“Bolle Jos” and Cozy Offices: A Curious Exchange on Dutch Game Show “De Slimste Mens“
Amsterdam, Netherlands – A lighthearted discussion about the surprisingly pleasant nicknames of notorious criminals unfolded during the premiere episode of the popular Dutch quiz show De Slimste Mens (“The Smartest Person”) this week, sparking a humorous debate among the panel.
During the 3-6-9 round, contestant Tom correctly identified “Bolle Jos” as the nickname of a Dutch drug criminal hiding in Sierra Leone. This prompted host Herman to ask fellow panelist Paulien, “How come those heavy criminals ofen have such pleasant names?”
Paulien responded with a surprising theory, suggesting that criminals desire not only anonymity but also “a deep need for a cozy office atmosphere.” She elaborated, “I think they secretly dream about an office spot with a coffee machine where they can talk about liquidations.” Paulien further noted that law enforcement’s adoption of these nicknames, overheard during surveillance, contributes to their widespread use.
The first day of the season concluded with tom securing a win with 324 seconds. Belle and Kelle battled in the day final, with Belle ultimately prevailing by 62 seconds, correctly answering a question about actor Kevin Spacey. Jelle was eliminated after the first episode.
De Slimste Mens airs every weekday at 9:30 PM on KRO-NCRV’s NPO 1, and episodes are available on demand at https://npo.nl/start/serie/de-slimste-mens.
