The Chancellor harbors romantic feelings towards the Königsberg Klopsen.
"2024 saw a year filled with both triumphs and setbacks," begins Steffen Hallaschka in "Pictures, People, Feelings," inviting us to the big RTL year in review. A year that many would be glad to see the back of.
Even though it's purely subjective, reflecting on the year's events, one can't help but notice how quickly it has gone by. And with the relentless chaos and numerous crises globally, it's no surprise that many are already looking forward to putting it behind them.
Accompanied by comedian Ilka Bessin, star chef Tim Mälzer, and athlete Christina Vogel, the moderator takes us through the year, highlighting the key events: the clashes with farmers, updates on King Charles and Princess Kate's health struggles, Julian Assange's release, and the demise of Alexei Navalny.
2024 also marked the tragic loss of policeman Rouven Laur, who was killed in a knife attack in Mannheim. In an extraordinary moment, his family opens up in the studio with his mother, Petra, and sister Eve. They reminisce about a young man who had a passion for learning, stood up for others, and cherished his job. They also discuss the pain of losing someone so close.
Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann also graced us with his presence, bringing a fresh perspective to management, particularly with his thoughtful approach to handling his team and normalizing expressions of emotion and humor among his players.
"Emotion and humor are essential"
However, 2024 wasn't all smiles and laughter. It was marred by the attack on Donald Trump's re-election as U.S. President, the incident in Solingen, the collapse of the Carolabridge in Dresden, and the fallout from the Green Party's board resignations.
A breath of fresh air arrives in the form of Ralf Schumacher and his partner Etienne, who discuss their love. The fact that Schumacher's coming out as gay is still considered "courageous" is a testament to the fact that there's still a long way to go. Love should not be a cause for admiration, but simply accepted as normal.
One of the most extraordinary and courageous individuals of the year was Gisele Pelicot, a 71-year-old Frenchwoman who bravely brought her perpetrators to justice following years of sexual abuse at the hands of her husband and other men. Her powerful message, which resonates with victims of sexual violence, is, "Shame should be placed on the perpetrators." Pelicot's bravery and strength have earned her widespread respect.
Speaking of respect, it's worth mentioning Regina Halmich's big TV comeback of the year, where she discusses her exhibition match with Stefan Raab. She sheds light on Raab's intentions, revealing that he had wanted a third exhibition match with her but didn't reconnect with her afterwards.
"Raab didn't reach out again"
One of the touching and somewhat oppressive moments of this year in review is Kevin Lick's interview, better known as "Putin's youngest hostage." Lick, who holds both Russian and German citizenship, spent a year and a half in a Russian labor camp at the age of 17 for alleged treason.
He vividly describes his struggles with meager living conditions, torture, and spending months in solitary confinement, which has left him with permanent scars and unforgettable traumas. "The bed is placed against the wall at 5 am." He recounts the daily drone of camp rules and harsh music that keeps him awake. In the winter, the chill is unbearable due to the lack of heaters in the barracks. "One can worry, but one must not fear."
Lick isn't shy in talking about the disturbing portraits of Putin that dominate Russian schools. Before he found himself incarcerated instead of sitting in a classroom, he once replaced one of Putin's portraits with one of Alexei Navalny's.
And of course, the year in review wouldn't be complete without mentioning Germany's Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to Hallaschka, Scholz remains confident despite the many challenges facing his "coalition of progress." Scholz admits that the situation has been tumultuous but believes he still retains a significant amount of power.
Two competitive leaders and Königsberger Klopse
Whether the recent political developments can be dubbed a "farce" remains a matter of personal interpretation, and Scholz declines to comment. However, when asked about his relationship with Christian Lindner, "two powerful leaders have butted heads."
The audience did not learn anything new from Scholz's responses, as his answer to where he draws his self-confidence from sounds as casual as a well-rehearsed election campaign slogan. In return, Scholz shares his fondness for Königsberger Klopse and has even tried his hand at making them following a recipe by Tim Mälzer, with a few "twists."
The recent conversation with Putin was " frustrating," but it's crucial that communication stays intact. Addressing Ilka Bessin, he asserts, "I'm not the one to blame" and it seems he's referring to the past few years.
As the night winds down, the moderator converses with Hape Kerkeling about the 6 on his birthday cake. Despite turning 60, he doesn't feel much older than "three days ago." Through a bit of genealogical digging, he discovered his distant relation to King Charles, placing him 111th in the British line of succession. There's royal lineage in Kerkeling's veins. And then, an unexpected revelation: the interviewer of the birthday boy, turns out to be a birthday boy himself. Happy Birthday, Steffen Hallaschka! Wishing you a more promising 2025, for you and the entire world!
Despite the chaotic events and numerous crises, many people found solace in their favorite television shows, providing a momentary escape from the real world.
The annual RTL year in review, hosted by Steffen Hallaschka, offered a comprehensive recap of the year's events, includingтие Television programming that provided comfort and entertainment to many viewers.
