The TV career of Charles Groenhuijsen (69) is suddenly over now that Khalid & Sophie’s talk show Op1 is disappearing from the air. Omroep MAX no longer has another program for him.
There are quite a few presenters left empty-handed now that Op1 is ceasing to exist to make way for Khalid & Sophie. According to Jan Slagter, the boss of Omroep MAX, there is unfortunately no more work for everyone. “People work there who have a family, are having a child or have a mortgage. That hurts me too,” he says The Telegraph.
Charles’ TV exit
It is also over for Charles Groenhuijsen, according to Jan. “I have appointed Herman Meijer, the new editor-in-chief of Op1. I do have work for him. I spoke to Carrie ten Napel this morning, I also have plenty of work for that. But Charles Groenhuijsen is no longer at the start of his career, this is very sad for him.”
The presenter chimes in the same newspaper that he accepts it. “I can handle myself, but for editors who are just starting out in this field it is of course a bitter pill.”
Khalid in make-up
Isn’t Charles angry that he has to give way to someone as inexperienced as Khalid Kasem? “We met at the make-up shop when he had just finished his broadcast and I started preparing for Op1. We said to each other: whatever happens, this should never come between us.”
It is what it is, he continues. “I didn’t see this final chord from Op1 coming. At the same time: I have been able to do what I wanted to do for forty years. I am very grateful for that. The circle has come full circle: I now work in the same building where I started forty years ago, at the NOS.”
Pension
Does this mean Charles is retiring? “In the near future I will think carefully about what I still want to do. I’m going to miss Op1 terribly. But the word pension is not yet in my agenda.”