Mark Koster is invited every year to participate in the NPO show De Slimste Mens, but consistently ignores that request. Why? “You are much more intelligent than me.”
So many famous Dutch people have already participated that it is difficult to find fresh candidates: De Slimste Mens has been on television for quite a few years. The editors are also after media columnist Mark Koster of De Telegraaf, but he is not yet willing to do so. He is anxious about participating, he says The Media Week.
Disadvantage
Mark says in that podcast that he finds it strange that De Slimste Mens will start after the weekend with a candidate who has now passed away: René Karst. “It’s strange that the singer from Drenthe is in it. It has to be semi-live, right? But I think Van Rossem always talked for hours. That was a disadvantage,” he says.
When asked whether he has ever participated in the program, Mark answers: “I have never been in it.”
Pretty far
Co-host Tina Nijkamp did participate. “I did, yes. I came quite far. Well, four episodes, haha. And later I became a losing finalist online in the All Stars series. But you were never in it? Would you participate?”
Mark then said: “You are much more intelligent than me. I now have sweat on my back. I have been asked many times, but I have always said no. I get called every year.”
‘Why not?!’
Tina thinks that’s crazy. “Nooooo, why don’t you do that?!”
Mark: “Well, because I’m very afraid of that.”
Tina: “What do you care!”
Mark concludes: “I have a fear of failure! We’re finishing this show, see you in two weeks! Bye!”
