polly. Iceland is a place that I have always wanted to go to and I feel like I have been there. Thank you for being the Chief of Morale Officer Polly and mostly thank you Valur for sharing wonderful Iceland with us. Thank you for getting us through this awful pandemic by giving us something to look forward to. We WILL miss you. New chapters are always the best! Wishing you huge success in your new adventures.

I've been sitting with this for a couple of days. I've left myself subscribed but unjoined the premium part of the channel. But here's the thing: If Valur didn't choose this, then whoever did made a very large mistake. Valur talks about how we, the viewers, saved the paper. Well, that's just because Valur and Polly are so charming, and we could hear an Icelander's point of view on the news of the world. So we stuck with you, enjoyed hearing about all the news and learning more each week about the culture. How is a Canadian going to fill those shoes. And I do love Josey Anne, but she also isn't Icelandic. I think you will find that your members will shrink immediately and your subscribers will fall away as that magic combination of cute dog and intelligent Icelandic person are missing from your Newscasts. If it's true that we saved the Grapevine, then we can unsave it, and I think that's just what will happen now. I wish Valur and Polly the very best and hope I can meet up with them again next year when I visit Iceland again. And I wish that the owners of the paper would reconsider this very short-sighted decision.

So, so sad to see you & Andie going (& Pollý auðvitað!), you will be so missed, all your broadcasts have really been a staple of our lives since before the lockdown. Wishing all of you all the very best for your futures - I was so glad to catch up with you, Josie and Art for a last visit last week. Now I need to look out for your novels!!

Thanks Valur and Polly, will miss your posts! All the best 💓

RVK, Valur and Polly are true gems I discovered during the pandemic concurrent with the volcano. You all are such a creative way to cover local (and volcanic news) You made the pandemic so much more joyful, meaningful, and bearable. Much gratitude and admiration from USA.

It was a honour listening to you! ❤

One of the things I've enjoyed is hearing about Iceland from an Icelander. If all I wanted was someone reading the news from Iceland I could find that any number of places. What set you apart was the passion behind the presentation, which came naturally. Wherever you land I am sure they are the more fortunate ones.

Thank you so much Valur and Polly! You will both be missed. We've enjoyed your walks and talks bringing all things Iceland to those of us who live far away but love your country. If you change your mind and decide to have a youtube channel, it will be welcomed by all of us.

I found your channel while looking for information on the volcano. I learned so much more about Iceland from your stories. I look forward to seeing you and Polly each week and learning about the past and present of Iceland. You will be missed Valur and Polly. Good luck with your future plans.

This is not right! Valur, Polly and Art made this channel which grew as family, and now has been broken up. Valur and Polly will be very much missed! No matter how you get your news, it was always the personal touch and in depth views that made this so good to watch. The walks will not be the same and cannot be replaced!

This is heartbreaking news, you will both be greatly missed.

Will miss you, Valur and Polly 😢❤

Oh no!! You will all be sadly missed by so many people! Thankyou so much for bringing Iceland into all of our home, and wishing each and every one of you a very happy and successful future with as many frisbees and balls as Polly can catch 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Valur, thank you for showing us your Nation and its volcanos, Thank you so very much.

Thank you for sharing your country and Polly with us. It has been fun to watch. Wishing you well.

Wishing you Valur the best for the future, really enjoyed the videos, and all the news and gossip from Iceland

Valur you are the voice of Iceland!! You can't leave! Before you I knew nothing about Iceland, you have kept me fascinated by everything there. You brought all the news about the Volcano and much more. You told us everything in your own charismatic way, so interesting, informative. Your personality is what's kept me subscribed, you are a LEGEND! I will miss you and Polly, this the end of an era. I hope you will start your own RU-vid channel, I will definitely be watching. Take care, wish you all the best, and thank you for your hard work. 😁👏

Hey Valur - it's important to be honest with yourself - your English is amazing - I was in Iceland in 2006 - it is the most beautiful, amazing country on Earth - thank you for all you have done for us - I'm from Australia - your country will always be in my heart - bless you and Polly

Beautifully Done Valur. Thank You

Farewell, Dream Team... My son and I have been watching for the last three years and always looked forward to seeing what Valur, Polly, and Art were up to. I went to Iceland in 2019 and was planning to return with my son in 2023. #1 on our Reykjavik list was Valur's tour and a chance to throw for Polly. We were hooked by the Icelandic perspective, Polly's antics, Valur's affability (and reporting), and Art's art. Isn't that what an investor wants? Viewers and readers who tune in week after week (volcanic eruption or not)? A loyal base? We really feel as if we've lost a couple of friends--not to mention a window into the real Iceland and Icelandic perspective. Thank you for all the joy (and news) you've brought to us and so many others, Valur and Polly (and Andie)! We hope you'll consider starting your own channel to continue offering the Icelandic perspective to those of us who feel connected to the country--and prefer a view into it that isn't "touched up."

the end of an era! best wishes in all your new adventures, Valur and Pollý, and Andie as well!

