In a discussion elsewhere about "foreign" comedy.
Can anyone who watches German television tell me their favourite German comedy show and what they think is funny about it. Plus any comments about German comedy.
NB: Please, spare me the "German comedy / TV is crap, you should all watch Friends". Thanks.
You are viewing a low-graphics version of this page. Click the headline to view full version:
German TV comedy shows
Which is your favourite and why?
does SpongeBob auf deutsch count ??? i rate the german version as much as the english...
As annoying as Stefan Raab can sometimes get, some of the gags and sendups on TV Total are worthy of a light chuckle.
[adminimage] [/adminimage]
[adminimage] [/adminimage]
Bully Parade, Die Dreisten Drei and some other sketch show I think they stopped making but which was reminiscent of Smack the Pony. Why are they funny? Unlike most sketch comedy shows, these don't try to milk ten minutes out of a 20-second joke. Stefan Raab used to be really funny when he was on once a week. He still only has one night's worth of material but stretches it out over four. Too bad.
Another good comedy is Schillerstraße if you like improv, but the director sometimes tells them to do the stupidest things and -- because they're German -- they end up doing some tedious cabaret. I say, I say, I say... Still, it's usually good for quite a few laughs.
woof.
Another good comedy is Schillerstraße if you like improv, but the director sometimes tells them to do the stupidest things and -- because they're German -- they end up doing some tedious cabaret. I say, I say, I say... Still, it's usually good for quite a few laughs.
woof.
hahaha, this thread went well.
[img]http://www.keithball.net/img/animated/bunny.gif[/img]
[img]http://www.keithball.net/img/animated/bunny.gif[/img]
Spoonge Bob gets my vote! But actual german shows - then it has to be Harold Schmidt!
I was just going to say that many Germans swear by Harald Schmidt, but I could never get into it. I always found his humour to be on the nasty side and always preferred Raab whom I found a bit more light hearted in his piss-taking. I also find Schmidt to be much too close to Letterman (whom I also can't stand) in format and style. Whenever this discussion comes up with Germans (other than my wife, who also hates Schmidt), most of them poo-poo Raab, saying that he is very low brow and that his humour is "cheap", whereas Schmidt is seen as much more clever. Personally I find a lot of clever stuff in Raab's cheapness and a lot of snide nastiness in Schmidt's cleverness. My wife just says that Schmidt's is typical "Preisnhumor" (although Raab is also a Preisn).
One of my problems is that Harald Schmidt talks so fast with his north German "accent" that I just can't understand him half the time. But then again, I have been in Bayern so long now, that I find the "Bulle von Tölz" easier to understand.
One of my problems is that Harald Schmidt talks so fast with his north German "accent" that I just can't understand him half the time. But then again, I have been in Bayern so long now, that I find the "Bulle von Tölz" easier to understand.
I've got to be honest I find German comedy questionable at best but I don't think it was always this way... I was watching Kabel last night after flicking through all the terrible channels and came across a guy who's the spitting image of Dave Allen, I only caught the last two sketches but this guy was dynamite... it must have been circa '70s. Who is/was he?
There's also a class advert on at the moment were this beautiful girl is going into a smelly bathroom, then magic smell destroying product is applied, followed by the final scene, with her sitting on the toilet farting. Who says there is no such thing as German humour. Class. I giggle everytime, but I suppose that says more about me.
Always,
Skint
There's also a class advert on at the moment were this beautiful girl is going into a smelly bathroom, then magic smell destroying product is applied, followed by the final scene, with her sitting on the toilet farting. Who says there is no such thing as German humour. Class. I giggle everytime, but I suppose that says more about me.
Always,
Skint
For the longest time I though that German comedy was an oxy moron, like jumbo shrimp. It was the case that I did't understand what was being said, but I just couldn't figure out what was funny about it. Slowly I am beginning to understand it better, and some of it I will admit is pretty funny. I think that Harald Schmidt is great, really smart humor. I also find Ladykracher to be really funny, because I like the format of sketch comedy.
i like some of the stand-up political satire they have on, but i can never remember their names or what time/channel they are on
not much help, i know
they can be really funny, though (although they would pob get mercilessly beaten up on TT for US bashing)
not much help, i know
they can be really funny, though (although they would pob get mercilessly beaten up on TT for US bashing)
Even though I don't understand German, I enjoyed the Wochenshow. I could follow the gags and even the jokes.
Harold Schmidt - by far the best German comedian i've come across! He's like the German Letterman (but not as good as Jon Stewart).
