While the Schoof cabinet showed its ugly face last week, it came Sinterklaas news (NPO 3) with a nice parody of PVV leader Geert Wilders and the unsafe relationship with his prime minister. Because Sinterklaas is suffering from an as yet unexplained illness, the Head Pete has taken over the management. He is going to do it very differently: all Dutch people will get everything they want. “How?” presenter Merel Westrik asks worriedly. By the way, a certain Marjolein has submitted a wish list that is too much for even the Hoofdpiet. He put her packages “in the refrigerator” for so long.
Hoofdpiet has put a newcomer at the helm of the steamboat: Pieterbaas. We haven’t seen him before, but Pieterbaas has always been there, he says. Worked mainly in the background, eavesdropping on people through the chimney. Pieterbaas can follow his own course, Hoofdpiet promises, he only gives him a map “in broad outline”. The new helmsman immediately “yanks to the right” on the steering wheel.
When the new course turns out to lead past all kinds of closed bridges, which hold up the steamboat considerably, Hoofdpiet starts to dismiss his own helmsman: “Just weak,” he says. “Now we have a big problem.” And: “If I had been the helmsman, we would have solved that problem long ago.” Pieterbaas is closer to crying than laughing when he squeaks: “Yes, but I’m doing it for the first time.”
Other than in The Hague Today it runs into it Sinterklaas news always ends well, so Sinterklaas simply made his festive arrival in the Netherlands on Saturday. Unfortunately, the beloved figurehead Dieuwertje Blok is missing this year due to illness. Her replacement Merel Westrik is a convincing lookalike who excellently imitates Blok’s worried looks and voice inflections.
A worthy heir
Now that VPRO is celebrating the golden anniversary of Van Kooten and De Bie, the question continues to arise as to who actually are the successors to the satirical duo. Just see you here and Arjen Lubach are often mentioned, but I think it is Sinterklaas news with its mild, playful satire is also a worthy heir.
The first anniversary program was broadcast on Sunday, Van Kooten and De Bie: Fifty years of Simplisties Associationon NPO 3, the channel for older young people. A ten-part series will begin later this month in which experts will zoom in on aspects of the rich oeuvre. As in previous compilations, the link to current events seems to be the main criterion. De Geilneef tries to control his transgressive behavior by having a knot tied in his case. The Positivos, who once sang ‘Our god is the best’, try to bring Islam and Christianity together in ‘Chrislam’. Humor wears out quickly, and so does television, so not everything survives – there is usually nothing more than a nostalgic smile.
As always, the duo of Jacobse and Van Es is the highlight; the free boys who, around 1980, foreshadowed the right-wing radical populism that we are experiencing now. This time their Grand Prix de Binnenhof can be seen: in an American convertible they tear through the power center in The Hague, honking loudly.
Also still strong are Gé and Arie Temmes, two older brothers who are somewhat helpless in life. Arie’s dentures are broken and now he needs new ones. But false teeth have just been thrown out of the health insurance fund – a melancholic criticism of the cuts in healthcare that always hit poor people hard. And my first laugh out loud of the evening when Arie accidentally throws his teeth into the pond with the duck food.
Share Email the editor
Sinterklaas News: A Satirical Jewel in a Sea of Chaos
Ah, Sinterklaas! The season when the Netherlands is not just famous for its stunning canals and tulips, but also for a jolly old chap delivering gifts while leading the world in absurd political satire. Speaking of which, did you catch the hilariously twisted parody of PVV leader Geert Wilders on the latest episode of Sinterklaas News (NPO 3)? It seems while the Schoof cabinet revealed its ugly mug, the show opted for a refreshing dip into absurdity – where every wish is granted, but you might still end up disappointed, like a child unwrapping socks on Christmas morning!
Now, the show introduces us to Hoofdpiet, who’s taken the reins while Sinterklaas recovers from some mysterious ailments. Don’t worry, though; Hoofdpiet’s got one bright idea: “Let’s just give every Dutch citizen everything they want!” Because who wouldn’t want an all-you-can-eat buffet of mismanaged promises and political farce? I mean, it’s either comedy gold, or we’re witnessing the national lottery without the actual lottery – you just end up with disappointment and a headache!
Then enters the new helmsman, Pieterbaas, who is just as perplexed as any voter watching the news. This poor chap seems to embody every lost politician trying to navigate through a sea of convoluted policies. As Hoofdpiet hands over the steering wheel, it’s like watching a political novice trying to park a bus in a tiny alley—“Yank to the right!” Oh dear, Pieterbaas, life isn’t a bumper car ride! Just how long before he crashes into a wall of closed bridges, held up by obstinate bureaucracy?
And the delightful conclusion? Well, Sinterklaas made a grand entrance, proving that in the world of satire, everything ends on a high note—unlike real-life politics where chaos seems to hang around longer than an unwanted guest after a dinner party. But wait, slight twist! The lovely Dieuwertje Blok had to sit this one out due to illness, but fear not! Merel Westrik steps in as her doppelgänger, and by jove, she nails it! A true tribute to the phrase, “The show must go on”! If only that same sentiment applied to political leadership.
A Worthy Heir to the Satirical Throne
Now, amidst the festivity, let’s sit back and ponder: who will take the mantle of Van Kooten and De Bie? Names like Just See You Here and Arjen Lubach are often tossed around, but I propose a wild card—Sinterklaas News. Why? Because their playful jabs reach the heart of absurdity in our political landscape with a warm embrace, unlike a cold Dutch wind.
Their recent special, Van Kooten and De Bie: Fifty years of Simplisties Association, once again shows how these satirical torchbearers have paved the way for wit and wisdom. Through nostalgia-laden sketches, they remind us of the follies that persist in our cultural memory. We’re treated to the unforgettable Jacobse and Van Es—a duo so relevant, they could probably commentate the funhouse mirror we call politics today.
