Albert Verlinde more or less confirmed the end of RTL Tonight at the table at Today Inside. According to Tina Nijkamp, the press release follows just after the weekend, on Monday. “Renze Klamer back.”
A strange situation has arisen: everyone knows that RTL Tonight is ending, no one is being secretive about it anymore, but the RTL channel management is acting as if its nose is bleeding and is delaying an official communiqué. According to TV authority Tina Nijkamp, that long-awaited press release will only come after the weekend, namely on Monday.
‘It’s final’
Tina quits analysis channel that the end of RTL Tonight is now certain. “It is FINAL. The viewing figures showed from day two that the Netherlands did not like the program. Too old-fashioned. Too magazine-like. No clear choices were made. This puts an end to the very extensive RTL Tonight project. Can still be seen until the World Cup.”
And now? “I can report that Renze will return as a talk show host at RTL 4. He will present the RTL talk show, will get his name. Production company EndemolShine will stay. From September, with a table. RTL does not want to confirm it to me yet, but will issue a press release next Monday.”
‘We all know it’
It is indeed no longer a secret, says Luuk Ikink at the desk RTL Boulevard. “We all know that RTL Tonight is going to stop, right? Tina Nijkamp is now reporting that it will be announced on Monday, right?”
TV colleague Rob Goossens then: “Yes, Tina says it will happen on Monday.”
And Telegraaf reporter Jordi Versteegden Show news: “I think that’s painful communication. Just throw it out before the weekend!”
Albert confirms
Albert Verlinde more or less confirmed the end of RTL Tonight last night Today Inside. “Who are you going to bring back here from RTL Tonight? Who? Just tell,” Wilfred Genee asks him. “I happened to meet Peter van der Vorst and I said: ‘I assume Albert is going to tell me,’ but he said no.”
Albert then says: “There are really people who think: he is going to say tonight that the program will stop. No, I think clarity will be given sometime next week.”
Clarity
Wilfred thinks that says enough. “Yes, but if you say that clarity is being provided, you know what time it is, right?”
Albert: “I am always critical and independent and I am not going to say that nothing is going on. Everyone knows that the program is under discussion and that it is highly unlikely that it will continue next year. Let me put it this way. It would be very strange if I said now: ‘It will stop’, but it would be very strange if it continues.”
The reason is clear. “Just because the viewing figures are not enough. Period. Then it ends.”
No choice
Why did RTL Tonight flop? “Everyone had hoped that it would find its place. Of course I also thought about what it is and I think the basis is that it did not make a choice between: do you want to be an opinion show or a talk show? It always hangs in between. I think the intention was to make an opinion show.”
Does Albert recognize the criticism that he did his very best? “That’s also because I feel it as a responsibility. I want it to be fun and for there to be excitement at that table, but you can see that it is quite difficult to get it done and then I just work too hard. That is not good either.”
‘Always rotten’
Albert is under contract with RTL for another year after this season. “I’m going to have coffee with Peter Lubbers next week and then we’ll see what happens. I’ll be fine, but I always feel bad for such a team, you know. They’re all busy.”
Bar guest Raymond Mens: “Suppose Renze is going to do it, then the same team will continue as usual, right?”
Albert concludes: “I certainly hope so.”