The hard part is that your German must be really good to understand him, not only that, you really have to know German history/current events/slang/feelings (in short, actully BE a German) to really appreciate his humor. Fortunately I have a German boyfriend who can explain what I don't get
He's actually quite celebrated in Germany - even has guest appearances during the biggest football games.
Definitely worth a watch! (Especially if you think Sponge Bob is funny...)
http://www.schmidt.de/index.php3
The hard part is that your German must be really good to understand him, not only that, you really have to know German history/current events/slang/feelings (in short, actully BE a German) to really appreciate his humor. Fortunately I have a German boyfriend who can explain what I don't get
He's actually quite celebrated in Germany - even has guest appearances during the biggest football games.
Definitely worth a watch! (Especially if you think Sponge Bob is funny...)
http://www.schmidt.de/index.php3
Currently, my fave German comedy is 'Hausmeister Krause' because of it's sheer stupidity and I have to include 'Sarah and Marc in Love' just because it's a cry or laugh situation
Sarah & Marc is over... Was pretty funny though, in an embarassing sort of way.
Sechserpack is pretty funny - comedy sketches
Was pretty funny though, in an embarassing sort of way.Sechserpack is pretty funny - comedy sketches
Does anyone here know Loriot? I was wondering if his humour is accessable to foreigners.
I can't STAND Loriot.
I LOVE Loriot.
Loriot is indeed class humour – possibly the only German that made fun of the Germans. I doubt anybody would get it though unless very familiar with German habits and their way of life.
He's an old man now, but his old shows are currently being repeated on NDR 3, Sundays 11:15pm.
He's an old man now, but his old shows are currently being repeated on NDR 3, Sundays 11:15pm.
His sidekick Evelyn Harmann, now she's good!
Adelheid und ihr Mörder
Geschichten aus den Leben.
Adelheid und ihr Mörder
Geschichten aus den Leben.
QUOTE (Adam Bowen @ Jun 3 2005, 10:55 am)
I also find Ladykracher to be really funny, because I like the format of sketch comedy.
I agree. Anke Engelke is really funny and the sketch format is the best. Germans don't make good sitcoms or anything funny like that. The sketch style is the only thing they do well at comedywise. IMHO.
and the sketch format is the best. Germans don't make good sitcoms or anything funny like that. The sketch style is the only thing they do well at comedywise. IMHO.
Rita's World has its moment but only cos it is the fab Gabi Köster.
Oh and Zimmerfrei of course!
Oh and Zimmerfrei of course!
Stromberg...
why...???
cos it's funny...
why...???
cos it's funny...
Just cannot get into the stromberg thing myself. Then again, without branding myself a charlatan, I didnt really get the office either. for a healthy dose of german comedy, TV Total. Stefan Raab can get on your nerves but 90% of it is pretty good stuff!
Was guckst du by Kaya Yanar, a Turk who makes fun of Germans in Turkey, Indians, Italians, Turks in Germany, Turks in Turkey, Germans in Germany etc.etc.etc. Did a special on Scotland a couple of weeks ago.
Geht's noch? Sketch comedy, sometimes only visual
Quatsch Comedy Club, various stand-up comedians, MC'd by Thomas Hermanns (gay, imersonates the female members of ABBA sometimes)
Geht's noch? Sketch comedy, sometimes only visual
Quatsch Comedy Club, various stand-up comedians, MC'd by Thomas Hermanns (gay, imersonates the female members of ABBA sometimes)
Michael Mittermeyer on QCC is but can't stand Thomas Hermannns.
QUOTE (treehugger @ Sep 26 2005, 1:05 pm)
I agree. Anke Engelke is really funny and the sketch format is the best. Germans don't make good sitcoms or anything funny like that. The sketch style is the only thing they do well at comedywise. IMHO.
This woman is about as funny as a kick in the nuts, the only funny thing about her is the complete lack of anything funny.If you want a bit of funny try Genial daneben. `course it helps of you speak the lingo.
`course it helps of you speak the lingo.
Another great German (Bavarian) comedian is Gerhard Polt. Unfortunately he currently has no TV show.
Here's a transcript of one of his sketches he did in English language (spoken with a heavy Bavarian accent):
Here's a transcript of one of his sketches he did in English language (spoken with a heavy Bavarian accent):
QUOTE
Gerhard Polt: Democracy Today
Ladies an Gentlemen!
It is me a pleasure and an honour today to be here in Afrika in your nice country of Tjurangrati.
