

TV Show spotlight
Het is weer zo laat
Het is weer zo laat!, also known as Waldolala, is a Dutch television show from 1974, written and directed by Wim T. Schippers and co-produced by Schippers, Gied Jaspars, Wim van der Linden en Ellen Jens. It was the last TV show written for Dolf Brouwers, who had played the character Sjef van Oekel in previous shows. The show ran for ten episodes, and featured Brouwers as Waldo van Dungen, formerly a waiter at the night club Waldolala, who had acquired the club after a rich woman fell in love with him and bought the place for him. The show featured other characters from the previous shows Schippers had done for the VPRO, and shared many other characteristics—nudity, vulgarity, linguistic games. The plot line and individual scenes were typically chaotic; in the end, van Dungen dies and it is revealed that the entire series of events was a kind of flashback told by van Dungen's psychiatrist. The show's alternate name, Waldolala, was explained by Waldo van Dungen as a combination between his first name and the phrase "Oh-la-la". It was also part of the title of the theme song, a "megahit" for the girls group Luv', a group formed by producer Hans van Hemert, who had been commissioned to write the show's theme song. Luv' had had two modestly successful singles with ABBA-esque songs, but van Hemert wanted to try a different style of music; Schippers and Jaspars pushed him, and van Hemert agreed to have Luv' sing the tune. They performed "U.O.Me" on the show, and the song became a hit--in hindsight, van Hemert credited the VPRO with the band's commercial success.
Insights
Plot Summary
This Dutch comedy follows the adventures of a group of children who stumble upon a treasure map. Their quest to find the treasure leads them through various comical situations and encounters with quirky characters. Along the way, they learn about friendship, perseverance, and the true meaning of wealth.
Critical Reception
Het is weer zo laat was a popular children's film in the Netherlands upon its release, appreciated for its lighthearted humor and family-friendly themes. While not a critical darling in the traditional sense, it resonated with its target audience and became a nostalgic favorite for many who grew up watching it.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its simple, engaging plot suitable for young audiences.
Enjoyed for its lighthearted comedy and nostalgic feel.
Seen as a classic Dutch children's film from the late 70s.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'Het is weer zo laat' is primarily nostalgic, with many Google users recalling it fondly as a childhood favorite. Comments often highlight its humor and accessibility for younger viewers, though some note its dated production values by today's standards.
Fun Fact
The film's title, 'Het is weer zo laat,' translates to 'It's so late again,' a phrase commonly used in Dutch to indicate that something amusing or chaotic is about to happen.
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