William Rutten is during a photo session with Dennis Schouten not amused when the rebellious presenter suddenly tells an intense joke about Antonie Kamerling. “It was completely wrong.”
Gossip Talk presenters Dennis Schouten and Jan Roos are pretty much that personae non gratae in the Dutch media world, but the country’s most famous star photographer William Rutten is mild for the pair. In fact, Dennis was allowed to have a professional photo taken of himself this week in William’s photo studio for a cover.
Black sweater
For the intended photo effect, Dennis had to wear a black sweater, which William lent him. “William always talks about having everyone in front of his photo lens. At one point I had to wear a black sweater and I didn’t have it with me, so he says, ‘Do you know who is the last person to wear that sweater? Peter R. de Vries.’”
A great honor of course. Dennis continues in his program GossipTalk: “He was the last person to wear that sweater, he says. I say, ‘Well, I think Peter is proud that I’m wearing it now.’”
Just kidding about Antonie
A little later the atmosphere is tense, Dennis reveals. “At one point we were talking about death and then he talked about Antonie Kamerling, that it is so tragic. I say: ‘Jan has a very nice joke about that.’ He says, ‘What then?’”
Antonie, who was married to Isa Hoes, took her own life. Dennis: “I say: ‘Meanwhile, because it has been so long, he is no longer called Antonie Kamerling at home, but Antonie who hung in the Chamber.’ William couldn’t help but laugh. Jaws clenched. He knows that man. Completely wrong. Completely wrong. Completely wrong.”
Awkward
Co-host Jan thinks it’s awkward of Dennis. “Maybe you shouldn’t tell things like that to Antonie’s friends who hung in the room.”
That’s one understatement. One thing is certain: Dennis’ humor is as black as the sweater he borrowed…