This is a sad day. I've been watching you and Pollý since the beginning of the first Fagradalsfjall eruption, and have learned so much about Iceland, its history, culture, and geography. Your style of presenting is refreshing. It's honest, well-informed, and presented in a casual, friendly manner, and the irrepressible Pollý always adds to the entertainment and lifts my spirit. As a direct result of your presenting, I've spent about £400 in your shop, and would never have experienced the wonderful black and burnt barley chocolate. It takes a special kind of idiot to let someone like you go. I'll give the new leadership a fair chance, but you'll be a hard act to follow. I really wish you well in whatever you go on to do. For many of us, you are the face of Iceland, and you've been a great ambassador for your country. I'm sure will do well in whatever you do. I'm going to miss you, farewell my friend.

It was a beautiful time with you and Polly! You’ll be missed!

I didn't know Iceland before you started to show us the volcanos.I have been watching you constantly. I'm retired and I don't have the means to come meet you. You will be Missed! Thank you for all you have done. ICELAND should Thank you. Be well and Happy 😊 From California and the USA THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

I very much enjoyed your Volcanocasts Valur, which is how I learned about the Grapevine. You will be missed. Good luck to you and the Grapevine as you go your separate ways 💔

This has been a huge loss. This was my favorite RU-vid channel. I cannot get over it…. You are dearly missed.

This makes me very sad. It's like losing two dear friends. I've been watching from Casper, Wyoming since the volcano began erupting the first time. All the best to Valur and Polly in whatever the future holds for them. They will be greatly missed.

........and Art maintains his anonymity. Lol. Thanks Valur for a wonderfully entertaining show and good luck for the future.

Valur, Polly and Andie Sophia, I wish you all the best in your new adventures and hopefully, you will pop back up on RU-vid very soon. Whoever has made these changes to the Grapevine have underestimated the importance of Valur, Polly and Art to the subscriptions this website receives. When they go, the money will go with them.

This is a very sad day for me and all the other viewers. The end of an era for sure. I cannot say enough how much I loved all the videos with Valur, Polly, Art and all the other presenters. I hope Valur and Polly will post lots of adventures on Instagram and Facebook. We will miss you!!❤️❤️❤️❤️ From 🇨🇦

So sad that Valur and Polly are quitting the Newscast. They were (both) very charismatic and it was a joy watching the newscasts. Wishing them the best!

Noooo sorry to hear this was a brilliant ride information ball throwing and amazing scenery what a legend…..you and Polly dog will be greatly missed 🙏🙏🙏😎

Very sad news and rather grim prospects for Grapevine News. A good news anchor is a treasure one has to cherish, not replace. Many news companies across the globe learned it hard way. Most of Grapevine's viewers don't really need to have Icelandic news in their life, they were here because of an outstanding host and his cute dog. All the best to Valur!

This is devastating news! I will really miss you Valur and Polly and Andie Sophia. I went on the Grapevine tour in May and I loved it. You will all be greatly missed. Thank you for bringing Iceland into my home and best wishes to you all 😭 ❤

You will be missed. Thank you so much for all the fantastic and honest news. Keep on going. 👌👌👌

What a pity! I loved your view on happenings, your Icelandic approach, your humor, your knowledge of your country, something even a good journalist from somewhere else will never be able to offer. I'm staying anyway, one has to give others a chance, but I'll be missing you and Polly. All the best for your future projects

You and Polly ARE the reason why subscribed. Not any more.

Thank You for allowing us to Join you on your journeys throughout Iceland, Appreciate all your time and energy and Polly too. I wish you well on your new Adventure and Hope to see you again.

Thank you Valur and Polly, We will miss both your entertaining and very informative videos. Wish you all the best. You taught us a lot about the life and culture of Iceland. We look forward to visiting one day. Good luck and thanks a million.

Valur and Polly are a unique and interesting duo. Really hope you find a way to stay on RU-vid somehow.

Best wishes to you. You gave these videos heart and soul. Believe me, you will be missed by thousands.

