RTL's popular quiz show, Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert, faced significant backlash last Saturday, December 14, 2024, following a cringe-worthy birthday blunder and the controversial use of puppies as prizes.
Hosted by veteran entertainers Thomas Gottschalk and Günther Jauch, alongside Barbara Schöneberger and special guests Mike Krüger and Victoria Swarovski, the episode, themed around festive cheer, took a strange turn when host Thorsten Schorn mistakenly congratulated Schöneberger on her birthday.
"Wir dachten, wir machen dir heute zum Geburtstag eine kleine Freude!" Schorn enthusiastically announced, prompting Swarovski and the audience to join in and sing "Happy Birthday." Confusion spread across Schöneberger's face as she interrupted, exclaiming, "Hallo! Ich habe nicht Geburtstag!" Her actual birthday is not until March 5, 2025.
The mix-up escalated quickly as Schorn attempted to rectify the situation, saying, "Dann hat Mike Krüger heute Geburtstag, kann das sein?" This time, he hit the nail on the head—Krüger was celebrating his 73rd birthday on the very same day.
But the confusion did not end there, as the episode also featured several games where puppies were handed out as prizes instead of points. Schöneberger expressed her excitement during the pet quiz segment, eagerly trying to win for her team. The atmosphere turned light-hearted, with Schöneberger joking, "Ich hab' schon versucht, einen in die Bluse zu stecken," which received mixed laughs from the audience.
While the intention behind puppy prizes may have been to inject humor and cuteness, it stirred outrage among animal welfare advocates. Viewers took to social media platforms, proclaiming, "Hunde sind kein Spielzeug, das ist unverantwortlich, was ihr da macht, und beschämend.", criticizing RTL's decision to treat puppies as counting points.
Others echoed similar sentiments, stating, "So viel Stress für solch kleine Wesen. Wirklich unverantwortlich." These comments added fuel to the fire of public dissent, highlighting the ethical ramifications of using animals for entertainment.
Despite the criticism, the show maintained its hallmark chaotic energy, characteristic of its title, which translates to "They Don't Know What Happens." Throughout the evening, Gottschalk, Jauch, Schöneberger, and their guests engaged in various humorous segments and games, including one where jokes about calling celebrities were tossed around with varying degrees of success.
At one point, Krüger remarked, "Da ist man ja eine derart warme Wurst," pointing to the humorous nature of the evening, even as the audience remained divided on the show's more sensitive aspects.
Another segment involved solving playful tasks, including pulling out a napkin from under a glass without spilling it, which prompted jokes ranging from playful to risqué. Jauch, ever the sly commentator, found the humor running unethical at times, leading the audience through gaffes and blunders.
Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert has always embraced spontaneity and humor rooted in nostalgia and childhood, but the use of live animals as prizes seemed to overshadow the festive intent and remained at the forefront of many viewers' minds.
Moving forward, RTL may have to reconsider some of its game formats and the way it engages both its audience and participants—especially keeping animal welfare at the forefront of any merriment. This incident serves as a reminder of responsibility, even amid laughter and games.
