Luke Mockridge and the rape allegations: “Luckyland” burned down

“He has the charm to bewitch regardless of the generation.” Or: “Something like that is called a vertical take-off.” But also: “He is constantly looking for a dialogue with the audience and shone with the spontaneous punchlines that resulted from it.” These sentences can be found on Luke Mockridge’s homepage. The comedian quotes newspaper reviews and hypnotizes himself. Almost as if it were a hitherto unknown musical to be advertised. The message: Mockridge is a good one. Funny, charming, intelligent – the miracle weapon of the German stand-up.

But his “Luckyland”, as Mockridge calls his comedy empire, is in danger. Or as it would be called in amusement park jargon: The attraction is temporarily out of order for maintenance work. The “Luckyland” train had been stuttering for several months. It started in 2019 with the debacle in the “ZDF TV Garden”. In order to advertise his new show, Mockridge made fun of Andrea Kiewel and her audience. She didn’t think it was funny and was outraged in front of the camera. The first damper in the 32-year-old’s career.

The little accident at work was almost forgotten when the big alarm came. An ex-girlfriend of the comedy star publicly claimed there had been attempted rape in the relationship. The allegations made the rounds on social media. In the course of the MeToo debate, the verdict on Mockridge was quickly reached – and was devastating. He himself was silent. Even when the public prosecutor checked a corresponding report. Laughter ceased in the happy “Luckyland”.

Mockridge denies all allegations

Mockridge commented on the allegations for the first time on Saturday evening. Months after the first rumors. He denies the rape and speaks of a “toxic relationship” between him and his ex-girlfriend. When he had the ad in the mailbox, it was “unbelievable for him, because it simply does not match what we were experiencing at the time,” he said. “They try to make someone who I am not. I am confronted with things that never happened.” Mockridge announced that it would take a break from television and appearances until the end of the year.

But will “Luckyland” just be able to reopen next year? Comedy engine on and it goes on as if nothing had happened? His station Sat.1 sticks to Mockridge. We are pleased that “Luke Mockridge will be back as an artist on SAT.1 next year with his successful shows and new programs. We respect that he has decided that he no longer wants to be on screen this year “, said the broadcaster Christoph Körfer stern. Viewers might be less loyal.

The prosecution has closed the investigation into Mockridge. There was no sufficient suspicion against him. The presumption of innocence must apply to him. But his image has suffered greatly from the allegations. The list of men who were pilloried on similar charges is long. Sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly. Jörg Kachelmann is probably the most prominent victim of false accusations. But at least he has the advantage of having been legally acquitted of all allegations. Mockridge doesn’t have that.

Ban on gags for Mockridge

So his fans and TV viewers will make their own judgments. Or already have it. What is true? We do not know it. And maybe never will. It was a mistake that he remained silent about the allegations for a long time. The prejudice has long since passed. The image is damaged. Whether that is just or even justified is no longer the question. For the time being, the “Luckyland” train will only be able to travel at half speed. Jokes about women: taboo. About sex: taboo. About relationships: taboo. The Comedy Express is banned from gagging.

Mockridge will have to accept that “Luckyland” burned down long ago. The “enchanting charm” that he raves about on his homepage suddenly has the scary factor of a ghost train. Mockridge needs a restart. With new attractions.