On April 9, 2025, the highly anticipated eighth season of "Joko & Klaas gegen ProSieben" premiered, featuring the dynamic duo of Joko Winterscheidt and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf. This season marks a significant change, as the show will now air on Wednesday evenings instead of the traditional Tuesday slot. The change aims to capture a fresh audience while maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and competition against their employer, ProSieben.
The premiere episode, however, did not go as planned for the hosts. Despite their best efforts, Joko and Klaas only managed to win two out of six games, falling short against a lineup of celebrity guests and their own channel. Notable competitors included actress Palina Rojinski and comedian Torsten Sträter, who teamed up to challenge the pair in a music guessing game that engaged the audience in lively participation.
As the episode unfolded, the duo faced a particularly challenging task that involved a road trip from Berlin to Munich in an old Lada. They were required to follow a red line on the ground, and astonishingly, they were not allowed to touch the ground outside the vehicle. This unique twist added layers of difficulty to their journey, as they had to navigate various obstacles while racing against the clock to leave Berlin by noon.
During the episode, Klaas humorously remarked, "We're doing Wednesday now, in 2030 we'll be on Thursday, folks," hinting at the evolving nature of their show and their long-term plans. The playful banter between the hosts, especially their teasing of Steven Gätjen, the show's beloved moderator, added to the episode's charm. Gätjen, who has been with the show since its inception in 2019, remains a central figure, guiding the audience through the various antics of Joko and Klaas.
In the final game, titled "Zollstöcke," the duo was tasked with passing objects across a distance using folding rules, a challenge that proved too daunting. They only succeeded in transferring four out of seven items, resulting in a loss for the episode. As a consequence, the pair must now create two new animated characters to join the existing "Ansager-Alpaka" for program announcements on ProSieben. This lighthearted punishment reflects the show's playful spirit, allowing the entertainers to remain in the limelight even in defeat.
The show's format continues to thrive on its unpredictability, with each episode featuring new games that test the physical and psychological limits of the hosts. For every game won, Joko and Klaas earn advantages for the final showdown, where they can win a coveted 15 minutes of airtime to use as they please. However, losing typically means enduring an embarrassing punishment, a formula that has kept audiences entertained throughout the years.
Despite their struggles in the premiere, the show achieved a remarkable 15.4 percent market share among viewers aged 14 to 49, solidifying its status as a prime-time favorite. ProSieben celebrated this success, emphasizing the strong connection between the network and its star hosts. Hannes Hiller, the managing director of ProSieben, expressed his excitement over the continued partnership, stating, "The relationship between Joko and Klaas and ProSieben is something very special and is based on deep mutual trust. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and create surprises for our viewers."
Looking ahead, the next episode promises more excitement as Joko and Klaas face off against a new array of celebrity challengers, including actors Jannik Schümann and Kostja Ullmann, as well as musician Ross Antony and comedians Till Reiners and Alex Stoldt. The show will continue to air every Wednesday at 8:15 p.m., allowing fans to tune in weekly for their dose of entertainment.
As the eighth season unfolds, viewers can expect the same blend of humor, creativity, and unexpected twists that have made "Joko & Klaas gegen ProSieben" a beloved staple of German television. With the stakes high and the challenges ever-evolving, the duo's journey against their own employer is sure to entertain and engage audiences across the nation.
