Frans Klein, the big boss of the NPO who is on non-active because of his role in the DWDD scandal, is switching to Talpa, according to the AD. “He makes an immortal fool of himself.”
For years he was the almighty absolute ruler at the NPO top: Frans Klein. But after years of criticism, the scandal around De Wereld Draait Door was the last straw. He decided last November to temporarily step down, pending the results of the investigation into the work culture at the public broadcaster. And that won’t be ready until the fourth quarter.
Evil role French
It is unclear at all whether Frans can continue at the NPO. He had a very bad role in the Volkskrant story about the abuses at DWDD. He has demonstrably looked away from it for years serious misconduct by Matthijs van Nieuwkerk. Many people find it impossible that such a person leads the entire NPO.
Talpa boss John de Mol is known to look at things like that very differently. The fact that even someone like Peter Gillis is currently still on the channel says it all, of course.
To Talpa
It AD now reports that Frans is switching to Talpa. “His contract has yet to be signed, but that seems only a matter of time. (…) Klein, who has been at home for more than half a year, should fill the gap at Talpa that Erland Galjaard has left behind.”
Talpa says that he ‘by definition does not respond to speculation’, the NPO denies that Frans has resigned and he himself says that he has agreed with ‘my board that I will not talk to the press during my non-activity. To avoid any appearance of any influence whatsoever.’
“Look at Gillis!”
The rumors about Frans’ transfer had been going on for a while. AD journalist Dennis Jansen last week in the AD Media podcast: “One more thing, because I just received a small message about a rumor that was going around. What would you think of Frans Klein to Talpa? I just heard that rumor.”
His colleague Angela de Jong: “Well, Frans Klein has already… The champagne at RTL was literally already popping up, because they really assumed that Frans Klein was coming there. And then: rascal, he said: ‘I will stay with the NPO.’ But he is vain enough for it and at Talpa they don’t shy away from everyone… I mean: Peter Gillis is still there too.”
She has to scream about it. “He would really make himself immortal ridiculous if he did.”
Remko too?
Dennis reports in this week’s podcast that NPO 1 channel boss Remco van Westerloo may also go. “Now I had heard a name again. Remco van Westerloo. That they go together. A lot of people don’t pick up.”
The rumor about Frans’ transfer recently led to a laugh in the podcast of Marcel van Roosmalen and Gijs Groenteman. Marcel: “God almighty. haha. He also believes that the ratings are on the rise. He also thinks: the boys have found their way to the honey pot, I will also have a look at Talpa!”
“A call to John de Mol: Do. It. Not. He completely destroys it with wok talk!”
Is Matthijs following?
Tina Nijkamp, the former channel boss of SBS 6, speaks of this breaking media news. “Frans Klein replaces Erland Galjaard. He then stands next to Marco Louwerens. Paul Römer will be his direct boss. Chief boss is of course John de Mol.”
She points to Frans’s good relationship with Matthijs van Nieuwkerk, who has also been discredited. “Will Matthijs also follow soon?”