DThe first week of the new season. B&B full of love (RTL4) has ended. Some of the eight B&B owners who are eager to find a partner have already entered the scene and, of course, no one has yet been committed. One conclusion can already be drawn: it is also a cruel formula.
Don’t get me wrong, I love this summer dating show, but I also see the suffering. Like Els. This elegant former flight attendant (58) travelled to Scotland to sniff out self-proclaimed country squire Robert Jan (57). A nice, self-assured guy who likes to dress in tweed, checks and poop scoops, and with the top of his head almost touching the roof of his old country house. She is tall, slim and also has a good head – together they make a good image. And they really seem to like each other.
But how can we give in to the urge to touch ourselves, with that camera always present? With an added disadvantage for Robert Jan: he can’t just jump up the stairs next to the first teacher, knowing that the bell will ring three more times, right? I think I see him holding back.
Or maybe Els is just too cultured and the lady of the house. Robert will soon turn Jan into a much prouder brat, because it makes him feel younger. Men, You know.
My friends don’t think Els is that charming at all. “She giggles so silly,” says one. Another seems to classify all flight attendants into the category of “gold diggers who shouldn’t be taken seriously in terms of love.” Very strange and cruel too.
I think they subconsciously want Robert Jan for themselves, but don’t publish that in the newspaper.
End of pool party
There is a real mismatch in Greece. Iris (57), marked by the sun and life, whose greatest pleasure is to end up partying by the pool, has invited René (62), a little autistic, a good boy who likes an orderly life and does not drink alcohol. Well, that is definitely not going to happen. I hope Madame Mikmak and her friends will treat him kindly.
The most touching situation is still in the cold heart of France, in the empty and damp Corrèze, where the filibuster Thijz (65) does his artistic work. And cheerfully. His wish list in terms of a partner sounds very modest: she must still have her teeth, speak Dutch and say things like “would you like a coffee and you wouldn’t even shave?” Thijz is funny, yes.
One of the nicest scenes this week was how she watched the videos of the candidates together with a fierce friend and put positive signs next to the names. One woman looked too much like her ex and had to stay in Holland. But Ammarie (60) was allowed to come. She is an artist, a wild forager and sister of Paul, the man who found love with the colorful Debbie in Catalonia last season. So Ammarie knows firsthand how much happiness you can gather if you sign up for BBVL.
We see a lot of self-confident people in Omroep Max’s age group. Except for the attractive and sensitive surfer boy Mike (35) in Spain, where young girls flock to with a great desire to show off. Even sitting on dangerous crossover mopeds and risking broken bones just to hook up with such a hunk.
It feels good to get over this kind of need to prove your worth.
Then I say.
Four times a week, Renate van der Bas and Maaike Bos write columns about television.