In a surprising turn of events during the latest episode of the RTL show "Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert," host Thomas Gottschalk announced his retirement from Saturday evening television, marking the end of a remarkable 35-year career. The announcement came amid a heated moment between co-hosts Barbara Schöneberger and Günther Jauch, which Gottschalk deemed serious enough to prematurely end the show.
The episode, themed "Märchenwald," featured Schöneberger, Jauch, and Gottschalk facing off against contestants Evelyn Burdecki and Uwe Ochsenknecht. Tensions escalated after the fourth game, "Prinzessin auf der Matratze," where Burdecki and Ochsenknecht were leading. This prompted a light-hearted yet pointed exchange between Schöneberger and Jauch, with Jauch making a remark about Schöneberger's weight after she struggled to stack mattresses. "That has something to do with the overall weight," he quipped, to which Schöneberger retorted, "You can't diss within the team like that!"
Gottschalk, witnessing the friction, decided to intervene, stating, "You have won, and the evening is over," referring to the contestants' success. However, this was all in jest, and shortly after, Schöneberger and Jauch returned to their places, allowing the show to continue.
As the episode drew to a close, Gottschalk made a heartfelt announcement about his departure from the world of Saturday night entertainment. "There is always a moment where you can say: 'That was it for me on Saturday evening'. And this day has come today," he expressed. With his 75th birthday approaching on May 11, 2025, he felt it was time to step back from the spotlight. "I have been in charge of Saturday evenings for 35 years. I have always said, when the Pope is younger than me, then it’s time for me to go. The Pope is now younger than me, so I am saying goodbye to Saturday night entertainment."
Gottschalk's career began in the 1970s at Bayerischer Rundfunk, where he hosted several radio shows before transitioning to television. He became a household name when he took over the hosting duties for "Wetten, dass..?" in 1987, a show that became one of the most successful entertainment programs in the German-speaking world. After hosting 154 episodes, he concluded that chapter of his life in November 2023.
Since 2018, Gottschalk has co-hosted "Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert" alongside Schöneberger and Jauch, a show that recently attracted nearly two million viewers, achieving its best ratings since 2022. Despite his retirement, Gottschalk will host one final episode on December 6, 2025, before stepping away for good.
In recent months, speculation about Gottschalk's retirement had been brewing. In September 2024, he hinted at stepping back from the entertainment scene with a post on Instagram, stating, "Stefan Raab is coming back – I am saying goodbye!" Raab, a fellow television personality, had previously taken a hiatus from the industry, making his return a significant topic of discussion.
Additionally, Gottschalk had announced the end of his podcast "Die Supernasen" in 2024. He expressed in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper that he and co-host Mike Krüger were tired of being misunderstood, especially after a controversial joke he made about singer Maite Kelly. His recent book, "Ungefiltert: Bekenntnisse von einem, der den Mund nicht halten kann," published in the fall of 2024, also discussed his experiences and frustrations with being labeled as an "old white man" in the media landscape.
As the entertainment world prepares for Gottschalk's departure, his contributions to German television will not be forgotten. His unique style and charisma have left an indelible mark on Saturday night programming, and fans will undoubtedly miss his presence. The future of "Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert" without him remains uncertain, but his legacy will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.
In the end, Thomas Gottschalk's retirement is not just a personal milestone but a significant moment in the history of German television. As he steps away from the cameras, viewers are left to reflect on the countless memories he has created over the decades, and the laughter he has brought into homes across the nation.
