Hélène Hendriks lies, spins and washes her hands in innocence. However, the truth has emerged: she wanted to cut back considerably on Jack van Gelder. “It’s understandable that he didn’t want it.”
While Johan Derksen was the trendsetter of Today Inside, Jack van Gelder was the leader of Hélène Hendriks’ Oranje talk shows. When Jack was not present during the last series of De Oranjewinter, it became clear how boring that program actually is without the right-wing populist opinion maker. Rutger Castricum, the good boy himself, was constantly in his place.
Hélène discharges Jack
The controversy surrounding Jack’s absence was significant, but Hélène tried very hard to handle it all downplay and now it is clear why: she prefers Rutger Castricum on the other side of the table. However, the fuss about Jack’s absence made one thing very clear: the viewer would rather see Jack than Rutger.
Initially, Hélène sold all kinds of lies about Jack’s absence. At first she even shouted that he was on holiday, but that he would absolutely be there again for De Oranjezondag and De Oranjezomer. Yesterday it became clear that Jack will not return to the show. He has been sidetracked by Hélène; she puts Rutger first.
Alternate
Celebrity expert Bart Ettekoven sets Show news that Hélène wanted to cut back considerably on her relationship with Jack. “I think they said: ‘Gosh, we’ve done it with Rutger a few times now, so we actually want to alternate with you a bit.’ In the past, of course, Jack was always in that sidekick spot.”
He continues: “I think Jack said: ‘Yes, I don’t really feel like giving up half my innings for Rutger Castricum. I’m either going to sit there or I’m not going to sit there, but I’m not going to be some kind of substitute.’ That’s a bit of filling, isn’t it? I don’t know if it happened that way.”
Nice chemistry
Bart thinks it is unwise of Hélène. “There was fantastic chemistry between the two, so it’s actually a shame. I personally think it’s a shame.”
Music expert Ronald Molendijk sees it as a miss. “Apart from that, Jack has also proven very capable when he was sitting there, sometimes defending a completely unpopular, incorrect opinion, so that you think: well, if you see it like that, I would like to think about it too. I find that interesting.”
Fascinating
Jack made the show exciting to watch, Ronald thinks. “You also have people who only chop, but he was also like: if you look at it that way, it’s not surprising that that happens. I find that fascinating.”
Bart thinks Jack is a good speaker. “Also very knowledgeable when it comes to sports, but also a clear opinion on political matters and things like that.”
Second fiddle
TV expert Rob Goossens understands Jack, he says RTL Boulevard. “I understand it too, because he was simply the man for the summer, when Today Inside was on holiday. Rutger Castricum has intervened quite successfully in the meantime. I understand that Jack does not want to play second fiddle there.”
What does Rutger think about the fact that he more or less worked Jack out of the Oranje talk shows? “I am not a party in this at all and I would very much like to keep it that way,” he told Shownieuws in writing.
