Kopspijkers: Difference between revisions

Humorous in style, the show was particularly noted for its satirical sketches. Until [[2001]] it was 'normal' cabaret, but in September [[2001]] (which happened to be the week of the [[9/11 terrorist attacks]]) the show started with [[imitation]]simitations of famous people. These were much like those featured in the [[United Kingdom|British]] TV programme ''[[Spitting Image]]'', but used real [[Actor|actors]]. Political leaders like [[Jan Peter Balkenende]], [[Wouter Bos]] and [[Gerrit Zalm]] were frequently impersonated. At first only Dutch people were impersonated, later also foreign celebrities (including [[Tony Blair]], [[Nelson Mandela]], [[John Kerry]] and [[Viktor Yushchenko]]) were impersonated. In recent episodes even historical characters, like [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], [[Anne Frank]], [[Plato]] and [[JosefJoseph Stalin]] were imitated. ''Kopspijkers'' was amongst the most viewed programmes in the Netherlands. At the start of the [[Iraq War]] one of their sketches "[[BZN]] in Baghdad", went [[viral video|viral]] on the internet in the English-speaking world, and included BZN impersonators [[chroma-key]]ed into newsreel footage of combat and the [[Firdos Square statue destruction|toppling of Saddam Hussein's statue]]

On several occasions, the imitations have caused controversies. The first imitation episode showed sensationalist TV presenter [[Willibrord FréquinFrequin]] chasing [[Osama Binbin Laden]] asking "why he had been so cowardly" and "why he sent thousands of people into death". [[Pim Fortuyn]] was often imitated, which led to accusations against Kopspijkers after he was assassinated. In November [[2003]] Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Minister [[Piet Hein Donner]] complained about the 'tasteless' imitations of members of the [[House of Orange-Nassau|Royalroyal family]]. [[Beatrix of the Netherlands|Queen Beatrix]] later said she had no problems with being imitated. In [[2005]], Jack Spijkerman decided to cancel his contract with VARA and sign with the newly formed channel [[Tien (TV channel)|Talpa]]. Though Spijkerman intended to finish the running season, VARA cut it short and cancelled the 4 remaining shows. Spijkerman now makesmade a similar (but commonly deemed of less quality) show on Talpa, called [[{{Interlanguage link multi|Koppensnellers]]|nl}} but after bankruptcy of the channel it disappeared of the Dutch TV.

In [[2004]] similar shows were broadcastedbroadcast in [[Germany]] and [[Belgium]], but they weren't very popular.

[[Category:SatiricalDutch satirical television programmesshows]]