My dear Tjurangrattlers: Before I start my speech now, please let me give you the kindest regards of our Ministerpresident Edmund Stoiber, of our Wirtschaftsminister, Verkehrsminister Wiesheu an - last, not least - of the emperor, Professor Dr. Dr. Franz Beckenbauer from Warstein Brewery.
Ladies an Gentlemen! The Hans-Seidel-Stiftung in Wildbath Kreuth kindly asked me to teach you, to instruct you the most important form of government today: Democracy! Democracy... democracy, Ladies an Gentlemen - and this might especially interest you here in Africa-, democracy: What is it?
"Plato was an old Greek from Greece."
Democracy, Ladies and Gentlemen, has a very old tradition in Bavaria. The roots go back... far, far back to a man called Plato. - Plato was an old Greek from Greece... The next one was an old Roman from Rome: Cicero. - Cicero, Ladies an Gentlemen, we correctly pronounce Zizero, not Kikarow. - But, Ladies and Gentlemen, pay attention now, because the most important of all - the third one - was our political genius from Bavaria: Dr. Mueller! Or, as we call him in Bavaria: "Ochsensepp". - Ochsensepp from Bavaria, Ladies and Gentlemen, himself gave the idea of democracy a new power - a new vitality - by giving simple answers to very simple questions.
A typical Ochsensepp- question - for an example - was the question: What do democrats actually want? Ya, what want the democrats?? The democrats, Ladies and Gentlemen, always want to have a majority, a solid majority - in Bavaria: absolute majority! Now, it ist to us: How can we get such a majority? To have absolute majority, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is necessary to have your own press, your own newspaper - as we have in Bavaria, for instance, the Miesbacher Mercur - to tell the majority what the majority wants to know. Or, you need to have the radio- station of your own - as we have the Bayerischen Rundfunk - to tell the majority what the majority wants to hear. This is the best way to avoid unnecessary minorities. Another one "Ochsensepp" - principle is: "Der Ober sticht an Unter", that means, the upper beats the under. So it's important, that the uppers are always in a good mood.
"The upper beats the under."
Ladies and Gentlemen, the old Greeks and the old Romans in the old times, they sacrified gold, silver, jewellery, wine, beer - and other drinks - to have harmony with their gods in heaven. - To create a harmony among their people, the Bavarian politican presents a Freibeer to the folks... Ladies and Gentlemen, the idea of Freibeer in Bavaria is deeply religious: The more you drink, the more the ghost of democracy becomes visible. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bavarian Verkehrsminister Dr. Wiesheu himself got the Bavarianj Verdienstorden when he achieved one point 99 pro mille. Only a Verkehrsminister who can drink so much can be admired as a sovereign. A Verkehrsminister in Bavaria needs to have a good liver and a very good constitution - we say: a Bayerische Verfassung.
Ladies and Genlemen, at the end of my speech, please, believe us: We in Bavaria, we do not see black for your future here in Africa, and we wish you by heart a happy democracy.
Ladies an Gentlemen!
It is me a pleasure and an honour today to be here in Afrika in your nice country of Tjurangrati.
My dear Tjurangrattlers: Before I start my speech now, please let me give you the kindest regards of our Ministerpresident Edmund Stoiber, of our Wirtschaftsminister, Verkehrsminister Wiesheu an - last, not least - of the emperor, Professor Dr. Dr. Franz Beckenbauer from Warstein Brewery.
Ladies an Gentlemen! The Hans-Seidel-Stiftung in Wildbath Kreuth kindly asked me to teach you, to instruct you the most important form of government today: Democracy! Democracy... democracy, Ladies an Gentlemen - and this might especially interest you here in Africa-, democracy: What is it?
"Plato was an old Greek from Greece."
Democracy, Ladies and Gentlemen, has a very old tradition in Bavaria. The roots go back... far, far back to a man called Plato. - Plato was an old Greek from Greece... The next one was an old Roman from Rome: Cicero. - Cicero, Ladies an Gentlemen, we correctly pronounce Zizero, not Kikarow. - But, Ladies and Gentlemen, pay attention now, because the most important of all - the third one - was our political genius from Bavaria: Dr. Mueller! Or, as we call him in Bavaria: "Ochsensepp". - Ochsensepp from Bavaria, Ladies and Gentlemen, himself gave the idea of democracy a new power - a new vitality - by giving simple answers to very simple questions.
