The viewing figures of Today Inside are under pressure and so, according to Victor Vlam, expert on the program, a stir is needed. “An argument between Wilfred Genee and Valentijn Driessen would work.”
Wilfred Genee will be slightly uncomfortable that Eva Jinek has quietly taken over the baton of the most watched talk show in the Netherlands. What’s going on with Today Inside? Is TV critic Victor Vlam right that the program has become too mainstream by inviting guests like Arend Jan Boekestijn?
Ow, ow, ow
VI is starting to come around a bit, Victor notices. He points out that Arend Jan was criticized last week in the program because his prediction that Donald Trump would deploy nuclear weapons in Iran did not come true. It is the umpteenth time that a geopolitical ‘expert’ has gone wrong on TV.
Arend Jan had no attitude when he was called to task. “You come up with an incredibly big statement and you don’t get any further than: ‘Yes, there is someone on X who said it.’ Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. And then you are supposedly one of the greatest experts on the subject. This was an incredibly painful moment,” says Victor.
More rebellious
It is very good that VI points this out, because they previously failed to do so when Ron Keller blundered with his prediction that Trump was about to invade Greenland. “I think it is good that VI has done this and that they have positioned themselves against Arend Jan in this way. And because it is also contrary to Ron Keller’s situation.”
The TV critic continues in the podcast Victor Indicates TV: “They never actually said anything about that. He was allowed to make that very crazy statement with impunity. So we can conclude that VI has become a bit more rebellious.”
Establishment
VI gets a compliment from Victor. “I think it could become more rebellious and controversial and challenge the establishment a little more. I think they recognize that my criticism made sense, because if you look at how often Oelewapperstijn is invited, that is considerably less than in the past.”
He continues: “To be honest, I think they should continue this trend. There really should be a little more kicking against the establishment, right? There is quite a lot of dissatisfaction in the Netherlands, there are many people who are not doing well. You have to stand up for that and that means that you have to kick against some sacred cows every now and then.”
New riot
What should VI also do? Arguing, says Victor. “It could also use a new riot. VI is a bit of a soap and at the moment it is a soap without an interesting storyline. As far as I’m concerned, it wouldn’t hurt if someone just went off the rails for a while, so that we all have an opinion about it.”
“An argument between Valentine and Wilfred, for example, on television, that can be quite interesting. I think a broadcast should be made more on the cutting edge.”