one of the greatest comedians The Netherlands ever had

I remember first encountering the stuff Toon Hermans made when I took my grandma to an exposition about him. She was suffering from alzheimers and only a shell of herself. When they showed his songs she started singing them and for a brief moment she was back. Since then he has a special place in my heart.

The GREATEST comedians the Netherlands has ever had.. born in my hometown Sittard... The man could go on and on about nothing really and make everybody laugh... Today most comedians must insult something or somebody to get people to laugh.. but this man never insulted anybody.. never hurt anybody's feelings.. he just made fun of everyday situations ! He could stand on stage with a stupid look on his face and make everybody laugh...
A LEGEND !

Though there is stand-up comedy in the Netherlands, there is also a rich tradition of what we call 'cabaret'. The performer(s) usually have an evening-filling show, usually around a certain theme and also with music and singing. Some performers go for plain pretenseless entertainment, others also tackle social, cultural or global issues and want you to leave the theatre thinking. They usually do a theatre-tour throughout the country for one or two years which sometimes ends with a TV-registration. Then off to write a new show. As a 'cabaretier' you have really arrived when you are invited to write and perform the New Years Eve show on TV (or when you sell out the Amsterdam 'Carré' theatre a few nights in a row...).

I really respect you for showing interest in Dutch comedy while it has to be so remote for you. Thanks for the video!

Weee, he’s from my town. His legacy is still alive, in my province, there are several “Toon Hermanshuizen” (huizen=houses), where people dealing with cancer can go to for questions , emotional support, share their pain and sadness. And they get to (if they want) be creative to relax.

Most people only knew him as a comedian,  but he was also a poet and painter.

Yes you could say this is "old school"...variety. Toon is one of three grandmasters of the dutch one man show theater. As far back in time since the "50's. His sense of comedy was timeless, no swearing, no insulting comments on anyone just telling stories about himself and situations he got into in such a way that was recognisable by the audience. He could do mime, sing a song tell a story effortless and had a comedic timing that was unique.

Thanks for the shout out Highly. Always happy to help, just...... well you know..!

When my dad spots a dead pigeon he often refers to this sketch by (incorrectly) quoting "Duif is dood, meneer."
Also a funny coincidence: my dad's first name is Herman.

This man was a legend, never will forget him. I never saw him live but saw all his tv shows! His carreer was very long starting as a youngster in 1932 and his last show was in 1996,

Hello from the Netherlands Highly .  
Toon Hermans in legendary .  
and VERY VERY important to the history of Dutch Television.  
you should know that in his time in the Netherlands there were only two television channels Ned1 and Ned2 because as the lyrics of a song are "Hilversum 3 did not exist yet"
all television in the Netherlands comes from Hilversum hence.  
this Toon Hermans has been the source of inspiration for many people and TV programs.  
Toon was also a great example for André van duin .  
thanks for the video Highly

When Toon was on tv, everybody stayed at home to watch. I was pretty rare there was a big show on tv but IF there was, man, that was it. We stayed at home, we had drinks and snacks etc. It was really special.

I hope you do some more Toon. He has written such gorgeous songs. The simplicity in words with so much impact. One of my favorites is Lente me, which he wrote when his wife passed away. It is incredibly beautiful and touching. Another amazing one is Als de liefde niet bestond (If love did not exist).

He's not only a great comedian, he also wrote beautiful poems.

Yeah, Toon was 1 of the great 3 entertainers. He was a master in facial expression and timing. Thanks for showing.👍👍

Toon Hermans is a legend. He could just walk on to the stage, stand around doing and saying nothing, and still people would laugh. He could fill the largest theaters easily, I myself have stood in line once, waiting to buy tickets, for at least 3 hours. The manager of one of the largest and most respectable theaters in the Netherlands, the Theater Carré in Amsterdam, once showed Toon a number of wet seats after the show. They were wet because people had peed their pants laughing!

Aww, the good old days, so glad that i grew up in that period of time. Toen was geluk nog heel gewoon (happiness was still very common) ❤

He was a poet too. 'Je hebt iemand nodig, stil en oprecht, die als het er op aankomt voor je bidt en voor je vecht. Pas, als je iemand hebt die met je lacht EN met je grient, dan pas kun je zeggen: "ik heb een vriend".      You nee someone, silent and honest, who when needed, will pray for you and fight. Only then, when you have someone who laughs with you AND cries, only THEN you can say :'I have a friend".

You might not have noticed, but what makes it really funny is that he speaks dutch with a german accent.