Dutch presenter Jan Lenferink, considered one of the pioneers of the talk show format on television in the Netherlands, has died at the age of 80. The information was confirmed by his family to the ANP news agency.
Lenferink became widely known in the 1980s and 1990s as the host of the program RUR (Rechtstreeks uit Richter), a late-night talk show recorded in discotheques in Amsterdam. The show mixed interviews, irreverent reports and debates on topics such as art, culture and science — as well as subjects rarely discussed on television at the time, including sex and drugs.
Before television, Lenferink worked as a teacher and radio presenter in the 1970s. His major breakthrough came when he created the RUR format alongside producer Gert-Jan Dröge. The program was mainly broadcast by Veronica between 1983 and 1990, later appearing on channels such as RTL4, RTL5 and SBS6.
Known for his direct and unconventional interview style, Lenferink is remembered as one of the “founding fathers” of talk shows on Dutch television, influencing generations of presenters.
According to his family, he was born on December 9, 1945, although for many years his age was kept out of public debate. The funeral will be held in a private ceremony.
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