Fun & Famous

GERARD JOLING, FRANSIE BAUER AND BONNIE ST. CLAIRE VLOGGING

Does it have to?

To answer immediately: yes, it has to. And what's more, it's great. These three living legends have also heard somewhere that vlogging is the latest thing, so they started doing it too. Gerard had to start vlogging according to his management, because it will be good for his image. You know, also to appeal a bit to the new young generation and so on.

Let's start with Frans. To begin with, what he does is not really vlogging, but just a continuation of his show De Bauers. Vlogging is filming in selfie mode. As in: you film it yourself. With Fransie, there is someone who films everything, no idea who, but not him. We see the cozy, quaint household of Frans and his Maris, where all sorts of exciting things happen. Frans likes to walk around in jogging suits, knocks over bottles of wine, and lets Maris clean it up, we see children jumping and running around, and Maris is baking a cake. It's all equally cringeworthy and heartwarming. Episode 2 has already been viewed almost 50,000 times. FIFTY THOUSAND TIMES. Among others, by Jet, by the way, who is a big fan. And rightly so.

Five days ago, Gerard posted his first vlog online, entirely in selfie mode. So ten points for understanding vlogging. He is sitting at an unearthly late hour in the restaurant of a Van der Valk hotel, together with bestie Gordon. Gordon shows his most mature side and keeps showing his open mouth full of food. Some jokes and jests are made about how ugly they are, and the next scenes are in a gym with trainer Alain. All hilarious and typical Joling.

But my big favorite is Bonnie St. Claire. My ultimate drink enthusiast and cuddle alcoholic. Bonnie fills her first video with answering frequently asked questions. She sits on a chair, her hair teased to the heavens, red lipstick on her lips, and large black spots around her eyes. It's eyeshadow, but a bit too much, making it look like she has been drinking for five days and her makeup has run down perfectly into a panda look. We learn in the first vlog that a new single will come out, titled “Zo ben ik,” and it will be released soon. She thinks it's really nice, she says, and that's nice. Next question. Will there be a duet with José again? ‘I can only give one answer to that: I don't rule it out. Because never say never.“ And that's exactly how that saying goes, dear Bonnie.

What's fun is that she throws in a still bumper at the most random moments.

Vlog 2 is about her free Sunday afternoon. Bonnie cooks early in the day, preferably in the morning, “because by the evening you have Dr. Phil and those kinds of shows and then I like to sit and watch that and afterwards I don't feel like cooking anymore.” I think it's a brilliant idea. She cooks a nice hutspot with meatballs. By the way, she loves mashed dishes. Sometimes also with a beef roll. Delicious. Afterwards, she goes grocery shopping. What's fun is that she throws in a still bumper at the most random moments. Really great. Okay, the supermarket. She buys cheese, and of course drinks. A nice rosé from the bottom shelf. “When it's Sunday, I do think: well, I'm going to treat myself, I'll have a nice glass. But I do that on Monday too, you know. And Tuesday. And Wednesday. And Thursday. And Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday!” Self-mockery, that's why we love Bonnie so much.

The third vlog is also the last one that has been released so far, such a shame. It's a musical Christmas greeting. Bonnie is back in her chair in a gigantic red sweater and a sort of dead rat on her head. I think it's a hat. I hope so. There is a burning candle in the middle of the frame, a Christmas plant, a Christmas tree, and a Roman bust. Just her decor is poetry. She wishes her viewers a very very very happy and healthy new year and talks about her week. Meanwhile, her dog has joined her on the chair and is very enthusiastically eating the armrest. Gerard Joling has promised her a new wig, she has had a performance, the dog licks bravely on. After wishing us a nice Christmas, she says that everyone does that already and that she won't do it with words, but that she will sing for us. Without words? No, just with words. And it's not really singing, but a sort of very slow talking. But with an Adele hand. Oh Bonnie, I do love you so much.

By the way, Bonnie has also enlisted someone to film her. But since no new video has been posted since December 21, I fear that person has taken off. Bonnie, if you're looking for someone, I would give everything up to film your vlogs. You know where to find me.

Click here for Gerard's video, this is Fransie's account, and Bonnie, you see her here, here and part 3 with musical Christmas wishes is here.