Anne Will Bids Farewell - Highlights from 16 Years of her Talk Show Spectacle
As the chimes of Sunday evening rang out, renowned talk show host, Anne Will, handed over the baton to her successor, Caren Miosga. The limelight now belongs to the former "Tagesthemen" host.
Looking back at her illustrious, 16-year career, Anne Will has moderated 1,300 guests in 553 programs. The stage saw its fair share of scandals, outbursts, and bold statements. Anne Will's evolution is evident - the years were not all sunshine and roses.
The First Steps
September 16, 2007: Anne Will debuted her Sunday talk show, kicking off with the title "Returns instead of respect - when work loses its value." Among the prominent figures, SPD leader Kurt Beck and North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Jürgen Rüttgers, were featured. While critics varied in their reactions, they all agreed that Anne Will persistently pursued the right questions.
Merkel and "We can do it"
Eight years later, in 2015, Anne Will engaged in a significant exchange with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. The focus was the refugee crisis. Anne Will continued her inquiries until Merkel finally echoed her famous, "We can do it."
Wagenknecht's Disputes with the SPD
Trouble brewed on Will's talk show in 2017 when Sahra Wagenknecht, then the Leader of the Left Party parliamentary group, engaged in a heated controversy with Olaf Scholz (SPD). Wagenknecht claimed that Germany was teetering on the brink of social collapse. Scholz proceeded to liken Wagenknecht to former US President Donald Trump and branded her a conspiracy theorist. This, in turn, created deep rifts, pushing a red-red-green coalition further into the future.
Criticism of Maassen
Right before the 2021 general election, Anne Will invited the then CDU chancellor candidate, Armin Laschet, as well as Fridays for Future activist Luisa Neubauer. Neubauer took aim at the direct candidacy of former head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maaßen, who was contesting the election in Thuringia at the time. Neubauer accused Laschet of not distancing himself adequately from Maaßen, who she dubbed racist, anti-Semitic, identitarian, and science-denying.
"Dear Ms. Illner"
Anne Will was also spared as a guest on her rival's show, Maybrit Illner's. When attempting to interrupt Managing Director of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, Ingrid Hartges, during a Corona program, Hartges retorted, "Dear Ms. Illner, I'm here for the first time today...". Will paused for a moment, humorously stating, "Will is my name." Hartges replied, embarrassed, "Oh, for God's sake." Will took it in stride, chiming back, "I look so similar."
The Final Farewell
On the last show on December 3, 2023, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck joined the panel and praised Will. Habeck expressed sein gratitude for 16 years of enlightenment, stating, "That was a defining style." Writer Navid Kermani also paid his respects to Will, gracing her with his presence for the occasion. It was a touch of recognition that spoke volumes.
In her heartfelt farewell to the audience, Anne Will addressed the camera, "I would also like to thank you for the great trust and interest you have shown us. It has to be said that we have spent quite a few hours together over the past 16 years. I have to say, it was a pleasure." It was an "honor," she added, even if it might sound a bit sentimental.
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