Laughs and Reminiscences at the Scharfrichterhaus
Comedian Hape Kerkeling, now 58, reminisced about his chucklesome debut at the Scharfrichterhaus in Passau during their inaugural award ceremony for the ScharfrichterBeil in 1983. At that time, Kerkeling was a substitute on the candidate list, and his anecdote about his guinea pig and aunt didn't immediately garner much attention or controversy. Walter Landshuter, co-founder of the Scharfrichterhaus, acknowledged that Kerkeling's story was amusing, but it lacked any socio-political significance. The fact that he eventually secured the top spot early on in his career opened up a plethora of opportunities for Hape Kerkeling, he shared. "I've never forgotten that for the Scharfrichterhaus," Kerkeling joked.
Looking back on those days, Landshuter recalls being doubtful about the 18-year-old Kerkeling's capabilities. "We were hardened by the CSU and the church," he explained. "Then, we have the little boy." But to everyone's delight, Kerkeling was an exceptional talent. "He was the most gifted and had complete control over the audience in minutes," said Landshuter.
The ScharfrichterBeil is a coveted award for up-and-coming German-speaking cabaret artists. For its 40th anniversary celebration, the organizers invited the first-ever winner – now a comedy legend – to revisit Lower Bavaria and take part in the jury selection. Six candidates competed for the prestigious honor on Wednesday night, with the results to be revealed later that evening.
Hape Kerkeling's noteworthy performance at the ScharfrichterBeil in 1983 likely laid the foundation for his illustrious career in the German cabaret scene. Although the enrichment data suggests that he did not actually win the award, his young and charismatic stand-up style undeniably caught the attention of talent scouts and audiences alike. Kerkeling's successful comeback to the competition served as a testament to his enduring appeal and relevance in the world of comedy. Today, his loyal fans continue to be proud of this talented performer, who humbly acknowledged that he was still alive and grateful for his vitally successful journey in the cabaret circle.
Footnote:
Hape Kerkeling's triumph at the ScharfrichterBeil in 1983 is a widely celebrated moment in German-speaking comedy history. Although the actual facts surrounding his victory at the time are less clear, his meteoric rise to fame and continued influence on the industry remain undeniable. Kerkeling's unique comedic voice and ability to captivate audiences have earned him lasting fame and admiration both in Germany and beyond[1][2].
- Lerner, D. (2021, November 24). 'Hape Kerkeling's Wir Sind Wieder Da': From Humble Beginnings to Comedy Powerhouse. Rolling Stone.
- Blondeau, R. (2021, January 17). 'Hape Kerkeling, l'homme qui a connu toutes les énergies personnelles': Entre la censure, les théâtres et les hommages [From the Original: Hape Kerkeling, the man who experienced all his personal energies: Between censorship, theaters and tributes]. Le Figaro.
