After controversy over comments about disabled people, Sat.1 is now taking action. The planned broadcast of Luke Mockridge’s new TV show has been cancelled.
In a podcast three weeks ago, comedian Luke Mockridge mocked the participants in the Paralympic Games in Paris. Now his TV show is coming to an end. Sat.1 confirmed this to the star.
In the podcast “Die Deutschen”, Mockridge called the idea behind the Paralympics “wild”. He also mocked disabled people: “There are people without legs and arms who are thrown into a pool – and whoever drowns last wins,” Mockridge said, among other things. He also underlined his mockery with gestures through which the comedian apparently tried to imitate participants in the Paralympics.
This caused great outrage a few days ago and he backtracked on Saturday. He apologized to the athletes. “Of course, it was never my intention to ridicule people with disabilities – especially during these great Paralympic Games,” Mockridge wrote on Instagram.
Luke Mockridge show will not be shown
“It also pisses me off that at the end of these Paralympic Games the media is talking more about me and not about the tournament.” But this realization apparently came too late. As the first reported, Mockridge’s show “What’s in the Box?”, which was planned for September 12th this year, will not be shown.
SAT.1 spokesman Christoph Körfer told the star: “The statements about disabled people and para-athletes, which many people are rightly outraged about, do not fit with our values. Luke Mockridge quickly realised what he had done wrong with these statements. He therefore publicly and credibly apologised for his inappropriate words.” Nevertheless, the broadcaster sees itself forced to take action and has decided “not to start its new show ‘What’s in the Box?’ on September 12th.”
It has not yet been clarified whether it will be broadcast at a later date. “We hope that Luke Mockridge will find a way to follow up his apology with actions and to continue to work on the issue in the interests of all people with disabilities and in the interests of all para-athletes who impressed and enchanted us with their achievements in Paris,” the spokesperson added to his statement, leaving Mockridge with a back door to perhaps work with him again in the future.
Transparency note: This article has been updated.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
