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KopspijkersKopspijkers is a chat show that has been running on Dutch public television since 1996. A recipient, in 2003, of the annual Zilveren Nipkow best-show award from Dutch television critics, the programme is produced by the left-of-centre public broadcaster VARA. Humorous in style, the show is 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 imitations of famous people. These are much like those featured in the British TV programme Spitting Image, but using real actors. Political leaders like Jan Peter Balkenende, Wouter Bos and Gerrit Zalm are frequently impersonated. At first only Dutch people were impersonated, later also foreign celebreties (including Tony Blair, Nelson Mandela, John Kerry and Viktor Yushchenko) were impersonated. In recent episodes even historical characters, like Napoleon Bonaparte, Anne Frank and Josef Stalin were imitated. Kopspijkers is amongst the most viewed programmes in the Netherlands. On several occasions, the imitations have caused controversies. The first imitation episode showed sensationalist tv presentator Willibrord Frquin chasing Osama Bin Laden asking "why he had been so crowardly" and "why he sent thousands of people into death". Pim Fortuyn was often imitated, which led to accusations against Kopspijkers after he was assasinated. In November 2003 Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Minister Piet Hein Donner complained about the 'tasteless' imitations of members of the Royal family. Queen Beatrix later said she had no problems with being imitated. Presenter of the programme is Jack Spijkerman (hence the title of the show). In 2004 similar shows were broadcasted in Germany and Belgium, but they weren't very popular. External links
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