Exhibition about Henny Huisman in Hoorn: “Is Bulletje there too?”

Two AVRO Televizier rings, photos with the Pope and Michael Jackson, original clothing from ‘the shop’ and Bulletje. For visitors who were glued to the tube in the 1980s and 1990s, the exhibition is a feast of recognition. “The mothers of today were children then. They then ask if Bulletje is also there.”

The born Zaankanter has been living in Bakkum for years now and has enjoyed great success. His willpower brought him to the top. “Mine drive was huge. I said to my mother, “Just wait, I’ll be famous later.” I have no idea why, but that’s what I wanted so badly.”

Rejections

He has seen the dark side. Received rejection after rejection when he went to the broadcasters with plans for a program. They have also been given a place in Hoorn. “If you did succeed later, you still pull a long nose.”

In the time of the Netherlands 1, 2 and 3 Huisman was one of the voices of Dutch television. His programs attracted millions of viewers. Six million viewers caused the network to go down during the 1988 Soundmix show finale. As a result, planes could not land, hospitals had to continue on emergency generators and parliamentary questions were asked about how this could happen. “They still call it the Henny Huisman effect. Funny, right?”

heyday

He misses the heyday of that time. “I would like to go back 30 years. That was a great time. Although I must say that it is much more difficult for the new generation to intervene.” However, it is not enough to sit still. “Later this year I will go into the theater with a program.”

The exhibition ‘The Henny Huisman Show’ can be visited in the Museum of the 20th Century in Hoorn until 30 October.