Oliver Kalkofe: He feels sorry for Thomas Gottschalk

The satirist Oliver Kalkofe (59) commented on the debate about Thomas Gottschalk’s (74) book “Unfiltered” and the ongoing criticism of the former “Wetten,dass…?” presenter in some clear words. from the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” and the editorial network Germany (RND), he describes the discussion as “useless and unnecessary”. Furthermore, in his eyes she had gone “in completely the wrong direction”. He particularly regrets that “one of the greatest and greatest entertainers we had and have with us is caught in the crossfire like this.”

At the same time, Kalkofe is also surprised at Gottschalk’s approach: “I just thought: Boy, why did you put yourself in it like that? Because you say things that are of course misunderstood by some or want to be misunderstood,” said the media critic in an interview with CDU politician Wolfgang Bosbach (72), journalist Hans-Ulrich Jörges (73) and TV chef Christian Rach (67).

Kalkofe is quite critical of the current culture of debate. He emphasizes: “Wokeness shouldn’t be a dirty word. Because it actually just means that you think a little more.” However, he also warns against exaggerations. Political correctness and wokeness are “at their core well-intentioned, right and important”, but they are “increasingly in danger of overzealously parodying themselves and doing more harm than good to the actual issue.”

Because of the “ubiquitous euphoria of outrage,” the 59-year-old calls for more “smiling composure.” He is worried about social developments: “The stupidity is getting louder and more aggressive,” he criticizes in the podcast. That’s why he doesn’t want to be a politician. He would feel sorry for them too, regardless of whether they sometimes said “stupid things”. We have now developed a culture in which politicians are insulted publicly: “Whether on social media, on the street or even physically attacked.”