217 editions since 1981, four presenters and quickly becoming the “largest television show in Europe”: “Wetten, dass…?” is quintessentially German television culture – and Thomas Gottschalk owes a long career to this show. But now it’s probably over – officially this was the last edition of the betting show, unofficially there will probably be another talk about what happens next.
It is at least unlikely whether we will see Thomas Gottschalk again. In a kind of farewell speech, he gave two reasons that apparently took away the fun from his show: Gradually he no longer knows who is actually sitting down on the couch with him. And besides, he can no longer say what he thinks. In short: The “good old days” are obviously over for him and he then says “I’d rather not have anything more.”
Twelve million people celebrate farewell to Thomas Gottschalk
It is now clear that more than twelve million people watched as Gottschalk said goodbye to the nation, which had already gathered in front of the television when he shouted in the late 1980s.
The show, you have to be honest, was a bit unworthy of Gottschalk’s last big appearance. The bets were lax, the guests were inconspicuous, and the presenter was a bit clumsy at times. ZDF certainly needs to talk about the technology again, because there wasn’t just a major blunder in front of the cameras.
But all of this fades into the background when you consider that it was probably the last chance to pay your last respects to a really great show master. Because successors are unlikely to happen – the TV landscape hardly allows a single program or even a single person to attract half the country to their screens at prime time.
And so it was said – at least from the mouth of Thomas Gottschalk – “Top, the bet stands” one last time. Albeit in the wrong camera.