SBS 6 star Johnny de Mol has no problem with the TV comeback of Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, who will be working for the same channel. “He hasn’t touched small children.”
Almost four years after the outbreak of the De Wereld Draait Door scandal, Matthijs van Nieuwkerk finally makes his comeback on television after the summer, namely in a program about Aretha Franklin that he makes together with Shirma Rouse for… SBS 6. And many critics consider that a mismatch: the target group of that channel would have nothing to do with Aretha.
‘Not breathing SBS’
Does Angela de Jong think it’s too early for a comeback? “Yes, what should we say to that? I don’t believe that I or all of us can say anything about that. I think that the people who worked with him and suffered under him have the right to speak about whether this is possible or whether this is too early or too late or whatever.”
She continues WNL: “I am more surprised about what he will make at SBS than that he will end up there, because of course Frans Klein is also there, whom he knows from VARA and where they were already great friends, but a program about Aretha Franklin with Shirma Rouse? I don’t think it is all that bad about SBS breathing, if I am honest.”
Welcome to SBS?
Fellow guest Johnny de Mol opens his arms for Matthijs. “Of course. Yes, why not? I partly agree with Angela about his editing, but when is that allowed? Is there a time limit?”
Angela: “No, yes, that’s a difficult one.”
Johnny: “I think: he hasn’t been convicted of anything, you know. He hasn’t touched small children, let’s not make it bigger than it is. It’s been four years.”
‘Not forgotten’
Angela wants more attention for the victims. “No, but there are people who are really broken, even among them. You shouldn’t forget that, I personally think.”
Johnny: “What is it then? Six years, eight years, ten years?”
Angela: “Well, I naively assumed – he is now so busy in the theater, now has his own things – that he no longer cares about television at all, and that he does not want these kinds of discussions about him on the national television again, but apparently the blood is still crawling where it cannot go.”
Never say never
Johnny thinks Matthijs is a good match with his channel. “I think it fits very well with SBS. Aretha Franklin, Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, a tour through America.”
Does he fancy a collaboration? “Well, I don’t know. Never say never.”
Angela: “I’m also curious what this is the prelude to. This is clearly to get the audience used to it. It’s not an ending. Unless they’re not watching.”
Johnny concludes: “I don’t know if it’s a prelude. We’re talking about it now, so I think a lot of people will watch it and then we’ll see about it again, right?”