The cast of Rose dOr comedy winner What If? (from left to right: G nther Lesage, Jevon Lambrechts and Tim Van Aelst (EBU)
Belgian comedy What If? followed up their win two years ago with yet another Rose dOr for best comedy series. EUROVISION takes a closer look at the secret behind their success.
Tim Van Aelst, Executive Producer of What If? for Shelter TV, is somewhat hesitant to be reminded of how he and the cast celebrated their win last time. Yes, there might have been some nudity and dancing in a fountain which was repeated at the Emmys in the US a year later but we've all grown up now, he assures EUROVISION.
Every sketch of What If?, known as Wat Als? in Flemish, starts with a seemingly simple question like, "What if ringtones were hits?" Subsequently, people are shown going crazy for a standard mobile phone ringtone on the dance floor. Another sketch that asks "What if the iPod didn't exist?" sees joggers being chased by rock bands during their run. And in the skit "What if you had too much to drink?", a hungover man wakes up next to a sleeping clown and finds a never-ending string of flags in his underpants..
Koen De Graeve as Jesus and Tim Van Aelst (Courtesy of Shelter TV)
Even without an understanding of Flemish, the sketches are hugely popular, as is evident by the numerous awards the show has picked up. I think that the secret is teamwork and attention to detail, Van Aelst says. Everyone is expected to work hard in the team. No one comes up with the perfect sketch on their own, but we all work on it and craft it together."
Van Aelst adds that a combination of strict discipline and the ability to have fun is necessary in creating sketches. It can often be hard work, but it's also a great deal of fun. When it's time to jump into fountains and party we absolutely do, but during the day it's all about the show and how we can make a scene even better."
Of course, thats not to say that things run smoothly all of the time. In fact, the outtakes are an integral part of the show with, with two minutes of blooper reel airing at th end of each episode on Belgian television. Van Aelst admits, As a director, it is often a struggle for me to not laugh as we film. We are creating such absurd-looking scenes about an absurd question.
Goodwill is another big factor in the continued success of What If? We're a small team and all of our scenes are shot on location in Antwerp. People see that it's good for the town. Even the mayor is happy with us, Van Aelst explains. Clearly the locals are used to seeing a man dressed up as Batman crouching on the roof of a bus shelter or an actress giving birth to an eight year old. "But it can be hard keeping the press away from our set, he admits.
When asked how someone like him, who works so hard at humour, seeks relaxation, Van Aelst replies, "By watching serious programmes with political debates and discussions about important issues and current events. Even his funny bone needs a break sometimes.
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The cast of Rose dOr comedy winner What If? (from left to right: G nther Lesage, Jevon Lambrechts and Tim Van Aelst (EBU) 
