Bridget Maasland finds it very awkward how Theo Maassen handles the story about domestic violence. “He shouts that it is all private, but he can also say something else.”
The VPRO removes Theo Maassen from the program Zomergasten, because the presenter does not want to respond publicly to the accusations of domestic violence. The comedian shouts that it is all a private matter, but if you are accused of something so serious and it is not true, then it is of course very easy to deny.
Theo refuses
Who remains silent agrees? It appears so. And TV expert Rob Goossens understands that the VPRO no longer has any interest in it. “Theo Maassen refuses to respond. Then you just know as a broadcaster: we will soon announce all great names and all journalists want is to know from Theo Maassen how this is all going.”
Colleague Luuk Ikink then at the desk RTL Boulevard: “Apparently they at the VPRO do not completely believe Theo’s story, otherwise they might have said: ‘Well, Theo, we take your word for it, it is a private matter.’”
No answer
Theo is a ticking time bomb, according to Rob. “They have given him the opportunity to answer questions and if there is no answer, you don’t want to be embarrassed at a later time as a broadcaster.”
Luuk thinks that the VPRO has no interest in this at all. “I can imagine when I listen to it all now that they at the VPRO thought: what have we ended up in?”
Bridget critical
Now that it appears that Theo is guilty, it is better for him to choose a different approach, according to Bridget Maasland. “It is private, that is what it always comes down to, while you could also have said: ‘It is a private matter, but it seems clear to me that something is not going well, but I will also resolve that in private.’”
Royalty fan Sandra Schuurhof thinks that Theo should also have given up his job, she says Show news. “Yes, I think it is a loss, but if he is guilty of this… Transgressive behavior is an issue with almost every guest. Then of course it is not possible. If he doesn’t want to say anything about it, that is very difficult.”
Remarkably mild
For the time being, BNNVARA is sticking with Theo, who recorded the program Der Theo for them. Rob: “It is striking that they choose to look away from this. It is almost as if they have used up all their resentment and resentment with their attack on Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, that their reservoir is empty and everyone is allowed to stay.”
Rob notes that the broadcaster is also remarkably lenient towards Khalid Kasem. Anyway: who should present Zomergasten now? Rob then countered Albert-like: “Eus would be very easy, because if a guest has few videos, then Eus has a whole bunch of videos…”