The Böhmermann show was “too fanatical in the end,” criticizes ZDF director Himmler

ZDF director Norbert Himmler was critical of the development of the satirical show “ZDF Magazin Royale” with satirist Jan Böhmermann. “He delivered fantastic programs that won the Grimme and Television Prizes,” Himmler told the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”. “That has now worn off and has perhaps become too fanatical in the end.”

The ZDF boss also criticized the show's handling of individual people. “To pounce on a beekeeper and make him the main subject of a program – I think that’s disproportionate.”

The background is an article from 2023 in which Böhmermann accused a Saxon beekeeper of so-called “beewashing” – i.e. the marketing of bee sponsorships as a supposed commitment to environmental protection.

The beekeeper then satirically advertised his honey using Böhmermann's name and picture. A subsequent legal dispute ended in the beekeeper's favor. Himmler emphasized that satire should deal with people who bear responsibility or expose grievances. “But it shouldn’t be unfair.”

“ZDF Magazin Royale” is scheduled to be broadcast for the last time on December 18th after more than six years. Böhmermann had already stated in September that the decision to end the show was his alone.

The ZDF director also confirmed this in an interview with “Zeit”. There have been intensive discussions with the satirist for years about the further development of the format and his role. “He drew the line on his own initiative.” Böhmermann wants to reinvent himself. However, neither Böhmermann nor the broadcaster remained unaware of what his show had triggered in recent years, “for better or for worse”.

Böhmermann recently said in his podcast “Fest & Fluschig” that Himmler reacted to the news of the end of the show with tears in his eyes. When asked about this, the ZDF director now said: “Yes, I still ask myself today whether those were tears of relief and joy – or tears of sadness.”