A typical Ochsensepp- question - for an example - was the question: What do democrats actually want? Ya, what want the democrats?? The democrats, Ladies and Gentlemen, always want to have a majority, a solid majority - in Bavaria: absolute majority! Now, it ist to us: How can we get such a majority? To have absolute majority, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is necessary to have your own press, your own newspaper - as we have in Bavaria, for instance, the Miesbacher Mercur - to tell the majority what the majority wants to know. Or, you need to have the radio- station of your own - as we have the Bayerischen Rundfunk - to tell the majority what the majority wants to hear. This is the best way to avoid unnecessary minorities. Another one "Ochsensepp" - principle is: "Der Ober sticht an Unter", that means, the upper beats the under. So it's important, that the uppers are always in a good mood.
"The upper beats the under."
Ladies and Gentlemen, the old Greeks and the old Romans in the old times, they sacrified gold, silver, jewellery, wine, beer - and other drinks - to have harmony with their gods in heaven. - To create a harmony among their people, the Bavarian politican presents a Freibeer to the folks... Ladies and Gentlemen, the idea of Freibeer in Bavaria is deeply religious: The more you drink, the more the ghost of democracy becomes visible. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bavarian Verkehrsminister Dr. Wiesheu himself got the Bavarianj Verdienstorden when he achieved one point 99 pro mille. Only a Verkehrsminister who can drink so much can be admired as a sovereign. A Verkehrsminister in Bavaria needs to have a good liver and a very good constitution - we say: a Bayerische Verfassung.
Ladies and Genlemen, at the end of my speech, please, believe us: We in Bavaria, we do not see black for your future here in Africa, and we wish you by heart a happy democracy.
Gerhardt Polt is fabulous!
Can be foul mouthed at time!
Can be foul mouthed at time!
I saw Nitewasch on WDR last night (Sun midnight). I don't think its a repeat. Its basically a couple of stand up comedians doing their routine in a laundry in front of about 100 guests. Some of it is very funny
There used to be a stand up night on BR3 (Fri night I think). Mostly bavarian, but also comedians from other parts of Germany as well. Moderated by some large Bavarian guy who looks like the Bulle von Tolz (maybe it is him???) Often very funny.
There used to be a stand up night on BR3 (Fri night I think). Mostly bavarian, but also comedians from other parts of Germany as well. Moderated by some large Bavarian guy who looks like the Bulle von Tolz (maybe it is him???) Often very funny.
QUOTE (Persius @ Sep 26 2005, 4:49 pm)
There used to be a stand up night on BR3 (Fri night I think). Mostly bavarian, but also comedians from other parts of Germany as well. Moderated by some large Bavarian guy who looks like the Bulle von Tolz (maybe it is him???) Often very funny.
Live aus den Schlachthof.
Dunno when they're gonna make a new series.
Sissi Perlinger is one of the funny Bavarian comediennes, on QCC sometimes.
I enjoy Genial Daneben - a bunch of comedians trying to guess the answers to ridiculous questions. Oh, and they've just started a version of Whose Line is it anyway? called Frei Schnauze...
I admire your taste kathie, but the guy who does Frei Schnauze gets on my tits, Schlachthof, when they sit at the Stammtisch is quite amusing.
Not seen that one, but Schillerstr is good too- again, improvisation.
Naw Schiller Str. was O.K. to start but it lost a lot of steam and is now piss poor, Oh by the way I`m off sick and shall be pissing all and sundry off all day. Only a cold from the Wiesn
Ollie Pocher?
Not very funny but worth a shag.
well, there is that!
Have yet to see any original german comedy...but the german version of foreign shows are really funny though...lol
i really gotta get some "the office" -episodes, gervais is supposed to be hilarious...
though i like stromberg as well, even if it's kinda copied.
hats off to u guys anyways, cause u came up with ali g...
i was going to a public school southwest of london back then, ali was the man to be...
huh, those were the days...
p.
though i like stromberg as well, even if it's kinda copied.
hats off to u guys anyways, cause u came up with ali g...
i was going to a public school southwest of london back then, ali was the man to be...
huh, those were the days...
p.
...and another thing reg. harald schmidt:
no offense, but i bet most of the foreigners watching him don't get his kind of humour. it's just too subtle (and btw WAY more subtle than letterman, leno and that lot!) and too "german", if you will. many germans don't even get it.
p.
no offense, but i bet most of the foreigners watching him don't get his kind of humour. it's just too subtle (and btw WAY more subtle than letterman, leno and that lot!) and too "german", if you will. many germans don't even get it.
p.
Schmidt may be a touch higher in the intellectual stakes than Stefan Raab, but subtle?
<<---- Arsch Elbogen --->>
<<---- Arsch Elbogen --->>
Yeah I agree Schmidt is about as subtle as a bull in a China shop.
