On December 27, 2024, ARD aired the Christmas edition of the popular show Verstehen Sie Spaß?, hosted by Barbara Schöneberger. This special episode, which initially scheduled for December 21, was postponed due to the tragic attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. With Schöneberger at the helm, viewers were treated to hidden camera pranks and numerous celebrity guests celebrating the festive season alongside humor and entertainment.
According to reports, the Christmas special managed to attract 2.69 million viewers, falling behind the ZDF crime drama which captivated 6.03 million audiences and captured the top spot for the evening's ratings with a market share of 25.3 percent. While Verstehen Sie Spaß? secured second place with 12.2 percent share, it did achieve success among the younger demographic, 14 to 49 years old, where it ranked as the day’s best.
The festive edition saw various high-profile guests making appearances including Simon Schwarz from the Eberhoferkrimi series, fellow actors Manuel Rubey, Detlef Steves, sports figure Reiner Calmund, singer Kerstin Ott, and racing driver Sophia Flörsch among others. Each guest participated actively, adding their unique flavor to the episode, demonstrating the show's appeal across varied audiences.
During the show, Schöneberger engaged her guests with humor, touching on personal topics with witty commentary. “Die Leute da draußen denken manchmal, dass man ganz anders ist. Das wird befeuert durch unterschiedliche Dinge. Entweder durch das, was in den Medien über einen geschrieben wird, oder es gibt Menschen, die Gerüchte in Umlauf bringen," she noted when discussing public perceptions and the impact of media on personal image.
One amusing segment featured Schöneberger disguised as her character 'Berta', attempting to inject humor through her antics at a kiosk, which in turn satirized how public figures are perceived. "Darf ich bitte kurz zu meiner Ehrenrettung sagen: Mich alt und dick zu schminken, dauert immer noch länger als jung und dünn," she quipped, reflecting the playful nature of the segment.
Following the reveal of her identity during the prank, viewers were startled by the responses she received about her age. Reflecting on the public's perception, she lamented, "Alle haben gesagt, die ist über 60. Ich werde gerade vom Mädchen zur jungen Frau, sage ich mal. Und dann passiert so was." Her humorous yet poignant take on her recent experiences indicates how the media often dictates personal narratives.
Aside from the light-hearted moments, Schöneberger took this opportunity to address another serious issue during the show. "Wir haben übrigens nur für diesen Film die Werbung mit der Abnehmspritze erfunden. Ich werbe nicht für Abnehmspritzen und auch für sonst kein anderes Abnehmmittel," she clarified, effectively debunking any misconceptions about her endorsing weight-loss products. This was important as she mentioned having previously cautioned her audience about fake advertisements misusing her image, professing, "Momentan werbt jemand mit einem eigentlich ganz gut gefälschten Foto von mir… wenn es dieses Mittel geben sollte, ich würde auf allen Kanälen brachial dafür werben."
The Christmas episode of Verstehen Sie Spaß? demonstrates the way humor can resonate deeply within festive contexts, simultaneously addressing serious themes related to public perceptions and the challenges of celebrity culture. Driven by Schöneberger’s charm and the engagement of notable personalities, the show continues to capture the comedic essence of festive entertainment, proving once again why it resonates with audiences.
While the show faced tough competition, its performance and engagement proved valuable, especially within the desired demographics. Verstehen Sie Spaß? remains pivotal not only for its entertainment value but also its ability to spark conversations around societal norms through laughter.
