With the last “Anne Will” issue ever, a political talk era came to an end on Sunday evening (December 3rd). The farewell was correspondingly emotional.
Berlin – For 16 years, Anne Will (57) has been one of the most renowned talk show hosts in the country thanks to her ARD show of the same name. As part of her journalistic work, she rarely handled her guests with kid gloves: over the years, she confronted high-ranking guests such as former Chancellor Angela Merkel (69) and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (65), just as relentlessly as she was critical, and probed and prodded many actually self-confident politicians are in trouble.
Last “Anne Will” issue: Robert Habeck also congratulates
That’s now over: On Sunday evening (December 3rd) Das Erste showed the last “Anne Will” issue ever. Under the motto “The world in disorder – is Germany up to the challenges?” things got heated again before some conciliatory words were found at the end. Studio guest and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (54), for example, thanked the outgoing presenter for “16 years of enlightenment”.
Meanwhile, Anne Will first addressed her loyal audience: “I would also like to thank you for the great trust and interest you have shown us,” said the 57-year-old, who then praised the “really great collaboration” with ARD and NDR highlighted. Big thanks also go to her team. Finally, she wished her successor, ex-“Tagesthemen” spokeswoman Caren Miosga (54), good luck for the task ahead: “I’m stealing a sentence from Caren that she said about her successor, Jessy Wellmer: Be nice to her, she is too!”
“Anne Will” becomes “Caren Miosga”
“Anne Will” will be discontinued, but only indirectly: The political talk will run with a new presenter from January 2024 and has been renamed accordingly. Instead of Anne Will, next year Caren Miosga will host the show – which is no longer named after Will, but rather the new host. However, not much should change in the basic concept. Sunday evening will also remain a regular broadcast slot on Erste.
Emotional words: “Tagesthemen” compilation honors Anne Will’s work
When Anne Will finally moved on to the “Tagesthemen” with Jessy Wellmer (43), the homage to the political talk show host was far from over: “Today a talk era comes to an end that you, dear Anne, have had for over 16 years “You have influenced me,” said Wellmer, paying tribute to her colleague with emotional words. Afterwards, a compilation was shown that once again reviewed the most memorable “Anne Will” moments – from her first broadcast to heated discussions, for example with the then candidates for chancellor Olaf Scholz, Armin Laschet (62) and Annalena Baerbock (42 ).
In the Berlin studio of the ARD talk there were lavish bouquets of flowers and warm hugs for the Cologne-born journalist. As she herself confirmed again, this will remain with the public broadcasters in the future. The first can not only be politics, but also entertainment: the day before, Florian Silbereisen (42) competed with his “Advent Festival” against TV legend Thomas Gottschalk (73) and “Disney100” – a ratings duel with a clear winner… Sources used: “Anne Will” (Das Erste/ARD; edition from December 3, 2023), “Tagesthemen” (Das Erste/ARD; edition from December 3, 2023)