"Here I am again"

Stefan Raab’s comeback: riding the wave of nostalgia

Stefan Raab shows his famous grin.

(Bild: Raab Entertainment / RTL / Julia Feldhagen)

Stefan Raab has presented his new weekly entertainment show for the first time. On Wednesday evening, the first episode of "Du gewinnst hier nicht die Million bei Stefan Raab" was available on the streaming service RTL+. Read our TV review here and find out exactly how the show works.

Raab is back as the host of a regular show - after a break of almost ten years. At the opening, the 57-year-old said succinctly but cheerfully: "Thank you very much. Here I am again. So easy!"

Legendary grin is back
He hasn't changed his style of dress. When the entertainer casually enters the studio in jeans and a shirt for his big comeback, you immediately feel a pleasant wave of nostalgia. Then he shows his legendary mischievous grin - and we are all back on board, as if he hadn't been away from the screen for nine years.

A new edition of "TV Total", so to speak
Although: Raab's new show is not really groundbreaking, "Du gewinnst hier nicht die Million bei Stefan Raab" is rather a version of his earlier formats. You are immediately reminded of his hit show "TV Total", when Raab spends the first half hour making jokes non-stop and accompanying them with his famous mini TV clips - now activated by his smartphone instead of buttons on the desk: "The technology has to keep up."

There are also clips of his boxing match from the weekend and short songs by the former Song Contest participant. It's all funny and silly, just like it used to be on "TV Total". Raab is certainly in top form and looks as if he only hosted his last show yesterday. He honestly seems to be enjoying every minute.

There's a lot of money at stake
Then, after more than a third of the broadcast time, the part of the show that was advertised finally starts. Namely the part in which the candidates compete for one million euros. The first candidate is 31-year-old Oliver, who has to compete against Raab in a game after two quiz questions. Based on his 25-year-old hit "Maschendrahtzaun", Stefan and Oliver have to cut their way through a series of wire mesh fences - the contestant beats the entertainer! This is followed by more quiz questions and, if the answers are correct, the respective contestant "earns" further challenges against Raab.

Changing tires, throwing tennis balls at office chairs, cutting through fences - the crazy challenges also remind us of previous Raab formats. Speaking of millions: What does Raab actually get for his new commitment? "I get twelve months of RTL+ for free - I really ripped them off, didn't I?"

Stefan Raab in his new studio on RTL+.

(Bild: RTL / Raab Entertainment)

Spoiler: In the first show, the million could not be cracked. Instead, we enjoyed a wonderfully cozy evening of TV with an entertainer who is still just as funny and enthusiastic as we know and love him. It feels a bit like a "Wetten, dass ...?" episode - it may not be the latest and most exciting thing, but you still want to have been there ...

"Du gewinnst hier nicht die Million bei Stefan Raab", every Wednesday from 8.10 pm on RTL+ (paid streaming channel)