And who could forget Gé and Arie Temmes, the lovable elderly brothers? Watching them navigate life is like watching a slow-motion car crash—hilarious yet heartwarming. I had a right belly laugh when Arie accidentally flung his false teeth into a pond, resembling a tragic comedy of errors. If anything, it’s a melancholic jab at healthcare cuts, crammed with ironic humor, reminding us that laughter is our best medicine, especially when the doctors have prescribed none!
So let’s wrap this up with a bow, much like a Sinterklaas gift. Sinterklaas News may be a playful parody, but it’s a reflection of the very real absurdities that bubble beneath the surface of our political landscape. With Christmas cheer in the air and satirical brilliance lighting the way, who needs reality when the absurd is so much more entertaining? Here’s to more laughter, more absurdity, and just a pinch of festive magic!
While the Schoof cabinet faced scrutiny last week, it was the program Sinterklaas News (NPO 3) that stole the spotlight with a humorous parody of PVV leader Geert Wilders, highlighting his rocky relationship with the prime minister. In a twist, the beloved Sinterklaas is currently afflicted by an undisclosed illness, placing Hoofdpiet in charge of operations this season. With a fresh approach, he assures that every Dutch citizen will receive their heart’s desire. When presenter Merel Westrik expresses concern about how this will be achieved, a notable character named Marjolein submits an overly ambitious wish list that even Hoofdpiet finds overwhelming, leading him to stash her packages “in the refrigerator” indefinitely.
Taking charge of the steamboat is a newcomer named Pieterbaas, who is introduced as a mysterious figure previously unseen by the public but claims he has always been lurking in the shadows, listening to people through the chimney. Hoofdpiet promises to grant Pieterbaas the freedom to navigate his own path, handing him only a broad outline of guidance. However, the moment he takes the helm, Pieterbaas takes a sharp turn to the right, setting a course fraught with challenge.
As the steamboat encounters numerous closed bridges that noticeably hinder its progress, Hoofdpiet grows frustrated with his inexperienced helmsman, declaring, “You’re just weak.” He laments, “Now we have a big problem,” asserting that had he been in charge, the issue would have been resolved much quicker. With the reality of the situation weighing down on him, Pieterbaas can’t help but falter, admitting, “Yes, but I’m doing it for the first time.”
Unlike the tense scenarios presented in The Hague Today, Sinterklaas News unfolds with a traditionally uplifting narrative, culminating in Sinterklaas’s joyful arrival in the Netherlands on Saturday. Unfortunately, the cherished figurehead Dieuwertje Blok is absent this year due to health concerns. Thankfully, her stand-in, Merel Westrik, manages to capture Blok’s essence, delivering a performance that mirrors Blok’s characteristic worried expressions and vocal nuances.
A worthy heir
As VPRO commemorates the 50th anniversary of the iconic Van Kooten and De Bie duo, the ongoing discussion shifts toward identifying their true successors. While names like Just See You Here and Arjen Lubach frequently emerge, one might argue that Sinterklaas News, with its gentle and whimsical satire, deserves consideration as a fitting heir to this comedic legacy.
The anniversary special titled Van Kooten and De Bie: Fifty Years of Simplisties Association aired on Sunday on NPO 3, a channel catering to a more discerning young adult audience. Following this, a ten-part series is set to debut later this month, where experts will delve into the expansive work of the duo. A consistent theme appears to be the connection to contemporary issues; for instance, De Geilneef battles his provocative tendencies by attempting to tie a knot in his case. The Positivos, who once proclaimed “Our god is the best,” now strive to unify Islam and Christianity through ‘Chrislam.’ While humor may lose its impact over time, yielding a mere nostalgic smile, the relevance of these satirical works cannot be understated.
The enduring duo, Jacobse and Van Es, continue to shine through, embodying the recklessness of a generation that foreshadowed today’s right-wing populism. Their Grand Prix de Binnenhof sequence is particularly memorable; racing through the political heart of The Hague in an American convertible, they honk loudly, leaving a mark of their audacious critique.
Also memorable in this special are the characters Gé and Arie Temmes, two older siblings who find themselves comically overwhelmed by life’s challenges. The plot thickens as Arie’s dentures meet an unfortunate fate after being deemed unaffordable, cleverly critiquing the healthcare cuts that disproportionately impact the financially struggling. In a moment of hilarity—my first genuine laughter of the evening—Arie inadvertently tosses his fake teeth into a nearby pond while feeding the ducks.
How does Sinterklaas News compare to other Dutch satirical shows like Just See You Here and Arjen Lubach?
Sinterklaas News is a deserving heir to their legacy. With its blend of humor and biting satire, the show effectively echoes the spirit of Van Kooten and De Bie by addressing contemporary political issues with a lighthearted yet thought-provoking touch.
The playful nature of Sinterklaas News allows it to tackle serious subjects, such as political ineptitude and societal absurdities, while still engaging its audience with warmth and laughter. By introducing characters like Hoofdpiet and Pieterbaas, the show captures the essence of political navigation amid chaotic landscapes—much like the beloved duo did in their heyday.
Furthermore, the show’s commitment to reflecting current events through a satirical lens resonates with viewers, making it not only entertaining but also a poignant commentary on modern Dutch society. Therefore, while there are many contenders in the realm of satire—like Just See You Here and Arjen Lubach—Sinterklaas News undoubtedly stands out as a cherished successor, carrying forward the mantle of humor and critique established by its predecessors.
In a landscape where political satire continues to evolve, Sinterklaas News manages to entwine joy and absurdity, creating a uniquely Dutch narrative that echoes the comedic elegance and biting insight of Van Kooten and De Bie.
