There wasn't a square inch of space free in the crowded Agora. The theme of the evening was the humour of Americans. One of the points that Van Rossem broached was that Americans do not understand irony. "After a day and a half of chatter from Ronald Reagan about the crash of the space shuttle Columbia, I jokingly said that I found the smoke effect rather beautiful. That was not well received..." According to Van Rossem, that is because Americans attach great importance to national symbols. Especially the flag was frequently mentioned in his story and, yes, he also talked about the Twente flag. "I didn't know there was a Twente flag. A big white 'T'? An outline of the new airport here? All regional pride; you should be proud of something."
Meandering
But the talk was mainly characterized by the endless meandering, improvisations and humorous anecdotes, with Van Rossem certainly not mincing his words. King Willem-Alexander, brazen journalist and presenter Rutger Castricum, football legend Johan Cruijff and Orthodox Jews: he spared no one, not even himself. "For an interview with Playboy - which I should not have done anyway - I was asked what colour underpants I was wearing. No idea, I said, I take a pair off the shelf, and by the time they're firmly rooted I take them off again."
Grouch
It seemed quite remarkable that Van Rossem, who comes across as being rather pessimistic, would talk about humour. "On TV I sometimes come across as a cynical grouch, while by nature I am very cheerful and optimistic." It was, however, his image as a 'cynical grouch' that led to almost continuous laughter.
The talk was organized by the Studium Generale and Proto study association, some of whose members will soon be going on a study trip to America.
