Gerhard "Gerd" Pocher (70), who has worked as an accountant for 50 years, is the conscientious person at Pocher. His son, comedian Oliver Pocher (42), however, was always good for a surprise in the family. He has now come up with a special idea for his father, who has been married to his wife Jutta for 46 years and lives in Großburgwedel in Lower Saxony: The comedian flies as part of the two-part RTL documentary "Pocher und Papa auf Reisen" (also via TVNow) with him to Thailand, among other places, and has planned lots of activities there. In addition to all the fun they experience under the Thai sun, there are also serious moments between the two. The biggest issue: Father Gerd and his belonging to the Jehovah's Witnesses.
The duo had a premiere on the trip that took place in January, and thus even before the time of Corona: Oliver Pocher estimates that they have never been together on their own for so long, let alone stayed in a bed. "It will be a challenge to be in a confined space for 14 days," emphasizes Gerd Pocher before the trip. He hoped, however, that he would have many conversations with his son, for which there was often no time. Thailand would be great as a travel destination, because it was at least nice and warm. The adventure starts from Frankfurt Airport.
Openness to other religions?
"We tend to have a mate relationship," Pocher explains the relationship with his father, who has already had a somewhat larger kidney operation. The comedian would therefore like to use the time in which his father dares to undertake such a long journey. After a 13 hour flight, the duo arrives in Bangkok. Gerd Pocher made something clear when he was greeted by the hotel staff, a slight bow with his hands folded. He has been with Jehovah's Witnesses for 38 years. He had nothing against other religions, but would not participate in Buddhist talks, rites or ceremonies in Thailand.
A Tuktuk ride becomes the first challenge: Gerd Pocher gets behind the wheel himself – for his son he puts on "miserable driving skills". Oliver Pocher then ventures into road traffic as a driver and shows his Tuktuk driving talent. A Chinese restaurant uses the father-son team for a culinary stop. Later they go to the nightlife in Bangkoker and Oliver Pocher gives his father some pocket money – that brings back old memories.
Pocher had to give his parents 400 marks out of his 1,000 marks as insurance salesman as "rent". "I was not even 18," Pocher says indignantly. "We still believe that children learn to use money," defends his father. And something else was special in Oliver Pocher's childhood and youth: Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or Christmas: "Gifts from my parents were limited. One feels special, in a negative sense," explains Pocher, who tells his children therefore likes to make surprises.
Next to travesty artists on stage
On the second day, the two go on a variety and travesty show, which they not only follow from the audience, but also step onto the stage: "One or two numbers" should be "spiced up" by the duo, explains Oliver Pocher. He firmly believes in his father's entertainment talent – and he himself can benefit from his "Let's Dance" experience. Two artists on the show teach them the dance steps of the stage number, and for the performance the men slip into glittering costumes and have complex make-up done. After the two appearances, including costume changes, Oliver Pocher is more than proud of his father, whom he had never seen in costume before and who took part in the fun without any contradictions. Only at the end is the surprise for Gerd Pocher that he was on stage with travesty artists. "He hasn't processed that until today," says his son, looking back.
Massage with fire leads to harmony
Next stop: Chiang Mai. Oliver Pocher wants to bring Buddhism closer to his father in a Buddhist monastery. However, Gerd Pocher, as a Jehovah's Witness, has a firm belief that he will not visit a church. After a short discussion, only Oliver Pocher makes his way to the monastery, his father returns to the hotel and starts an alternative program, which his son finds difficult to understand – the fourth day, the first noise. The two spend the night separately and Oliver Pocher meditated and collected food donations with the monks.
When Oliver Pocher was four years old, his parents first came into contact with religion. In his childhood, the comedian said he had to go to community meetings and congresses, even go from house to house, and distribute the "Watchtower" magazine in the pedestrian zone. At the age of 18, Oliver Pocher turned away from the community. "We will never come up with a common denominator," says the comedian. The fire massage is more harmonious again. "The trip is going better than expected", Oliver Pocher sums up from half the holiday – despite the differences of opinion.
Another adventure for father Gerd, who stands by his quirks, is waiting in a village in the hinterland: an overnight stay is out of the question for him, he emphasizes when examining the toilet. "I like it clean, I don't want to get anything," he explains. That is why it stays with a meal with the villagers. Kho Pha Nghan is still waiting for a jet ski ride, ziplining, a moonlight party where the two DJ as DJs, a yoga session and a Thai boxing session. Eleven days in Thailand come to an end and the positive moments predominate. "For 70 he is amazingly fit and we really got closer," says Oliver Pocher, his father appreciates his courtesy during the trip – which I hope will continue on the next trip – the United States is waiting.