“Bet
Why presenter Ingo Nommsen is a fan of the show
Moderator Ingo Nommsen is an avowed “Wetten, dass ..?” Fan.
© imago / Sven Simon
In an interview, moderator Ingo Nommsen reveals how much work behind the Michael Jackson appearance on “Wetten, dass ..?” stuck in 1995.
The Saturday evening show “Wetten, dass ..?” will celebrate her unique comeback next weekend (November 6th, 8:15 pm, ZDF) with Thomas Gottschalk (71) and Michelle Hunziker (44) as well as star guests like Helene Fischer (37) and ABBA. The show also played an important role in the private and professional life of presenter and successful author Ingo Nommsen (50, “Help, I’m too nice!”). In an interview with spot on news, he explains why the show was so successful. He also tells a behind-the-scenes anecdote of the appearance of superstar Michael Jackson (1958-2009) in 1995.
The Saturday evening show “Wetten, dass ..?” celebrates its revival on November 6th. Did you watch the show earlier?
Ingo Nommsen: I can still remember the premiere well, which of course I saw as a child. The Saturday evening shows were a must at the time. Although I was almost always banned from watching “Wetten dass …?” The family gathered in front of the television and was there with skin and hair. Mostly there was dinner and a “Black Forest Clinic” beforehand, then we discussed Tommy’s outfit, the selection of stars – and whether we could not have submitted one or the other bet. As children, we loved every minute of putting it on, which gave us a long evening watching TV – and always an extremely entertaining one.
Why was the show cult?
Nommsen: Average consumers with crazy bets meet superstars – that had never happened in this form before. And also that celebrities make themselves the eyrie with the announcement after a lost bet was not standard at the time. Here the guard rails of entertainment television have been readjusted. I consider it a great gift to have followed this development live as a viewer. “Bet that…?” is one of the reasons that I was drawn in front of the camera and that moderation is my dream job to this day.
Thomas Gottschalk and Michelle Hunziker lead through the show again. What do you like about the moderation duo? Will they build on old times and also inspire younger audiences?
Nommsen: The format is so strong that it can inspire younger people in particular. This mélange of big stars and normal people from next door who are capable of outstanding things is unbeatable for me. People who nobody knows on Saturday afternoons are suddenly the heroes of millions with their bet in the evening. These are stories that get stuck in people’s minds.
Have you ever been a guest on the show? If so, what will you never forget? Maybe a little anecdote from behind the scenes?
Nommsen: I moderated the rehearsals live for some programs on “Hallo Deutschland”, including the special on 25 years of “Wetten dass …?”. It was great to see how the team behind the successful show has become a real family over the years. And how much fun and enthusiasm everyone was in putting on the best show in the world every time. In the special edition I was able to interview my heroes von Toto in the mask, among other things. That’s how I met one of my guitar idols, Steve Lukather [64], and sat with singer Bobby Kimball that evening [74] a long time at the bar – listening to his stories was a real experience for me.
Which performance do you particularly remember?
Nommsen: Michael Jackson’s appearance in 1995, his “Earth Song” is still one of the best performances on the show. I was very lucky that the long-time “Wetten dass …?” Director Sascha Arnz [1932-2004] told the surprising story behind Michael Jackson’s appearance over coffee at home. The megastar had sometimes called him in the middle of the night and discussed the type, choreography and staging of his song with him weeks beforehand. Countless ideas were discussed in advance before these artistically great moments emerged in the end.
You also share a story with “Wetten, dass ..?” Inventor Frank Elstner (79). He plays in your autobiography “Help, I’m too nice!” an important role because he was the first to rate you as “too nice”. Have you talked about it in the meantime?
Nommsen: Not personally. But recently I was surprised on a television show at rbb with a greeting video from Frank Elstner – he congratulated me on my new book. I was very happy about that. This attribute of the “nice” has always accompanied him too. The first show he was my guest on is definitely one of the highlights of my television career for a “Wetten, dass ..?” Fan like me.