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What happens after Gottschalk’s farewell?
Thomas Gottschalk at his last “Wetten,dass..?” show on November 25, 2023 – what will happen next with the cult show?
© ZDF/Sascha Baumann.
Thomas Gottschalk’s last “Wetten,dass..?” show: For ZDF, this marks the end of an era whose future still seems uncertain.
A reason for joy for the broadcaster ZDF, as a spokeswoman said in a statement when asked by the news agency spot on news: “We are very pleased about the great response to this show, with which Thomas Gottschalk from ‘Wetten, dass..? ‘ said goodbye and say thank you again for many unforgettable moments.”
How about “Bet, that..?” continue without Gottschalk?
But despite the positive reactions to the last “Wetten,dass…?” show and the great interest of the German television audience, it does not yet seem to be clear what the future holds. “ZDF will decide in due course what will happen next with the format,” the broadcaster said briefly.
While ZDF is still officially keeping a low profile, preparations for a new edition of the cult show seem to be underway in the background. According to information from the “Bild” newspaper Last year, ZDF acquired an extensive rights package for the “Wetten,dass..?” brand. secured at the German Patent and Trademark Office. This applies until at least August 31, 2032. “Bild” also writes that it has learned from ZDF circles that a “Wetten,dass..?” show without Thomas Gottschalk will find supporters in the summer of 2025. Giovanni Zarrella (45) and Barbara Schöneberger (49) are considered possible successors.
Anyone who missed the big TV event at the weekend can watch the show for another month in the ZDF media library. Gottschalk, on the other hand, is looking forward to his life as a “happy pensioner” with more time for his private life alongside his partner Karina Mroß (61), as he revealed to the “Bild” newspaper in an interview.
“I just had a great vacation in Florida with a woman who loves me, but who doesn’t necessarily have to enjoy me on TV. She also has fun with me in private,” said Gottschalk. “I’m still fit enough to enjoy my life and as long as the audience still wants me, they should have me.” On December 2nd he will be seen again on RTL TV as the presenter of “Disney 100 – The Big Anniversary Show”.