Thomas "TG" Gottschalk, the beloved German TV personality, bid an emotional farewell to the long-running show "Wetten, dass..." on Saturday evening. Contrary to initial beliefs, this wasn't a tearful goodbye, as the 73-year-old clarified, "I'm not in despair, my life goes on, and I'm looking forward to everything that's coming." Quite the contrary, he was driven out of the Offenburg hall in an excavator, waving and thanking the cheering audience who had been an integral part of his television journey.
TG cited two primary reasons for retiring from "Wetten, dass...". Firstly, he became disinterested in spending time researching his guests' backgrounds for the show, as their stories often required explanation. Secondly, he wanted to prevent any potential "shitstorms" by saying something controversial on live television that could impact his personal life and well-being.
His longtime friend and show creator, Frank Elstner, embraced TG at the end, expressing gratitude for his endurance. TG had once taken Elstner's place as the show's host. Elstner praised TG as a "legend," paying tribute to his remarkable career and impact on the world of German entertainment.
With TG's 154th episode coming to a close, ZDF has yet to announce its plans for the show's future. The audience turned in to witness TG's final appearance, although he seemed anything but retiring in spirit, expressing his eagerness for the future and his continued work in the entertainment industry.
Despite his decision to retire from "Wetten, dass...", TG's love for the industry remains undiminished. In fact, he continues to work tirelessly, participating in various shows, and events despite his advanced age of 73. His decision to stay employed stems from his financial situation, as his pension does not meet his living expenses.
[Source: Handelsblatt]
[1] "Thomas Gottschalk: 'Ich will nicht alt werden.'" Handelsblatt, 2023.
