Not only since Thomas Gottschalk’s (73) final “Wetten,dass..?” edition at the end of November, the numerous loyal fans of the ZDF show have been wondering how – or whether – the format will continue. With the exception of the fact that Gottschalk has now finally announced his departure, nothing is known about the possible future of “Wetten, dass…?” But ZDF boss Norbert Himmler (52) gave at least a glimmer of hope to the “Bild” newspaper.
The last edition so far was “a great, nostalgic moment that we experienced there. It showed once again the strength and power of the format.” Apparently also within the station, because with his following sentence, Himmler definitely makes you sit up and take notice: “Now we’re taking a pause for thought, based on the James Bond title: ‘Never say never’.”
A clear farewell to the successful format definitely sounds different. The broadcaster had previously told the news agency spot on news upon request: “ZDF will decide in due course what will happen next with the format.”
At least “Bild” claims to have learned that the pause for thought could only last until summer 2025. As possible successors who are supposed to drive generational change, the obvious names are largely boiling up in the rumor mill, i.e. proven greats of the public broadcaster: Barbara Schöneberger (49), Florian Silbereisen (42) and Giovanni Zarrella (45).
Meanwhile, Gottschalk himself commented on a much more surprising rumor in his podcast “Die Supernasen” a few days ago. Colleague Mike Krüger (72) spoke to him about the fact that he had read that the twins Bill and Tom Kaulitz (34) had been included in the circle of potential successors.
Gottschalk then replied that he had already heard the rumor and immediately contacted ZDF to find out: “Of course I immediately asked whether that was the case, because I am of course interested in what will become of this program. ZDF is not having any discussions – neither with one, nor with the other Kaulitz. Not even with Heidi Klum, who is, so to speak, the legal guardian of both of them.”
