Primetime special for Barbara Salesch: “Others have grandchildren, I have court”

For a quarter of a century, Barbara Salesch spoke right on German television. Now, at the age of 75, the TV judge is experiencing a new highlight of her career: On June 10th, RTL (also via) is showing the 90-minute prime time special “Barbara Salesch-the greatest process of her life: the dead in the Rhine”. Instead of the afternoon judge, she is standing in front of the camera in a television thriller with a murder case.

Since her return to television in 2022 after a ten years break, Salesch has been more present than ever. The lawyer once spoke real judgments at the Hamburg district court before moving to TV in 1999 and making the format of court shows in Germany with her show “Judge Barbara Salesch”. In an interview with Spot on News, she talks about her unbroken curiosity, why she prefers to sit in court than to guard grandchildren, and what drives her again at the age of 75.

Barbara Salesch: It was wonderful! We celebrated a lot, but in smaller groups, because I worked myself that day. In summer we do a big party in my garden.

Salesch: It’s just in a mood. This presence has meant that we were finally allowed to shoot for prime time. That is a completely different house number. We usually turn three of our afternoon negotiations on one day. Now we have made a single film, a mix of crime thrillers and dishes, and a lot of shooting days for it. He has become great and we can show much more than usual.

Salesch: We are as close as it is not possible. We now have 90 minutes in the evening program to show a six -day main hearing with all your twists. We see the circumstances of the investigation and what is going on during the negotiation breaks and how even attempts are made to earn money with the suffering of others. All around exciting.

Salesch: A lot. What I thought was great was the work of the actors. For me it is never a problem to play the judge – I am one. I play myself and you’re done. But it is different if you are supposed to embody a stranger and who succeed afterwards as if you are really yourself. Great respect. I can’t even get anything like this. I also fascinated the technology: a crane suddenly came up and I only thought, hopefully he has a brake. The light was completely different than usual, everywhere cameras in motion and then I have to say the same at least five times. For every setting. I thought that was really difficult.

Salesch: That should also depend on the authentic line -up. You can always take actresses who take on the role of judges and play how it was written and how they think it fits the role. But I don’t have to play the judge. That is a difference, especially since I still revise the scripts. So you can watch my work.

Salesch: I like my job. It always shows different facets, different connections, different solutions. I love that. I don’t worry about my television future either. It’s very simple: there are always two who have to come together. This is the viewer and me. If the viewer no longer wants to see me, I’m away from the window faster than I can see. The broadcasters know nothing. And if I don’t feel like it anymore or just can’t do it anymore, the viewer has to clean his nose, because then I won’t go on. As long as we two harmonize as well as for almost three years and over 500 programs, it continues.

Salesch: In the past, it was much more exhausting. After over twelve years and over 2500 programs, I just had my nose full. Too much was repeated for me. I was in my early 60 and also studied art: I didn’t want to get on the painter ladders with 80 – but now do the big work. Back then I wanted to start my so -called third life, and then I did that too. With farm, workshops, gallery and dog. I always had good to do, but everything had become much quieter. Since I’ve been back on TV, a lot more has been going on, but I feel good. Cooperation with significantly younger ones is just beautiful.

Salesch: Currently little. I only make one exhibition a year – but I always get it there somehow.

Salesch: I find the reputation inappropriate – that’s not true. Jura is not dry at all. It is clear that one or the other professor comes along with some drogs. The question is always: How do you convey the fabric? Jura is very interesting. Above all, you learn logical thinking – and you can do a lot with it. But there is a problem with lawyers: they often speak that a non -lawyer no longer understands them. I always understood me.

Salesch: I worked in Hamburg for 20 years – I had already had everything behind me. I had the success I wanted very early. And if you suddenly get the offer with 49 and overweight to go to TV – then you do it. I couldn’t guess that it takes so long and I am on the air again.

Salesch: Neither nor. I have not regretted deciding to become a real judge, nor the decision to go to TV. Both are wonderful professions that complement each other.

Salesch: The curiosity. Also the success. Creating such an elaborate film for Primetime is not offered every day. It is also important to me how we can make the programs fresher. It is fantastic what in the meantime there is everything about new evidence – videos, surveillance cameras, photo evidence. You just have to come to the recordings and we always do that in the course of the negotiation. And maybe one more thing: I always loved my job. Others have grandchildren, I have a dish. As a grandma, you will not necessarily be asked whether you can still supply a baby at 75. You just have to watch that you make the children curious and busy. I always think it’s good when you don’t stay on the sofa, no matter what you do.

Salesch: I prefer to look ahead than back – so we take the fourth. My fourth life has the positive sides of the second, but I don’t feel overloaded like back then. Now I’m in top shape again – and as long as I can sit, I sit out. Only when I should run or climb stairs, then you have to wait a lot. I now avoid this in front of the camera. I therefore come to the court in our new film with a taxi.

Salesch: What you always say in old age: health. That my knees work that my mind works. My head is at least still well fit. You get a little humble in old age: at a young age you take it for granted that you jump off everyone. At some point you will be caught up and later you run afterwards. And I just wish that I can keep up with.