“Where are those happy days. There are so hard to find “
When Helene Fischer and ABBA sing together, soon the whole hall – young and old – plus Thomas Gottschalk and Michelle Hunziker, the old Federal Republic is back.
“Whatever happened to our love? I wish I understood. It used to be so nice. It used to be so good “
Helene Fischer with a golden microphone, the audience with the text on the big screen to sing along in the cozy TV event.
Here it becomes clear: There are so much more than just problems in this country than raised index fingers, gender debates and a collective view of the bleak future. There are more than a million (mostly volunteer) firefighters and at least as many excavator drivers as cargo cyclists.
“The show is of a certain basic friendliness,” says Thomas Gottschalk about “Wetten, dass ..?”. Anyone who even sees this excerpt will understand why this program has done TV Germany so well.
“I’m really looking forward to the evening, and I’m also taking my time,” says Gottschalk as he sits down on the famous couch. The 2,500 spectators in the exhibition hall welcomed the 71-year-old with standing applause and “Oh, how is that beautiful” singing.
“One thing or the other has changed in the time I wasn’t,” he said at the beginning of the program. He gave many interviews and was asked, for example: “Are you going to gender?” His answer: “Of course. Bet that. Bet that. Bet that. There is no other way. “
He was also asked if he was afraid of a shit storm. The question is not whether he can create a shit storm, but how long it will take until then, said Gottschalk. “But a certain age shouldn’t matter much to you. I can say: I have reached this age. “
In a gold patterned jacket and with presenter Michelle Hunziker at his side, Gottschalk started the show in a good mood. Together they cheer for the first bet: the dog “Uno” was able to properly sort garbage into three tons.
Huge jubilation when 37-year-old Helene Fischer appears on stage with a song from her new album “Rausch”.
They’re really all crazy about you, ”says Gottschalk about Fischer’s fans. The singer is – as she says – touched. Instead of the baby bump, she emphasizes her back with a cut out blazer. She doesn’t want to talk about her pregnancy.
Of course, Gottschalk asks anyway. Because: “Otherwise tomorrow it will be:“ The Gottschalk, the idiot, he didn’t even know that she was pregnant ”. She feels the affection of her audience is “an absolute gift,” says Helene Fischer. She is the sponsor of the children’s bet.
In any case, Gottschalk has not forgotten his quick wittedness. With casual sayings, he makes the spectators laugh and takes away the nervousness of the betting candidates a little. As usual, he likes to joke at his own expense and describes himself as a “frail elderly gentleman”.
Moderator Klaas Heufer-Umlauf feels “like in a fever dream” with “Wetten dass ..?”. Together with his co-star Joko Winterscheidt, he has a chat with Gottschalk on the sofa. They report on their show, in which they combine nonsense with serious topics. “I already said that Joko and Klaas have the necessary seriousness,” says Gottschalk.
Frank Elstner next to Thomas Gottschalk (r.)
Source: Getty Images / Andreas Rentz
Finally, “Wetten dass ..?” – Inventor Frank Elstner comes on stage. “He presented the first bet and he should also present the last one,” said Gottschalk. The two TV old masters skillfully played the balls – or the sayings – to each other. “My first show was 40 minutes too long, and I think you’re hitting me today,” said Elstner and Gottschalk countered: “I’ll stop until we’re through.”
They weren’t through with the evening and if Elstner has their way, “Wetten dass ..?” Shouldn’t be through yet. “Talk to the ZDF program director,” he urges his successor. And rocker Udo Lindenberg also pleads for a continuation of the cult show. It was “a great show”. And the streaming service Netflix shows on Twitter “Absolute understanding for everyone who prefers to watch television tonight #Betendass”.
When asked whether Gottschalk could imagine moderating “Wetten dass ..?” More often, he had kept a low profile in front of the show. Should there be another episode of “Wetten dass ..?”, However, everything will not be the same as it used to be: Gottschalk has announced that he will want to cut off his blond curls.