You say we helped you survive the pandemic? Well, watching you helped ME survive the pandemic! Love you, man, keep on being brilliant! And now I'm going to go cry...

Valur, no one ran a channel like you. You brought us closer to Iceland like no other before. For this sensational cameraman - acrobat. Especially in this episode, he kept in suspense whether he would fall into a crevasse or break his leg. And beloved and reliable Polly, full of energy and joy of life. Thank you for hiking through the volcano, covid, icelandic news and traditions. I will miss you, I hope (probably not only me) that you will come back. Greetings from Poland

I'm very sorry about this. Despite your gracious words, it sounds as though the CEO of the Reykjavik Grapevine has caused a major journalism disaster. The new staff members might be excellent, but I bet they won't be nearly as enjoyable to watch as you and Polly are. I'll give them a chance. They have a hard act to follow. I wish you all the best Valur (and - of course - Polly too). I hope your writing career flourishes.

Noooooo!!!! We’ve been watching RVK Newscast from Brazil since the first eruption of the vulcano and Valur and Polly are the reason we watch it!

I still don’t know why he’s leaving. I have a feeling they are going to regret this change. We’ll be there when they figure it out - we love you Valur and Polly.

It has been two months since this video aired, and we miss you (Valur and Polly) just as much.

Damn it Valur! You and Polly are gonna be really badly missed! You guys (and the volcano) were a hugely welcome presence during the pandemic. Please never underestimate your effect during those trying times. I'd wager that you personally switched on to Iceland many more people than your entire population. I think questions should be asked in parliament about this dastardly Canadian usurper :-)

I will miss your wonderful sense of humor, Polli's energy and all you share about the world and Iceland in particular

Oh, Valur, Art and Polly, how sad ... you can't leave us. Please continue on your own YT or Other source. We really appreciated you 3. You are special to us outlanders.. 🇺🇸 You can do this🙏💙 You have shown us your beautiful island and it was wonderful. Thank you.

Nooooooooo. SAD Day. I do wish you well tho.. I hope to see you both again one day. 💙🐕💜

No, no, no… This cannot be! 🤔 Like many, I stumbled across this channel while looking for news on the volcano. And like many, I stayed - held from departing by your engaging presentation. But now, after nearly two years, it is all over? So greetings and farewell from the UK - to Polly and her assistant presenter, Valur (of course)!

Valur you will be missed on the show. It was truly a joy to watch you and Polly and to hear your point of view. Best wishes to you and lot of success, you will I am sure be great😃 at whatever you do. 🖐🖐

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful ending: Valur And Pollý walking away, with only the sound of the wind in the background. Then one last Valur chuckle. Perfect. And it didn't escape my attention that you were walking on the lava. I mean, it's the last video, so why not? 😂 Well, Valur, thanks for everything. I'm sure whatever you do next, you'll be a great success.

Thank you so much Valur and Polly for all you have done. I have so enjoyed your Grapevine presentations and cannot believe that anyone can think that it will be better without the pair of you. So much of the appeal of Grapevine for me was you, your presentation style and character and the fact that you were Icelandic and not someone from outside Iceland. Very best wishes for the future and I do hope that we do get to see you again.

You're incredibly classy, Thank you for all you have done through two volcanos and bring Icelandic culture to us. I miss you and Polly already.

Wishing you the very best Valur, thank you for being you. Loved seeing Art at the end - the humour of only seeing part of you both as you hugged, certainly lifted the mood for me as Valur and THE morale officer will be very much missed.

I am so sad, and will miss Valur and Poli much. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a wonderful life to you, both, and family, and friends. As long as I live, I will remember how much you've brought so much goodness and news of Iceland to my life, thank you! 😎🥂👍

Sad not to be able to see you and Polly anymore. Good luck in the future.

It was a pleasure to hear your voice telling us your experience from Iceland. Thank you! :)

Thank you for all the wonderful posts you have shared with the world over the years. I wish you much-continued success in your future endeavors. You and Polly and your staff will be missed. We will keep you in our thoughts even if we don't see or hear you. 🤗❤

Oh no, you two are my favorite to watch. You will be greatly missed.🤗

Valur, you certainly will be missed by all of us. Your dedication in bringing excellent newscasts and unique insight about Iceland and its people is exemplary. A most sincere thank you. I wish you all the best in your new endeavour.

You and Polly are the main reasons I watch your newscasts. I will miss both of you and your positive attitudes. I will have to see if I like the changes enough to continue as a subscriber. Best wishes to you and Polly on your new adventure.