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More and more cult programs make it into the WDR media library. However, shows that are sometimes several decades old are also occasionally characterized by old-fashioned or discriminatory jokes that not everyone can laugh at. If you don’t feel like it, Westdeutscher Rundfunk warns you with a message, because the programs will not be cut or otherwise changed: “The following program will be shown in its original form as part of television history.” This also happens with old episodes the program “Schmidteinander” with Harald Schmidt and Herbert Feuerstein.
The satirical and comedy format aired from 1990 to 1994. After the outrage that the warning triggered in old episodes of the “Otto Show”, there is now also excitement about the display in the nineties cult show. “In the event of a broadcast, the programs will be shown in their original form, content will not be deleted,” the broadcaster explains loudly “FAZ”. In a few cases, one comes across passages that can be perceived as discriminatory from today’s point of view. Therefore, the WDR decided to put a disclaimer in front of the show as a precaution in order to classify the content.
Harald Schmidt finds disclaimer “world class”
Harald Schmidt can only be happy about so much attention. The comedian named “Warn” victim said to the “Bild” newspaper: “World class! A real Schmidteinander gag. It’s just a pity that the blessed Feuerstein didn’t live to see it.” Otto Waalkes apparently reacted less calmly. The 75-year-old could hardly understand WDR’s decision. “As if there were no other problems than old Otto jokes.” These are now half a century ago.
“Moral concepts have changed since 1970, every era has its own taboos. There’s always something offensive about comedy because it violates everyday rules. At the time, I was a student and I made jokes that primarily offended authorities.” Among other things, Otto’s “old Chinese love song” could make some viewers uncomfortable. A silly bit that goes like this: “The piece is called Ping-Pong. The woman embodies the cosmic principle of the ping, while the man takes hold of the pong.”