Stefan Raab's jungle comeback on RTL sparks debate over sharp contestant remarks

From axed quiz shows to jungle jabs—Raab's RTL return is as bold as ever. But is his humor still landing with viewers?

, and ASMedia

2026 January 28 . 3:20 AM

2 min read

The image shows a man in a black hoodie holding a microphone, standing in front of a wall. He... — The image shows a man in a black hoodie holding a microphone, standing in front of a wall. He appears to be a comedian, as he is wearing a black suit and a white shirt. His hair is slicked back and he has a confident expression on his face.

"What a mess!": Stefan Raab in the Dschungel's wake - Stefan Raab's jungle comeback on RTL sparks debate over sharp contestant remarks

Stefan Raab has returned to RTL with a Celebrity Jungle special of The Stefan Raab Show. The comedian's comeback follows a break from television after his earlier weekly programme was axed. His latest appearance, however, has already sparked controversy over his remarks about contestants. The new show aired as a short segment after the regular I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! aftershow. Meanwhile, RTL has confirmed another project with Raab—a Saturday night programme co-hosted with Barbara Schöneberger, due in spring 2026. Raab's initial return to RTL came with You Won't Win a Million with Stefan Raab, a weekly quiz show. It lasted only a few episodes before cancellation due to low viewer numbers. His latest venture, a jungle-themed edition of The Stefan Raab Show, took a different approach by piggybacking on the popularity of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. During the broadcast, Raab made sharp comments about several contestants, including Ariel, Samira Yavuz, and Stephen Dürr. His criticism drew attention, though not all of it positive. Sonja Zietlow, a long-time jungle participant, later remarked that Raab would 'mop up everything' left behind by her and others—suggesting he was capitalising on the show's existing success. Despite his involvement, Raab previously dismissed I'm a Celebrity… as 'gross-out TV' and claimed he had no real interest in the format. The success of his jungle detour remains unclear, as viewers may already feel familiar with the contestants from the main show. Beyond the jungle special, RTL has announced Wer weiß wie wann was war?, a new Saturday night programme with Raab and Barbara Schöneberger. The show, produced by Raab Entertainment, is scheduled for spring 2026 and marks a longer-term return for the presenter. Raab's latest RTL projects signal a cautious comeback after earlier setbacks. His jungle-themed show has already generated discussion, though its lasting appeal is still untested. With a new Saturday night programme on the horizon, the network appears committed to keeping him in the spotlight.