In a surprise turn of events, Thomas Gottschalk hastily concluded the final episode of his iconic "Wetten, dass..." career. Despite maintaining the familiar setup with celebrity chats and wacky bets, the legendary showmaster's urgency to wrap up felt unprecedented.
The show started off traditionally, with nostalgia settling in as familiar elements made an appearance — celeb chats on the sofa, endearing Gottschalk slip-ups, and bizarre bets. Even Matthias Schweighöfer joined in on the hilarity, praising Gottschalk's wine-red outfit, which drew a speedy Gottschalk comeback filled with charm.
A star-studded lineup graced the finale, including Take That, Helene Fischer, and a noticeably aged (yet timeless) Cher performing live. Additionally, Julia Reichert paid a touching visit as a former child contestant, connecting the present with the show's vivacious past. The show's antics picked up pace with wacky bets and oddball performances, such as Horst Freckmann's uncanny ability to identify roosters, and the unforgettable spectacle of Julia Reichert winning by guessing old show barcodes.
As the clock struck 11:20 PM, Gottschalk delivered an emotional farewell, referencing his changed approach to television appearances and struggles with connecting with younger celebrities. Although he admitted to being unfamiliar with the newer batch of celebrities, Gottschalk's professionalism and charm had kept "Wetten, dass..." relevant over the years.
The show's finale featured an unexpected touch: a giant excavator drove Gottschalk off the stage, accompanied by "Super Nose" Mike Krüger. The comedic ending left viewers with a satisfied smile, but the show's abrupt and emotional conclusion packed a powerful punch — extended farewells and teary goodbyes were much needed as Gottschalk bid adieu to his legendary career in "Wetten, dass..."
- After the show, Thomas Gottschalk expressed his discomfort with not being as familiar with younger celebrities, mentioning that he still hung onto his past memorabilia popularly known as his "Siebensachen" and "Murmeln".
- During the finale, Frank Elstner, a regular presenter on ZDF's 'wetten, dass…?', made an appearance to bet on whether Gottschalk could guess the nationalities of celebrities based on their accents.
- The international "wetten, dass…?" guests often used the excuse of having to catch a flight, as Helene Fischer's colleague Shirin David did, by saying, "We have to catch a plane".
