The audience is still happy with Sophie Berner. The musical actress was singing Cher’s hit song when Thomas Gottschalk took the stage and half-asked, half-announced: “Oh, it’s my turn.”
Actually, it’s Cher’s turn. Actor Hannes Jaenicke has already given praise, Thomas Gottschalk should now present the pop star with his Bambi in the “Legends” category at the end of the gala. However, the 75 year old showmaster doesn’t seem to want to accept that. He said: “I’m actually from the ‘Silent Legend’ department, but I also don’t know how I got among the legends.”
“The only woman I take seriously in my life”
Only then did he meet the award winner – with some delay: “This is her. The only woman I have taken seriously in my entire life.” Whistles and boos could be heard from the audience. Gottschalk didn’t seem to hear it. He continued: “And this, Cher, Cher – nothing as heavy as Cher. I also mixed up a lot of names in ‘Wetten, dass…?’ I also announced people who didn’t come at all. With Cher I was always sure: she was there.”
Now Cher appeared on stage, but Gottschalk did not look at the singer. Instead, he mistook Sophie Berner, Cher’s much younger musical twin, for Cher. Berner was just about to leave the stage opposite Gottschalk. As if to himself, Gottschalk said: “I’m a little confused, that’s not Cher over there.” She asked Sophie Berner: “Are you Cher?” when the real Cher surprised him from behind.
Cher – the only reliable person on Gottschalk’s show
Gottschalk, who was clearly very confused by the two Chers, stammered in English that he didn’t know what great things Cher had done. He only learned about this through Jaenicke’s eulogy. Cher smiled gently. Gottschalk explains: “I’ve always loved liquor.” Or: “I’m always good at being teased.” Was he talking about his possible alcohol consumption (there should be plenty of wine at the party for those with empty stomachs at this point) or the jeers from the audience?
We don’t know. And Cher clearly doesn’t know either. Just like Hannes Jaenicke, who stood up in shame. And like the live translator who came in later and ignored the “Booze”/”Buhs” lines as well as Gottschalk telling Cher that she was the only reliable person on her show.
Is the sound turned off?
After this bitter praise, Gottschalk lost track again. He leaves Cher standing and asks Hannes Jaenicke if she still knows that he once sold her a motorbike. Jaenicke, with a frozen expression, sent Gottschalk back to Cher. Gottschalk grabbed the singer’s hand as if to hold her and said: “Cher, I heard this about you.”
The last ten minutes of the show have arrived. Now about motorbikes again. Gottschalk was especially surprised that Cher also rode a motorbike. He could no longer follow Cher’s next words. Cher skillfully laughed it off. The audience tried to let Gottschalk’s words get lost in the applause for the singer. And Jaenicke tried desperately to give Cher a chance to start her speech. But Gottschalk wasn’t done yet: “You did it perfectly” – “You did it well,” he said to Cher as to himself. Only then did he allow him to step up to the microphone.
Cher spoke, the audience laughed with relief. But Gottschalk kept the microphone close to his mouth. Is the sound turned off?
