In autumn 2019, TVNow brought the first gay dating format "Prince Charming" to Germany and showed the dome show exclusively as an online stream. In the meantime, the successful show in the "Entertainment" category has even been awarded a Grimme Prize 2020 and is now celebrating its free TV premiere (April 20, every Monday at 10:10 p.m. at VOX).
In an interview with the news agency spot on news, "Prince Charming" Nicolas Puschmann (29) reveals why he was looking for the right thing under the Greek sun and how he wanted to keep the outcome of the show as secret as possible for TV viewers . He also tells what the show has already done for the LGBT community and why he is not afraid of the reactions of the TV audience.
Why did you decide to go on TV to find love as "Prince Charming"?
Nicolas Puschmann: I saw it as an opportunity to fall in love in completely new ways. The real dating world is very fast paced and many people swipe away potential dates or flick through dating apps like a catalog. Often, only outward appearances lead to contact. It is different on an island, without a cell phone with 20 men. I just wanted to have time for love again and get to know people without being distracted by social media, cell phones or other opinions. A really refreshing experience.
What are your plans for the show in advance?
Puschmann: I have made it my goal to always be and remain 100 percent Nicolas, no matter how strange moments might be. Decide for yourself when and who I kiss and when I just don't want to let it happen. Otherwise, I started the adventure completely impartially and without great intentions. In retrospect, it eased me and relieved me of all pressure. We just started the day authentically and lived our lives. Above all, we were able to talk freely about our past and challenges. And honestly, when could you just smoke and drink and have fun in front of the camera, no matter how you looked? Wonderful! (laughs)
"Prince Charming" is the first gay dating show in Germany and has already been shown online as a TVNow original. Now the show is coming to linear television and reaching even more people. What does that mean to you?
Puschmann: I am absolutely proud of the development of "Prince Charming". When I got on the plane to Crete at the time, I was not aware of the size of this format. It makes me happy that we can now also show the masses that a kiss between two men is absolutely nothing to look away from and that the dates are no different from the heterosexual couple. It is the same emotional chaos, the same sadness, the same emotions. On the other hand, the viewers also get an insight into how different "Outings" can be, what kind of difficult fate they are sometimes and hopefully they will be sensitized to the topic.
Are you afraid of the reactions?
Puschmann: No, I'm curious. Everyone is allowed to have their opinion and a good discussion ensures that the topic of homosexuality comes more to the fore and that society has to deal with it automatically.
What reactions did you get after the online broadcast, both from the community and from other viewers?
Puschmann: I really got a lot of letters with thanks for the format and the openness and authenticity that this show brings. Several young people finally dared to come out with their parents and some wrote to me that they are grateful for the insight and feel absolutely enlightened and sensitized. Some girls also wished to be gay and to be able to spray a life friend or to date the cast (laughs).
What distinguishes a gay dating show from other dating formats?
Puschmann: On the one hand, a same-sex dating show does not differentiate anything from the regular, well-known formats. It's all the same, feelings, love, kisses, intrigue, arguments. On the other hand, the format is very different. For the first time, the candidates can also fall in love with each other. Furthermore, you can see very nicely that although all candidates vie for the same man and that the Prince lives his special position, you still feel as one and as a community. With the group dates we were able to show that we are a community that is respectful of one another.
Didn't the flirting potential bother you within the field of participants?
Puschmann: Absolutely not, it would have been very surreal for me to think that I am the only interesting man in the house. So I just hoped that there would be a few men left who were also interested in me (laughs).
How did your life change after the show?
Puschmann: I have cut my sales job part-time and take the time to gain a lot of new experiences. The attention received naturally changed after the show. Suddenly people are interested in my life, I am recognized on the street and strangers are part of my life. I still can't believe all of this, I'm just grateful and very happy. The whole development is super exciting for me and still very special and I am absolutely excited to see what will happen next. I'm ready.
The show also got a Grimme award, on Instagram you dedicated the award to the community. What contribution could you make for them?
Puschmann: Already with my participation I wanted to set a visible sign of tolerance and give the community in the German TV landscape a face, because "Prince Charming" is the first homosexual dating show in Germany. During the production I was always myself and with all the fun we had with the format, we managed, for example, to treat the issue of coming out respectfully and dignified in an entertainment program. The other participants made it easy for me to live up to this claim, because the facets of the cast reflected part of the gay community and they opened up emotionally to me and the public. I am very grateful for that.
Do you behave differently from the broadcast so as not to reveal everything to the TV viewers?
Puschmann: I will of course structure myself a little differently for the time on the social media platforms. Anyone who has already seen the dating show on TVNow knows that it is simply the most fun when you can cheer for it from the beginning to the end without being spoiled. And I'm happy to help. Of course, old entries or pictures are not removed. After all, they are great pictures with a very special person for me. Otherwise I have no restrictions and can move around freely.
How do you currently experience the Corona crisis and how do you pass the time?
Puschmann: Time totally slows me down. I deal again with the essential things in life like family and friends and you can restructure and reposition yourself. I notice that you live in abundance in many ways and right now I'm realizing how little you actually need to live. I adapt to every situation and make the best of it. I am currently doing a lot for the apartment, have time for new recipes and do a lot of sport. In general, I like to be on the go and like the days that are full of appointments. In this respect, I am already in the starting blocks and on my own, everyday life can come back quickly.