Recommendations of the Editorial team
Do we have Saturdays when “Bet, that..?” was broadcast, really always bathed and then sat in front of the television in terry cloth pajamas? The picture of the “campfire” around which families gathered in the 80s and 90s is the last picture by Thomas Gottschalk in a show: Barbara Schöneberger, Günter Jauch, Mike Krüger, Jörg Pilawa and Giovanni Zarrella stand around enclosed smoldering logs, with Gottschalk smiling bittersweetly in the middle.
It is his last appearance on “Because they don’t know what’s happening”, the last official one ever, and also the farewell to Schöneberger and Jauch, who have taken part in this children’s birthday party since 2018. Thomas Gottschalk “doesn’t have to work”, RTL announced before this broadcast. He is a “guest”. And the chatterer actually limits himself to a few humorous remarks while his old partner Mike Krüger throws the show.
Schöneberger and Jauch, Pilawa and Zarrella shine in games like “The Great Rocket Chair Race” and “Günter Jauch Sings and Dances”. At the end, the audience kisses the neighbor on the cheek. And the candidates are ultimately trapped in a box that becomes increasingly narrow as blocks are pushed out of the wall. You have to contort yourself. That’s always funny.
Five hours of allotria
But it also takes a very long time. As with every children’s birthday party, no moderation is observed. Allotria, which corresponds to the RTL concept of a liveable broadcast, lasts five hours. You bathed BEFORE “Bet that..?” – in “Because they don’t know…” you bathe during the show, order from the delivery service, load the dishwasher and do the mail.
Thomas Gottschalk doesn’t stay that long. He thought of a farewell sentence: “If the Pope is younger than me, then it’s time to go.” There has to be a pope. Mike Krüger rewritten “Mein Gott, Walther” from 1975 for Gottschalk. Günter Jauch is embarrassed, Barbara Schöneberger is even louder than usual.
The last appearance
The greatest showmaster after Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff goes up the stairs to the staircase and murmurs to the thunderous applause: “He’s leaving and won’t come back. You bet?” His wife Karina stands at the landing and gives him a kiss. Thomas Gottschalk’s fanfare “Rockin’ All Over The World” sounds.
Jörg Pilawa wipes tears from his eyes.
An era leaves the arena.