Jan Köppen as a candidate at the jungle camp ?: “It wouldn’t be for me”

Jan Köppen (39) is very happy in his new role as moderator of “I’m a star – get me out of here!”. He never saw himself as a candidate in the popular format. “I said no directly,” reveals the new man alongside Sonja Zietlows (54) of the news agency spot on news in an interview. Nevertheless, he was always a loyal viewer of the show: Those were his previous highlights in the jungle camp.

Have you followed the show over the past few years?

Jan Köppen: Yes, again and again. Almost something like a traditional trash – at the beginning of the year. After the New Year comes the jungle and you look forward to the first highlight of the television year.

How do you explain the success of the show, why do millions of viewers tune in every year?

Köppen: You can probably look at the genesis of reality TV. The jungle was relatively early on when it comes to this type of television. A pioneer. The mother of all these formats here with us. In the end, it’s observing prominent people that you know at best. Allowed voyeurism. Probably everyone has this curiosity about how people behave in such situations that they have never experienced in their life. Quite banal things like eating little for five days are enough. Doctoral theses have already been written about the dynamics that arise in a camp. That is why the selection of the candidates is so difficult and exciting. As a TV maker, you hope to know how the different characters tick and suddenly everything is very different. Just like in real life, anything can happen and we can all be part of it.

What has been your personal highlight in the previous jungle camp seasons?

Köppen: I somehow remembered Larissa Marolt drinking champagne in the limousine, but also the supposed great love of Jay Khan and Indira Weis. (laughs)

Are you hoping for a love story in the jungle?

Köppen: Oh, who doesn’t want that, and I, as Dreieck Köppi, can maybe do something in such a case. If something develops between two people, that’s nice, of course, but in the end I hope for entertainment for everyone involved. If it comes about that two people love each other very much or someone breaks up without hurting themselves, then I’m open to everything. (laughs)

You are a big dog fan. But now the jungle is not known for cute dogs, but for wild animals. What do you think of spiders, snakes and co.?

Köppen: They are definitely not my friends. One cannot really control such animals. For me it is also quite absurd that a small spider could theoretically kill me there. We are in a professionally supervised setting, but I still have a lot of respect for it. I will definitely follow instructions like ‘Look into every shoe before you slip it on’.

There used to be a rumor that the jungle camp would be recorded in a studio in Cologne. That has totally dissipated over the past few years. Why do you think that is?

Köppen: People are so predisposed that they like to look for what cannot be right. Every day we are confronted with things that make us wonder if they are real. I think people simply don’t have the energy for it anymore and this theory will eventually become boring. In addition, the jungle is now also accepted differently. After all, the format has already been nominated for the Grimme Prize and, in the end, is simply well-made entertainment television.

What qualities does a moderator need to be able to cope with the jungle, but also with the candidates?

Köppen: I think you have to be a team player. RTL doesn’t need anyone there who just does their own thing, except in the camp (laughs) and doesn’t stick to agreements. I think I can get along well with many people and am open to everyone. Also, I don’t care who is in front of me. At a certain point, however, I have to be careful not to feel sorry. I could then certainly advise against an exam or take the place of the candidate. But don’t worry – Sonja will take care of me.

Which luxury item would you take with you?

Köppen: Some kind of toy, like a yo-yo or just a ball. In addition to a certain ability to work in a team, I’m also a loner and would therefore take something with me that I can do on my own to calm down. And a ball always does something with a group.

Could you imagine ever moving into the jungle camp yourself as a candidate?

Koppen: No. (laughs) I’m very happy with my current position. I have a lot of respect for the candidates, but that wouldn’t be for me. It may be that I received an inquiry years ago when I was still at Viva. When my management addressed it at the time, I immediately said “no”. Because a lot of people were still intervening, I don’t really know today whether there was an official request at the time. Can the RTL perhaps still verify?

They are already being called RTL’s all-purpose weapon. What’s your next goal?

Köppen: I never really had goals in this area. I am currently very grateful that I can do and experience all this. So much has happened to me lately that I didn’t expect. A heart project is still “Ninja Warrior Germany” because this show and the community has grown so much in recent years. Otherwise, of course, a show that springs from one of my ideas would be great, but as I said: everything has its time. Let’s see.