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Stefan Raab's rocky TV comeback divides critics and audiences alike

A legend's return was supposed to be triumphant—but low ratings and brutal critiques reveal the steep price of reinvention. Can Raab reclaim his magic?

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The image shows a poster with a drawing of three people, with the words "One of Chauncey's Little Jokes" written at the top and bottom. The people in the drawing appear to be laughing, suggesting that the poster is meant to be humorous.

Stefan Raab's rocky TV comeback divides critics and audiences alike

Stefan Raab made a high-profile return to television in September 2024 after his rematch against Regina Halmich. Since then, he has launched multiple new shows—but not all have succeeded. Critics, including comedian Oliver Pocher, have openly questioned the quality and impact of his comeback. Raab's first new project was Du gewinnst hier nicht die Million bei Stefan Raab, a comedy-improv game show that aired in late 2024. The programme was axed after a few months due to disappointing ratings. Despite this setback, he continued developing fresh formats.

In March 2026, he teamed up with Barbara Schöneberger for *Wer weiß wie wann was war?*, a quiz show testing historical knowledge. Meanwhile, *Die Stefan Raab Show*, a late-night programme, has faced its own struggles, recently drawing just 380,000 viewers. Another ongoing format, *Stefan & Bully gegen irgendson Schnulli*, has also aired since 2024. Oliver Pocher has been a vocal critic of Raab's return. He described the new shows as a 'catastrophic failure' and accused them of lacking originality. Pocher claimed Raab was 'digging his own grave' with each episode and questioned whether financial motives were driving the comeback. He also suggested that, despite the mixed reception, Raab had already secured his future earnings.

Raab's television revival has produced four distinct formats since 2024, but viewer numbers and critical responses remain uneven. While some shows continue to air, the early cancellation of his first project highlights the challenges of matching his past success. The debate over his comeback's direction—and its long-term impact—persists among industry observers.

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