May-Britt, Linda and the Televizierring

Tonight the Televizier Awards will be presented and because I have a loved one who works ‘at the TV’, I am always assured of a spot. That Linda de Mol is not here tonight due to threats I find a sadness. She is the queen of television, our Oprah who cares for the well-being of others and has also worked incredibly hard for her career and money. Why must that be punished?.

Through Linda, I mentally traveled back to the Televizierring Awards seven years ago. I was very, very pregnant and my loved one had to appear because De Wereld Draait Door was nominated for De Ring.

Actually, my love didn't have much time for the whole spectacle. Way too busy with the final editing of that almost award-winning program. His hair was almost down to his shoulders and tuxedo shoes were nowhere to be found.

Brave baby (because still in the belly so doesn't poop or cry) and I cycled through the whole city looking for tuxedo gear because I believe that besides patent shoes, the bow tie was also missing. Cycling back from Suit Supply to home, I just hoped that the Amsterdam cobblestones wouldn't be labor-inducing. “Just stay in a little longer, little one.”

Because DWDD only ended at 20:30, Matthijs, my loved one, and the rest of the team would come into Carré during the broadcast. But Karin (Matthijs's wife) and I were of course already welcome. A cheerful hostess led us to our seats. Ah, the stage was reserved for us. There were three huge circular sofas with the nominees on each sofa.

I don't remember who was sitting on the far right sofa. It must have been Who is the mole? again. But next to me, I will never forget, sat Linda and the Gooische Vrouwen posse. I felt humble and also a bit out of place because I really shouldn't be sitting here.

Karin is one of the sweetest and most modest women I know. When I expressed my discomfort to her (we were sitting next to Kathleen Warners, head of entertainment at Vara) on that immense sofa, hugely in the spotlight while we of course hadn't contributed anything to the success. “We're sitting here wonderfully, Britt,” said Karin. “And not at all out of place. Just think about how long we've had to miss our men. I'll pour myself another of champagne drink.”

Still, it was nice when ‘our men’ and the rest of the team joined us. I looked at Linda and the Gooische friends, at my love and then at Robert ten Brink who tore open The Envelope. “The winner is…” silence…”and this is surprising”….silence…”with 45 percent of the votes”….enormous long silence….”I like this. The World turns….”

We jumped to the ceiling. The program had only existed for such a short time and already the most important audience award. Of course, Karin and I didn't go up on stage but I felt a lot less out of place. Dear Linda came to congratulate me and admire my belly and then brave baby, happy man and I danced until it was softly light outside again.

When two weeks later my one-day-old girl and I had a moment entre nous in my maternity room, I turned on the TV. It was Sunday evening so Gooische Vrouwen time. Something told me that my little Amsterdam child could appreciate the happenings in the Gooi. I laughed at Linda, kissed my girl and was intensely happy and content.