RTL 4 takes the controversial act with two obese Asian men from the TV show Alles is Muziek by Marieke Elsinga. In addition, the broadcast length of the ratings flop is shortened.
It is currently by far the biggest viewing flop on RTL 4: the TV show Alles is Muziek by Marieke Elsinga, in which fallen stars such as Irene Moors ram on shuffleboards like a bunch of crazy Neanderthals to make music. Not only the low viewing figures are much discussed, but also a recurring act in the program: Yumbo Dumb.
RTL 4 intervenes
This act consists of two obese Asian men who can make crazy noises with their bodies. But in a media landscape in which Asian Dutch people are severely underrepresented, it is seen as inappropriate to only stage Asian people if they can do a crazy trick.
It has led to strong criticism from TV celebrities such as Tina Nijkamp and Rob Goossens. RTL 4, which normally values inclusivity and diversity, has now decided to intervene.
Act from the show
RTL 4 has decided to remove the act from the show. Actually, they would be seen again this weekend, according to a promo. “Yumbo Dumb is an existing comedy act from Japan, which has participated in America’s and Asia’s Got Talent, among other things,” explains a spokeswoman for the channel.
She continues: “The two create sound with their bodies and mimic sounds such as owls, dolphins and UFOs. Since Alles is Muziek is all about showing that music can be obtained from everything, we invited them to the programme. Last week was the last week that they were on the program.”
Not from the tube
Striking news is that Alles is Muziek is still being removed from the tube. “Following reactions from viewers that they find the program a bit too long, we have slightly adjusted Everything is Music in length from Saturday.”
Rob Goossens previously indicated that he expected Marieke to be removed from the tube: “You are not going to keep the channel free for a program that scores so dramatically.”
Poverty in TV land
Angela de Jong called Alles is Muziek as the prime example of everything that goes wrong in TV land. “I strongly believe that TV bosses are still living in the eighties. That they think: we open a can of celebrities, we let them do something crazy on television and then the viewer will eat it. While the viewer can go to Netflix, to Videoland.”
According to Angela, the quality on streaming services is much higher. “The viewer sees the most insane things on streaming services and thinks: should I now watch Irene Moors drumming on a shuffleboard? It is such a terrible poverty in TV land.”