The Flemish television star Erik Van Looy signed a contract with RTL 4 in mid-2023, but unlike his success in Belgium with the show “De Slimste Mens,” his venture in the Netherlands has turned into a ratings disaster. Many viewers are questioning his appeal, stating, “The man is hard to understand.”
Peter van der Vorst spent years charming audiences as the host of RTL Boulevard, but behind the scenes, significant issues arose. As the head of RTL 4, his decisions have caused quite a stir, leading to his eventual exit but leaving the late-night programming in disarray. His mismanagement has led to numerous challenges.
Erik’s Struggles
It’s evident that Peter lacked a good sense of what RTL 4’s audience desires. He brought in Arjen Lubach, who failed to resonate with the target demographic, and hired Erik Van Looy under the assumption that his success in Belgium would translate to the Netherlands.
A few clips from the Flemish version of “De Slimste Mens” were enough to convince RTL to sign Erik to a lucrative contract. However, his panel show “Ons Kent Ons” flopped spectacularly. It failed to capture the audience’s attention.
A Diminishing Career
According to AD media journalist Marcus den Blanken, Erik’s prospects in Dutch television appear grim. “We will still see Erik this summer in the second season of ‘Ons Kent Ons,’ but that has been gathering dust for over a year now,” he reported.
He asserts, “A grand television career for Erik in the Netherlands seems unlikely. Even though he is a great talent, his success has limitations here, and we must be honest about that.”
Easily Replaceable
Marcus applies the label of “interchangeable” to Erik. “While Erik is enjoyable to watch, he doesn’t stand out. You could easily replace him with a Dutch presenter who many would find easier to understand,” he remarked.
Ultimately, his style is challenging for many Dutch viewers. “His pronunciation makes it hard to follow,” stating that thankfully, “De Slimste Mens” is now subtitled, facilitating better viewer engagement.
Missed Opportunity
Marcus considers the RTL contract a miscalculation. “After his successful appearance on the Dutch version of ‘De Slimste Mens’ in 2023, RTL thought they had secured a goldmine, but in other shows, it becomes evident that he falls short. His talent seems underutilized in different formats,” he noted.
“While I can see him becoming a fixture for the Flemish version of ‘De Slimste Mens’ during summer, I doubt RTL would make the same mistake of creating another show centered around him.”
