TV favourites Samson & Gert return to Ketnet

Summary

An old favourite kids' TV show is being replayed on Ketnet to mark its 25th anniversary

Studio 100’s simpler times

Starting this week, children’s broadcaster Ketnet is re-showing the very first episodes of Samson & Gert, dating from 1990, to mark the 25th anniversary of the show that introduced Studio 100 to the world. It was Samson & Gert that took Gert Verhulst from a jack-of-all-trades TV host to global entertainment mogul.

In the show, Gert lives with his Old English sheepdog Samson, their home frequented daily by the mayor, hairdresser Albert Vermeersch (who insists his name is Alberto Vermicelli), shopkeeper Mevrouw Jeannine and her son Octaaf. The comedy is derived from their personal foibles (the mayor is an airhead, Alberto is outrageously camp) and Samson’s malapropisms.

Thin stuff, but enough to keep the series going for 15 years and to launch Studio 100, which went on to produce dozens of other programmes as well as branching into music (K3) and theme parks (Plopsaland). Verhulst, whose professionalism was questioned in the media when he began relationships with K3 singers (twice), is now a member of the jury to select the new K3.

Hans Bourlon continues to act as CEO of Studio 100; the third co-founder, Danny Verbiest – who also played sheepdog Samson – was bought out in 2005. These early episodes of Samson & Gert are a reminder of more innocent times. The episodes haven’t been seen since they were first broadcast. The kids will love it, that much is certain. 

Photo courtesy VRT/Studio 100

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