Brigitte Kaandorp, a 63-year-old native of Haarlem, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the top spot in the Even tot Hier Top 80, a special chart compiled to celebrate the return of the popular television program on April 5, 2025. Alongside fellow cabaret artist Herman Finkers, Kaandorp's performance has been recognized as the best guest appearance of all time, a title awarded by a professional jury.
The hit list was curated by the VARA-gids, which evaluated all 84 guest performances featured on the show. Finkers and Kaandorp earned the highest scores from the jury, thanks to their rendition of a variant of their hit "Duet" from 1990, which this time humorously addressed the high-profile lawsuit between actress Amber Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp. Cor Bakker, a member of the jury, praised the performance, stating, "What a brilliant idea to have Brigitte and Herman perform this. Their execution was fantastic!"
Angela de Jong, another juror, expressed her immediate recognition of the duo as winners when the request for the list came through. "This performance is etched in my memory. Just the fact that the guys from Even tot Hier managed to get these two is remarkable. Herman Finkers rarely appears on TV," she noted.
The thirteenth season of Even tot Hier kicked off with a bang, featuring a variety of musical interludes that are integral to the show's appeal. Miguel Wiels, who has been working with hosts Niels van der Laan and Jeroen Woe since the program's inception, plays a pivotal role as the musical director. Wiels, who is well-known in Belgium for his work with the girl group K3, explained his approach to the show. "I try to manage all the musical acts effectively, whether it's Carel Kraayenhof or the Snollebollekes," he said.
Wiels' preparation for each episode begins on Wednesday evenings, where he learns about the upcoming musical guest. He humorously remarked that he often finds out only on Thursday afternoon who the guest will be, leading to a hectic Friday of rehearsals in Almere. Each episode culminates in a musical highlight—a simple song about a complicated subject that lasts exactly one minute, which the hosts write first to allow for accompanying animations.
Wiels also shared insights into the show's production design. The set features an X-shaped desk, chosen for its visual appeal rather than any symbolic meaning. According to producer Evelien Heus, this design creates a sense of depth and allows viewers to see movement more clearly. "It’s a TV trick that makes the set appear less massive and more dynamic," she explained.
The color blue, prominently featured in the show's logo and set, was deliberately chosen due to its association with news, aligning with the show's focus on current events. Depth is a critical element in the decor, achieved through strategic lighting and set design. Heus emphasized that while the set may look simple, it involves a considerable amount of technical effort to create the desired visual impact.
In the premiere episode of the new season, the hosts also tackled the controversial topic of the Week van de Lentekriebels, discussing the ultraconservative Catholic foundation Civitas Christiana and its attempts to censor artistic expression. One of the threatened illustrators, Madeleine van der Raad, created the book "Lentegriezels," which warns against the so-called scary men of Civitas Christiana. The book features illustrations of these figures, depicted as men in black clothing with red scarves who are portrayed as fearful and uninformed about relationships and sexuality.
Meanwhile, Glennis Grace's performance in Even tot Hier sparked mixed reactions among viewers. While many praised her powerful voice, others were quick to recall her involvement in a controversial incident at a supermarket. During a segment discussing the return of The Voice of Holland and the fireworks ban, the hosts humorously referred to Grace as "that screaming kitchen maid," with Jeroen Woe jokingly stating, "The Second Chamber has really decided: there will be a ban on Glennis Grace," to which Niels corrected him, saying, "No, on fireworks!"
Grace sang a song about the fireworks ban, using humor to address the topic. Her lyrics included lines like, "Little Timmy cries: 'Where are my eyes now?' He thought they wouldn’t explode anymore," which drew laughter and applause from some viewers while eliciting criticism from others who felt she should not receive airtime due to her past controversies.
Even tot Hier continues to be a staple of Saturday night television, airing at 21:30 on NPO 1. The show's blend of humor, music, and commentary on current events ensures its enduring popularity, as evidenced by its loyal fanbase and critical acclaim.
With the thirteenth season underway, the team behind Even tot Hier is optimistic about the future. Wiels expressed his hope for the show's longevity, saying, "From all my work, Even tot Hier is what I enjoy the most. I don’t even see it as work; it’s about having fun with a great, professional team. I’m praying on my knees that the guys continue for another twenty years!"
