After almost 22 years and more than 700 programs on WDR and on the first: Frank Plasberg (65) moderated his last “hard but fair” edition on Monday. 3.59 million viewers tuned in to say goodbye. That means a strong market share of 13.7 percent. According to “Quotenmeter”, the last episode achieved the second highest reach of the format this year.
A few days before the start of the controversial football World Cup in Qatar, this topic is of course in focus. The editors only clear the last ten minutes for Plasberg’s farewell. There is a humorous review of the highlights of the past 22 years. The team gathers in the studio and applauds the outgoing presenter. “Thanks Frank!” is written in large letters on the studio’s video wall.
Plasberg is visibly touched, he thanks the “many people” who “have remained loyal” to the format. His assistant Brigitte Büscher, an employee from the start, loosens up the emotional affair somewhat. She reads a snappy comment from the audience: “What’s the best thing about the World Cup? That Plasberg stops!”
Louis Klamroth (33) is also a guest in the studio. The son of actor Peter Lohmeyer (60) will take over the moderation of the political talk show after the winter break on January 9th.
The old moderator says goodbye to the audience with the words “Stay clean”. Before that, he named his project for the TV pension. “Always wear light-colored clothes – and smell nice”. A professor who was once a guest on the show advised him that.
