Those who want to pursue a career usually keep their big goals to themselves and secretly work on their professional successes. Some people may manifest it, others may plan one career step after the next in a sophisticated way. But there are also those who stand on a stage and from there megalomaniacally trumpet what they feel called to do. This group includes the twins Bill and Tom Kaulitz, who became famous as teenagers with their band Tokio Hotel.
In 2023, lead singer Bill Kaulitz announced on stage at the “1LIVE Krone” awards ceremony that he and his brother would like to Thomas Gottschalk would inherit. And in their chatter podcast “Kaulitz Hills” they repeatedly reiterated how good they are at “Wetten, dass…?” would fit. ZDF has always weighed things down – until now.
Because on Monday evening, the industry service DWDL reported that the two will take over the ZDF cult show in the future. ZDF has been secretive about the issue so far, but fueled the rumors with photos of the Kaulitz brothers. When asked by taz, the broadcaster replied: “ZDF and Bill and Tom Kaulitz have big plans. We’ll give an update soon.”
Recently there have been increasing signs that there might be something to the rumors: a video advertisement in Hamburg Central Station, a posting on Instagram, a lack of denial to the press.
The promised update from ZDF finally followed on Wednesday morning. As was confirmed in the ZDF “Morgenmagazin”, the show is returning – and “the one with the Kaulitz brothers”. The Magdeburg twins had previously put an end to the rumor mill themselves in the latest episode of their podcast “Kaulitz Hills – Mustard from Hollywood”. “We’re going to bet that..?” bring back,” said Tom Kaulitz. However, this is only about one edition of the long-running television hit, which is scheduled to be broadcast at the end of the year.
In any case, a new appointment is a good idea. And what’s more: The Kaulitz brothers could be nothing less than the salvation of the stricken German television. And give ZDF a significantly younger audience.
Thomas Gottschalk is not convinced
It’s been twenty years since the boys from Saxony-Anhalt came along “Through the monsoon” became world famous in one fell swoop. While on the one hand they could no longer save themselves from (mostly female) fans, at the same time they were laughed at by the majority, by others even deeply hated and threatened.
This attention caused the brothers to flee to Los Angeles. For many people they were simply too different, too flashy. Today, Bill is celebrated as a queer icon and her music is no longer her only mainstay. The two are among the most successful podcasters in the country, with “Kaulitz & Kaulitz” her own Netflix showsat on various reality show juries and seem to bring a new product onto the market every month.
And no matter what the jacks of all trades start, it works. Because their honest nature and their warm cooperation are refreshingly different. Tom and Bill Kaulitz can also laugh at themselves and others – but in contrast to many other German TV personalities, they do so without any sexist jokes. And even though they now lead the lives of the super-rich with helicopter flights, pools in the garden and employees in the villa, they give you the feeling that they are still the nice Magdeburg boys next door.
Thomas Gottschalk doesn’t think the Kaulitz brothers are suitable for the job. But regardless of what the pensioner thinks about it, the public broadcaster is guaranteed to be a success. Because if, as reported, on December 5th there really is “Bet that…?” comes back after a three-year break with Tom and Bill Kaulitz, ZDF can certainly look forward to great ratings.