Ruben Van Gucht stepped into the host chair of Play’s daily talk show “De tafel” expecting to manage the fallout from his abrupt exit from the reality program “De verraders,” but his first week instead delivered a Belgian government crisis and the U.S. midterm elections, De Standaard reported.
The 39-year-old presenter, who took the interim role when Gert Verhulst and Tine Embrechts were unavailable, opened Monday’s broadcast with the offered resignation of the prime minister and closed the week with the American election results. Nieuwsblad quoted him as saying, “I would almost thank the politicians of this country,” for the heavy news agenda.
A Week of Heavy News, Not Personal Drama
Van Gucht debuted at the helm of “De tafel” while still hosting the weekly talk show “Happy hour” on VTM, a dual role that had drawn criticism after “damning comments” about the men’s circle surrounding that program. Yet he resisted the temptation to focus on himself, letting the news fill the 75-minute broadcast. The government crisis dominated the first two days, while Wednesday brought U.S. Bill White to the table following the midterms.
The ambassador, whom De Standaard described as a fixture of the rival program “De afspraak,” defended the war in Iran during his appearance. Former colonel Roger Housen, brought in by the show’s editorial team, challenged him directly: “Sir, you cannot deny that the situation in Iran is worse now than on February 28?” Housen pressed with facts while White responded with vague references to government briefings claiming the Iranian regime had “not even a kayak left,” according to De Standaard.
Kürt Rogiers Confronts the ‘De verraders’ Exit
The most awkward moment came when Van Gucht interviewed Kürt Rogiers, who had appeared on “De verraders”—the VTM reality show from which Van Gucht was removed by production for rule violations. Rogiers, speaking on Qmusic, had urged Van Gucht to acknowledge his mistakes. During the “De tafel” interview, Van Gucht maintained that the show was not about him: “If the editorial team considers Kürt a legitimate guest, he is always more than welcome. I remain warm toward him. This is simply not about me,” Nieuwsblad quoted him as saying.
Structured Days for a New Father
Van Gucht, who welcomed his second child, Florence, in mid-August, told Nieuwsblad that “De tafel” has given him a fixed schedule he would not otherwise accept. Rehearsals begin at 4 p.m. in Antwerp, allowing him to start the day calmly with his child. “That I give the bottle on camera during the first editorial meeting, the colleagues know by now,” he said, explaining how he keeps Florence from crying in the background during calls.
His agenda now runs four days of “De tafel,” Friday’s “Happy hour,” weekend appearances on Radio 2’s “De weekwatchers,” field-cycling reports, and occasional DJ gigs—a pace he says he would not have taken on without the structure the Play role provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ruben Van Gucht hosting “De tafel”?
He took the interim host position when regular presenters Gert Verhulst and Tine Embrechts were unavailable, according to De Standaard.
What did Kürt Rogiers say about Van Gucht on the show?
Rogiers, who saw Van Gucht leave “De verraders” early after rule violations, had previously told Qmusic that Van Gucht should better acknowledge his mistakes. Van Gucht responded on “De tafel” that the program is not about him and that Rogiers remains welcome as a guest, Nieuwsblad reported.
How does Van Gucht combine the show with fatherhood?
He told Nieuwsblad that rehearsals start at 4 p.m., letting him begin the day with his daughter Florence, whom he feeds on camera during early calls to keep her calm.
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