Erik Van Looy himself a candidate in “The smartest person” in the Netherlands: “I was happy that I understood all the words”

The remake, which is simply called “The smartest person”, has been running since 2006. Since the fourth season, there are also two series per year. With about 2.5 million viewers, the quiz is the most watched program in the country. It is also a lot less jolly than in Belgium, says Van Looy. “That’s a serious quiz,” he says on “Kawtar and Keyaert”, MNM’s morning show. “But I asked presenter Philip Freriks if I could be silly. He said I could be as silly as I want.”

The presenter, who does not close the final with the words “it happened”, is an example for Van Looy. “He’s 78. When I’m on a television studio, I’m usually the oldest. It’s a relief to be one of the youngest now.”