After a long muddling through, SBS 6 has decided to take the talk show HLF8 off the tube. “The program has not managed to attract enough viewers,” the channel just reported.
It started in the summer of 2021 as Johnny de Mol’s hobby project: HLF8. He had been dreaming of his own talk show for years and was allowed to realize that dream by his father on the eve of SBS 6. However, the program soon turned out to be the stage on which Johnny half sobbed statements about himself or his family.
Progress continues
HLF8 lost its soul when Johnny was forced to leave because of a fuss. He recently joined again, but only on Fridays; the other evenings are done by Hélène Hendriks and Sam Hagens. It all goes by most people and after a long muddling through, SBS 6 has therefore decided to stop.
Marco Louwerens, television director of Talpa Network, just announced – late in the evening: “We have put in an incredible amount of work ethic and energy with a motivated team to make HLF8 a success on the eve of SBS 6. Despite adjustments to the format, the desired and necessary progress.”
Not enough viewers
The reason for removing HLF8 from the tube is the low viewing figures. “We have to conclude that the program has not managed to attract enough viewers,” says Marco.
He concludes: “HLF8 was an important value in our (live) programming and has provided beautiful and high-profile moments on several occasions. I am extremely grateful to the editors, presentation and welcome, returning guests for that.”
The last episode of HLF8 is in less than a month, on Friday, April 7. Three days later, the channel starts with a new eve, in which Long Live Love and A Year Of Your Life are given more space to fill the gap.
‘Sorry for Sam’
The news of the end of HLF8 comes as no surprise. Many people saw the program as beating a dead horse. “One less talk show is not out of place and will not be missed. The mustache continues to attract the most viewers on SBS 6 and the rest follows at a great distance,” says someone in the reaction module of NU.nl.
One Flipke sympathizes with Sam Hagens. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen it, but for that Sam this is sad, just comes into the world of presenting. Hél`ene will manage, has plenty of work.”
KlipKlap then: “That Sam is also a lousy presenter. The guests were also of a debatable level. This just surpassed the level of Shownieuws.”
Talk show less
The commenter ‘Nouja’ is not sad about it either. “The good news is that from now on there will be one less talk show on television. The bad news is the replacement programs.”
Genuine agrees. “Fill up with A Year Of Your Life, who is waiting for that? Then rather complete it with Long Live Love.”