Pieter Cobelens finds it scandalous that Johan Derksen questions the integrity of Paul de Leeuw. “He’s old enough and has already received his feathers, so I find it annoying.”
It will always be something controversial: TV makers using sick people or people with disabilities to make entertainment. Paul de Leeuw is now receiving some criticism here and there because he is on TV with a travel show full of elderly people with dementia. Johan Derksen thinks it is degrading. He thinks it goes beyond all limits.
‘Incredibly honest’
Paul was at the table last night The Orange Summerwhere hostess Hélène Hendriks makes it clear that she does not agree with her SBS 6 colleague: “Johan Derksen said that it is degrading. Well, the disease is indeed degrading, but I think it is made with incredible integrity.”
What does Paul think? “Yes, I think so too, but what he also said is that there should be no cameras. I understand that. I understand that very well, but what is important: we receive so many beautiful emails from people who have someone who suffers from dementia. They say: ‘If only I could have done this with my father or mother.’”
Fidan supports Paul
Table guest Fidan Ekiz points out the historic broadcast that Paul made with AIDS patient René Klijn. “There are undoubtedly people who have said: ‘Should a camera be installed?’ We knew that man was going to die.”
She continues: “You can think a lot about it, but it opens the way to talking about it. There will be a lot of people who watch this program and recognize their mother or father in it.”
Hélène: “Yes, I think it’s nice television too.”
Pieter critical
TV general Pieter Cobelens sits at the bar and turns firmly against Johan. “I also have someone close to me. One died and another relatively young woman was admitted. It is so terribly dramatic when you just see someone deteriorate and slowly wither away.”
“I really enjoyed watching his program and I can’t stand the fact that all kinds of stories are made up around it that it would be for the greater honor and glory of Paul, because that is no longer possible. He is old enough and has already received his feathers, so I find it annoying.”
Fidan concludes: “I agree with you so much. I really agree with you.”