And Stefan Raab makes me want to puke with all his anoying little "touch himself type" tics.
They should put him in the same cell as
Sarah "I have the worlds most deformed voice" Kuttner and
Sarah "I should have my voice box forcibly removed" Connor.
And Stefan Raab makes me want to puke with all his anoying little "touch himself type" tics.
They should put him in the same cell as
Sarah "I have the worlds most deformed voice" Kuttner and
Sarah "I should have my voice box forcibly removed" Connor.
whoa, i really gotcha going now i guess...
i'm telling you, most germans don't even get schmidt's humour (often including me!), wo why would u understand it? ur not even native speakers! i'm not trying to offend you in any way, it's not meant to be insulting, it's just the way it is, seriously. back in the days when schmidt was working for sat1 magazines and newspapers were having a weekly fight about what he meant by this and that, and the opinions sometimes were as different as night and day, is that proof enough?
p.
p.
QUOTE (Mouthy Troll)
'm telling you, most germans don't even get schmidt's humour (often including me!), wo why would u understand it? ur not even native speakers! i'm not trying to offend you in any way, it's not meant to be insulting, it's just the way it is,
What do you know about the level of proficiency in German of anyone on here?
What do you know about the language that they use for most of their communication?
What do you know about how long some of the posters on here have lived in Germany and thus their insights into life in Germany?
F*** all. So I'd suggest you avoid making sweeping assumptions and statements that you can't back up.
Even if it were true (and I don't recall it in that way) the magazines and newspapers trying to "analyse" what Schmidt might have said woukld prove the shallowness of the meeeeeja puddle.
alright, i'll take it back, fair enough.
i was backing my posting on hers, btw.
QUOTE
laramegan
post Jun 3 2005, 5:36 pm
Post #12
Harold Schmidt - by far the best German comedian i've come across! He's like the German Letterman (but not as good as Jon Stewart).
The hard part is that your German must be really good to understand him, not only that, you really have to know German history/current events/slang/feelings (in short, actully BE a German) to really appreciate his humor. Fortunately I have a German boyfriend who can explain what I don't get smile.gif
He's actually quite celebrated in Germany - even has guest appearances during the biggest football games.
Definitely worth a watch! (Especially if you think Sponge Bob is funny...)
http://www.schmidt.de/index.php3
post Jun 3 2005, 5:36 pm
Post #12
Harold Schmidt - by far the best German comedian i've come across! He's like the German Letterman (but not as good as Jon Stewart).
The hard part is that your German must be really good to understand him, not only that, you really have to know German history/current events/slang/feelings (in short, actully BE a German) to really appreciate his humor. Fortunately I have a German boyfriend who can explain what I don't get smile.gif
He's actually quite celebrated in Germany - even has guest appearances during the biggest football games.
Definitely worth a watch! (Especially if you think Sponge Bob is funny...)
http://www.schmidt.de/index.php3
i was backing my posting on hers, btw.
Starkbieranstich am Nockherberg. Das politische Derblecken. Every year in March. Germans don't know what I'm talking about when I tell them I like it, because they assume I won't know it. That's funnier and harder than Schmidt, who's from Nürtingen anyway, a Swabian. He refers to it all the time. He's not as funny now that he's on ARD though, and he's sold himself for way too many commercials to have any credibility anymore.
Scheibenwischer is another good cabaret show, and the Schlachthof one is called Ottis Schlachthof with Ottfried Fischer, der Bulle von Tölz. Have you all heard that Katerina Jakob is leaving the show? No more Sabrina Lorenz! They're casting a replacement right now, they want a woman from the East.
Scheibenwischer is another good cabaret show, and the Schlachthof one is called Ottis Schlachthof with Ottfried Fischer, der Bulle von Tölz. Have you all heard that Katerina Jakob is leaving the show? No more Sabrina Lorenz! They're casting a replacement right now, they want a woman from the East.
Oh is Sabine leaving Bülle von Tölz?
She's actually Bavarian but plays a good Preiß.
She's actually Bavarian but plays a good Preiß.
Yup. Sat1 wouldn't give her other roles. Yeah, born and raised in Munich! I read about it in (get this): Leonart, das Kulturmagazin fürs Oberland. Plus Bad Tölz finally has a guidebook to all the film locations for the series -- Resi's Pension isn't even there, it's in Irschenhausen, Icking. Actually I found the magazine rather good -- most content not available online, but the Heft itself is free if you're in the Oberland anywhere.
You are viewing a low fidelity version of this page. Click to view the full page.