De Slimste Mens ter Wereld

Do we still sing the praises of folly like Erasmus, or is it trendy again to be smart? And if so, who is the smartest? Who can talk about the medals won at the Olympic Games in London, but at the same time knows who Captain Haddock is? Who knows whether Lacan was a hair growth product or a psychoanalyst and can also program their own digital television? Who has déjà vu when leafing through the Encyclopedia Britannica and when reading the interviews with the new Miss Waregem Koerse? Who, oh who, is the smartest person in Flanders, Belgium, Europe, and by extension, the world? That is determined by a fierce battle between three fellow human beings. Every day, someone is eliminated, someone who may not be the smartest, but who is perhaps cherished in their family circle because of their many other talents. The others advance and are joined by a new challenger every day.

De Slimste Mens ter Wereld (2003-present) is a Flemish national-television quiz competition created by Bruno Wyndaele for VRT 1 and streamed on Play. Presented by Erik Van Looy, the show pits three contestants against each other in a demanding battle of general knowledge that ranges from Olympic history and Dutch literature to pop culture and obscure facts. Each day one player is knocked out and a new challenger joins the remaining field, so the contest keeps shifting and rewards both sharp recall and nerve. Regular jury members including Marc Reynebeau, Rik Torfs and James Cooke weigh in on the proceedings, while recurring participants such as Philippe Geubels bring comic personality to the mix. Across twenty-four seasons and many hundreds of episodes, the program feels warm, playful and gently competitive, with a tone that celebrates erudition without taking itself too seriously. Its appeal lies in watching clever people wrestle with questions and in the affectionate sense that the eliminated player is still valued for other gifts. Fans of Jeopardy!, Mastermind and the wry Flemish quiz tradition will find resonance here.

• Jeopardy!shared quiz format, intellectual competition and studio game-show tradition
• Mastermindshared daily elimination format where contestants are knocked out until one champion remains
• Pointlessshared Flemish-Dutch comic quiz tone with celebrity-style witty banter and erudite playfulness

Created by

Bruno Wyndaele

Release Date

2003-09-01

Episode runtime

61 min

Rating

7.9 / 10 (15)

What is De Slimste Mens ter Wereld about?

Flemish contestants battle daily through erudite trivia until one remains as the smartest person in Flanders.

What is De Slimste Mens ter Wereld like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of De Slimste Mens ter Wereld as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is De Slimste Mens ter Wereld violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in De Slimste Mens ter Wereld.

Which shows are like De Slimste Mens ter Wereld?

Shows with a similar feel include Jeopardy!, Mastermind, and Pointless.

How long is De Slimste Mens ter Wereld?

De Slimste Mens ter Wereld: 24 seasons, 881 episodes.

Is De Slimste Mens ter Wereld still running?

Yes, De Slimste Mens ter Wereld is still running.