[3] On 19 January 2017, Aarebrot reached the age of retirement for academics in Norway, and held his final lecture on 24 April, an event that was televised nationally.

In 2004, together with Norwegian comedian and sociologist Harald Eia and comedians Bård Tufte Johansen and Kristopher Schau, Aarebrot tried to prove Pierre Bourdieus critic of television, claiming that it's not an organ of information, but rather distraction: while Aarebrot and Bård Tufte Johansen led a normal-like TV-discussion about the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu, Kristopher Schau was licking dipmix off of the remaining parts of Aarebrots leg, meant to work as proof of Bordieus ideas, as the viewers most likely wouldn't remember the actual discussion.

[2] Having studied in the United States and lived there for several years, Aarebrot was particularly interested in the politics of the country, and made frequent visits until his death.

During the last decade of his career, he often featured in election coverage on Norwegian television, and wrote several articles on the presidential candidates and American politics in general.

[5] When Trump later won the nomination, and subsequent election, Aarebrot referred to the result as "frightening" and expressed worry for the American democracy.

He had felt unwell during a return flight from London, and called his doctor after landing at Flesland Airport.

[11][12] His death occurred less than two days before the 2017 Norwegian elections, which Aarebrot was scheduled to cover and comment on, and had made several pre-recorded videos for.