The new sketch comedy series “Smeilingen – A Village Like You and Me” features 17 television stars and comedians exploring quirky and darkly humorous stories from everyday village life in the fictional town of Smeilingen. Key characters include an arrogant mayor, a bumbling police duo, and a Cuban exchange teacher. Set against a picturesque rural backdrop, the show mixes clever gags with some corny humor, promising entertainment for viewers. The series premieres on November 1, airing every Friday at 21:45 on Das Erste.
The new sketch comedy series “Smeilingen – A Village Like You and Me” (Das Erste) features 17 TV stars, comedians, and presenters alongside other actors, presenting funny, quirky, and sometimes dark stories from the everyday life in the fictional village of Smeilingen. Key locations include the town hall, police station, church, school, sports field, supermarket, pub, pharmacy, and funeral home, as well as front gardens and public spaces in the village. The diverse community also includes two influencers who moved from Dubai and the superstar Michelle Hunziker.
Who’s in it?
Film and television star Uwe Ochsenknecht (68) shines in the role of the vain, self-centered, and unmotivated Mayor Markus Seider, who has the honor of opening each episode.
Heino Ferch (61) and Hannes Jaenicke (64) create entertaining moments as the overzealous police duo Hauke Mayer and Hanno Meier. “It was a huge delight for me to not play the serious investigator, but rather the village sheriff in a sketch comedy,” enthused actor Ferch. His colleague Jaenicke added, “Playing a village policeman who’s not exactly sharp has been extremely fun. If the audience enjoys watching it half as much as I enjoyed performing, I would be grateful.”
Film star Armin Rohde (69) portrays the former captain of a legendary soccer team that once played a season in the regional league. Today, Ingo Pannek is a coach in Smeilingen. “I had a blast playing this passionate yet hot-headed coach,” he also shared about the shoot. “My preparation consisted of studying the outbursts of as many soccer coaches as possible. This is my modest attempt to contribute to this grand series.”
“Let’s Dance” star Jorge González (57) surprises as the Cuban exchange teacher Juan Jiménez, who has a particular affinity for science and a not-so-easy-to-understand accent. “The character of Mr. Jiménez feels tailor-made for me,” he admits with a laugh.
Phil Laude (34) portrays Frank Stimpel, a typical “Alman” with traits reminiscent of Monk. For those unfamiliar with Laude, the German-Austrian YouTuber and comedian is sure to be a delightful discovery. His “Smeilingen” sketches never reach the realm of dad jokes—he is set to win the Bavarian Cabaret Award in a few days. “The sketches grabbed me right away with their absurdity and reminded me a bit of Key and Peele,” he explained.
Presenter Michelle Hunziker (47) navigates the male-dominated world of Smeilingen as the charming and well-known Michelle Hunziker—will she find her dream man here? “Playing with my image, exaggerating this role, and slipping into various situations has been a huge pleasure,” she confirms.
Elena Uhlig (49) takes on the quirky role of pharmacist Yasmin Wegener, proclaiming, “We are definitely funnier than our neighboring village Weiningen.” Comedian Martin Klempnow (51) entertains as Pastor Simon Krintsch, who attracts parishioners to his empty church with themed services (Ballermann, fitness, etc.). Young actor Tim Alberti (born 2002) plays the clever postman Ole Konrad, who keeps village dogs at bay with all sorts of tricks. Also ensuring laughs are comedian Cordula Stratmann (60) and presenter Katrin Bauerfeind (42) as twin sisters Sonja and Dunja Bruckner.
Additionally, actress Christine Neubauer (62) portrays the distinctly Bavarian innkeeper Biggi Straßburger. Comedian Mirja Boes (53) appears as the insensitive undertaker Frieda Grabowski, while comedian Nico Stank (35) plays the queer supermarket clerk Marc Frisch. Comedians Tony Bauer (29) and Negah Amiri (31) embody the influencer couple Leif and Isi Sommer.
Is it worth tuning in?
Absolutely! The feel-good series delivers on its promise: set against a sunny backdrop of blooming rapeseed fields and grazing cows, it presents sketches revolving around typical villagers in an idyllic rural town. Some ideas and productions shine, while others may lean towards dad joke territory. However, one pun is always followed by a clever gag. The varied humor in the sketches can likely be attributed to the numerous writers involved. Alongside head writer Simon Hauschild, ten others contributed, with only Stratmann and Klempnow writing their own sketches. Interestingly, some of those who have not been primarily known for comedy shine the brightest.
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