Thomas Gottschalk Bids Farewell in Delayed RTL Broadcast Amid Cancer Revelation
Cologne, Germany – Thomas Gottschalk received a hero’s welcome saturday evening as he hosted what is expected to be his final Saturday night show on RTL, “Because they don’t know what’s happening.” The broadcast, however, was pre-recorded and aired with a slight delay, a standard industry practice to allow for potential technical adjustments, according to reports. The emotional send-off comes just days after Gottschalk publicly announced his cancer diagnosis.
Gottschalk was joined by co-hosts Günther Jauch and Barbara Schöneberger, the latter two paying tribute to a 2000 “Wetten, dass..?” appearance by Gottschalk by wearing tartan skirts. Signs reading “TV God” and “‘Wetten Dass..?'” were visible in the audience, reflecting the widespread affection for the veteran entertainer. “I’m sticking with it, that’s what I’ve always said,” Gottschalk stated, reaffirming his commitment to the show despite his recent health announcement.
The program featured guests including presenter Jörg Pilawa, singer Giovanni Zarrella, and comedian mike Krüger, a long-time freind of Gottschalk. at the show’s outset, Gottschalk, Jauch, and Schöneberger participated in a guessing game focused on estimating the ages of people and events, while his wife Karina was seen visibly excited in the audience.
Gottschalk initially announced his departure from the show in May,shortly before his 75th birthday. In a video message posted to Instagram Saturday morning, he urged fans not to worry, stating, “Please don’t worry about me. You know that I approach things positively. That’s what I’m doing in this case too.” RTL declined to comment on the specific reasons for the broadcast delay, as reported by t-online.de.