Caroline Tensen about Ron Brandsteder
"I will never forget his first words to me”
When you think of Ron Brandsteder, you are immediately catapulted back to the ’90s. At least I am. I find myself back on the couch with delicious drinks and toast with brie within reach. Today we said goodbye to one of the greatest presenters and quizmasters. Ron Brandsteder colored our linear television evenings. Caroline Tensen, who on this day when the whole world asks her to respond to this sad news, kindly took the time to remember Ron for us.
The first meeting
*”The first time I ‘really’ met Ron Brandsteder – I had seen him once at Sterrenslag – was when I was asked to present Who Am I? and had to go to the studios in Aalsmeer. There sat Ron Brandsteder, André van Duin, Joop van den Ende, and Guus Verstraete (the late most famous and colorful director of the country and the husband of Simone Kleinsma) in a room. Four hands on one belly.".
And I had to go in there. But I just didn't dare. I stood on the threshold, Ron turned around, saw me standing there and spoke the legendary words for me: ‘Come on, girl.’
And that says everything about him. Like a kind of father, he saw my fear of going in and took care of me, like a young chick that was just placed there.”
Who laughs the loudest?
*”Ron could laugh so heartily at André. And what he did very well was that he always defended André van Duin when he was sabotaging things in Who Am I? Those two knew each other so well.".
I laughed along, but never the loudest, because the last thing I wanted was to have the last word between two greats.”
This is how I remember Ron
“I think Ron would want me to remember him as that big, sweet bear who took care of me, kept an eye on me so I wouldn't drown, and made sure I got enough platform. He taught me that everyone is equal in a team. That just because you are the presenter, you are not better than anyone else. You do it together.”
Iconic snack boards
“What we really had in common was that we both loved very good food. So we had huge snack boards at Who Am I? He always brought beef sausage and aged cheese because he knew exactly where to get what. Everyone who was a guest knew that too. They would immediately join us, and then we would struggle to get up for the next recording.”
A great loss
*”I could talk about him for three hours. An enormous professional, the tall quizmaster. Very good and warm, both for the people in the show and behind the scenes.
A great loss. A true professional, like there are not many left.”*
