Gottschalk wants the "Wetten, dass..?" campfire to crackle again

Almost a year after the TV comeback of "Wetten, dass..?" the ZDF show goes into the next round on Saturday: This time entertainer Thomas Gottschalk (72) welcomes his guests at 8:15 p.m. live from the exhibition center in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance . At his side, Michelle Hunziker (45) should again lead through the show.

14 million viewers tuned in to the last show. When asked about the pressure of expectations, Gottschalk said: "Of course I'm aware that the expectations are high, but I won't let that drive me crazy. It's about entertainment. As long as everyone watching me is having fun, the class goal is achieved. The more the better."

He wants to entertain people and wants as many viewers as possible. "Wetten dass..?" was often referred to as the "fireplace of the nation". I'm happy about this description and I'll do everything to make it crackle again this time."

One of the prominent guests is British pop star Robbie Williams, who celebrated his “Wetten, dass..?” debut around 20 years ago. In his own words, he is now more relaxed on the "Wetten, dass..?" couch. "I've done this a number of times. I now understand what is expected of me, what is necessary," said Williams.

His first appearance on Thomas Gottschalk's Saturday evening show about 20 years ago, on the other hand, was rather scary. "It felt very, very unusual because every interview I'd ever given on television was three minutes long."

With "Wetten dass ..?" he was suddenly on live television for several hours. "I had never experienced that before. And there is a certain vulnerability that comes with being on live TV for a long period of time with a translator in your ear.”