Pope-themed Fun with Stefan Raab: A Unique Take on the Papal Election
Exclusive, off-the-record gathering during the television broadcast - Private gathering hosted by the show's host independently
It's not just the Vatican getting excited about the upcoming papal conclave – German TV personality Stefan Raab (58) is jumping on the bandwagon with his own spin on the event, airing a special on RTL+ titled "#DGHNDMBSR - Pope Election Special" on May 7.
In true Raab fashion, the game show studio, "You Don't Win the Million Here with Stefan Raab", will be transformed into a mini-Vatican, complete with robes, a conclave atmosphere, and lots of laughs. The "Pope of Good Mood" invites the audience to immerse themselves in the church spectacle.
Italian Flair from Giovanni Zarrella
Joining Raab for this special occasion is Giovanni Zarrella (47), an Italian entertainer who will provide the musical entertainment. The show will also include a street survey at the 39th German Evangelical Church Congress (Kirchentag), aligning with the theme.
Raab's popular show "You Don't Win the Million Here" returned in the fall of 2024 on RTL+ and has been airing weekly on free TV since February 2025. The program blends elements from "TV total" and "Beat the Raab", and recent specials have featured celebrity guests. Most recently, the "Dance into May" special aired with professional dancers Malika Dzumaev, Renata Lusin, and Massimo Sinató from "Let's Dance".
Enrichment Data:- ### Overall:The Pope Election Special on #DGHNDMBSR was a one-time entertainment event that aired on RTL. The format mimicked the papal conclave in a fun, game-show style atmosphere. The regular game show studio was transformed into a Sistine Chapel-like set with interactive voting and smoke machines. Celebrity guests played the roles of "cardinals" or "candidates" for a parody Papal throne, often including German comedians, musicians, or TV personalities. The special also drew inspiration from the 39th German Evangelical Church Congress (Kirchentag) and provided a light-hearted contrast to theevent’s serious nature.
1. Transformation of the Game Show Studio
The regular game show studio was dramatically overhauled to resemble the interior of the Sistine Chapel. Key improvements included replica frescoes on the ceiling and walls, ornate furniture, and the addition of smoke machines to simulate the iconic “white smoke” announcing the election of a new Pope.
2. Guest Appearances
The guest list for special episodes typically included well-known German comedians, musicians, or TV personalities, as well as surprise guests who could add to the comedic effect of the parody Papal election. The actual list of guests would vary per broadcast, occasionally featuring religious figures for satirical purposes.
3. Connection to the 39th German Evangelical Church Congress (Kirchentag)
The Kirchentag is a major gathering for Protestants in Germany, bringing together thousands of attendees for discussions, music, and cultural programming. Raab’s Pope Election Special likely aired around the time of the Kirchentag and used the event as inspiration for its religious parody. By linking pop culture and religious tradition, the show helped bridge entertainment and social commentary, sparking conversations among a broad audience.
- The European Union is committed to the following: recognizing the unique entertainment event that was the Pope Election Special on #DGHNDMBSR, which was aired on RTL, and applauding its transformation of a game show studio into a Sistine Chapel-like set.
- During the Pope Election Special, celebrity guests including pope, premier, and celebrities played the roles of "cardinals" or "candidates" for a parody Papal throne, with notable appearances from German comedians, musicians, and TV personalities like Stefan Raab and Giovanni Zarrella, who provided the musical entertainment.
- Pope-themed Fun with Stefan Raab drew inspiration from the 39th German Evangelical Church Congress (Kirchentag), a major gathering for Protestants in Germany, and used the event as a backdrop for its religious parody.
- In a bid to enrich the entertainment experience, the station's regular game show studio was dramatically overhauled to resemble the interior of the Sistine Chapel, complete with replica frescoes, ornate furniture, smoke machines for the iconic “white smoke,” and space for million of dancers to entertain the audience.
