It is some surprise that Martijn Krabbé has signed a new contract with RTL, because many people assumed that he might die this year. “Who gets this?”
It was a shock to many Dutch people when it became known in January that Martijn Krabbé has metastatic lung cancer and is terminally ill. Many viewers wanted to pay his last respects by awarding him the Silver Televizier Star for best presenter in September, but he may still be with us longer than we feared.
Paradoxical
Martijn signed a new contract with RTL yesterday and that is causing confusion. The readers of NU.nl don’t fully understand it either. However, according to reader Joop, this was a must. “If RTL had not let him continue working even though he wanted to, everyone would have found the broadcaster heartless.”
A certain Sander says: NOWyou: “He is seriously and terminally ill, and that is visible, but the paradox is that no one here knows how he really feels and he may not know when he will die. That is not impossible with a new contract. It will be well coordinated with RTL.”
Plumber
Daan doesn’t think it’s that strange at all. “My plumber (my plumber for 26 years) is being treated palliatively and has recently become a widower. He continues to work what he can, otherwise he just sits at home and watches on his own. Working keeps him busy and among people. I can imagine that this is very normal.”
It is a remarkable choice, says Michel. “I think it’s great that you still want to keep working, even though you know it will soon be the end of you. I would still have enjoyed my last days, no matter how much I enjoyed my work. A lot of respect for this choice.”
Image damage
Driesje thinks that Martijn has a privileged position. “I sincerely wish Martijn the best, but in a normal world an employee with his illness prognosis would really not get a contract extension. Very cynically, RTL did this to prevent damage to its image if the contract had not been extended.”
Finally, a certain Cynthia does not understand it at all: “Incurably ill and then still have a contract? Who still understands? Why not just stop and enjoy your last days? He has plenty of money so he doesn’t have to do it for that…”