In the new series of Better late than never, in which Willibrord Frequin, Barrie Stevens, Peter Faber and Gerard Cox visit four distant countries, Katja Schuurman replaces Olcay Gulsen. Between the travel adventures, deep conversations arose between the presenter and the men, Schuurman and Frequin tell NU.nl.
“About their careers, but also about keeping fit, their fears and their dreams,” says Schuurman. “For example, how they experience love: Peter is only married for the fifth time and would Gerard want another love?”
Schuurman especially remembers the beautiful conversations that started in Rio de Janeiro.
“That was about the meaning of life. It was not heavy and deep, but just a nice conversation. Gerard is the down-to-earth Rotterdammer who says: ‘if life makes no sense, it just makes sense’. Peter starts a philosophical treatise and Willibrord can tell experiences from his journalistic history, while Barrie fantasizes about a continuation of his theater career. “
‘Friends for life’
Schuurman makes her debut in the RTL program, replacing Gulsen, who previously switched to SBS. The click between her and the foursome was almost instantaneous.
“I also knew everyone a bit, so it goes quickly. With all four I have a different kind of click. They are very different but all of them lively.” That works very well, she thinks.
“I have to laugh hard at Gerard, with his dry humor and dry-headed head. Peter is more spiritual and inspiring, I have come to love him a lot. We know Willibrord as the gruff guy, but at the same time he is a huge family man, who all day with the home front appt. And Barrie is the biggest teddy bear I know. “
“Katja quickly made contact with these four extremely stubborn bastards”, Frequin continues.
“I had myself suggested that Katja came along. She is a very sweet, spontaneous and beautiful girl. I know her from the past, 25 years ago I took her for a program to Isla Margarita. The friendship between us started at that time , you will never lose that again. We are friends for life. “
‘Can vinegar pisser learn from me’
The five will travel in the new series to Suriname, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico.
“In Brazil we celebrated carnival, which I really liked, because I had to drop carnival in my own country,” says Frequin. “It was spectacular to experience, because of the fun and temperament of those people, and with all those women with their bare buttocks.”
Cuba also found Frequin special. “Despite poverty, for example, they are happy and satisfied. I think that is admirable. Vinegar pissers like me can learn something from that.”
–
–
–
–
The group in Suriname, seen in the first episode. (image: RTL / Glenn van Eerden)
‘We are in a group app together’
For Schuurman, the trip was extra special: she was less than three months pregnant and had only shared the news with a few people.
“At Schiphol, Katja immediately said: ‘I have to tell you something'”, Frequin looks back. “During the trip we talked little about it, she was normal one of the boys and participated in everything. “
The journalist and presenter suggests that Schuurman can simply take her daughter with him in a possible next series. “Then we can take care.”
The five, who have been on the road for three weeks, still keep a lot of contact with each other. “We are all in a group app that was originally started to share photos,” says Schuurman. “But it is still very lively: for example, Peter will share a photo of his quarantine place of the day.”
“We all get along well with each other, despite the fact that we’ve become a bit self-righteous over the years,” says Frequin. “It was a great trip with beautiful locations, I really enjoyed it. At this time it is hopefully a welcome relief to look at these four old troubadours.”
Better late than never can be seen every Tuesday at 8.30 pm from 5 May on RTL 4.
– .
