“Is that true?” is how one of the countless questions to us begins.

The topic:
“ The public broadcaster makes several editions of the “Otto Show” from 1973 and 1974 available in the media library. Before the start, the public broadcaster places a “warning notice”. It says the following: “The following program is shown in its original form, as part of television history. It contains passages with discriminatory language and attitudes” or “passages that are now viewed as discriminatory.”
A timeless laugh or a sign of a bygone era? To celebrate Otto Waalkes' 75th birthday, WDR is digging up his legendary “Otto Show” from the 70s. But not without a warning...

The return of an icon
Otto Waalkes, the undisputed comedy giant of the 70s, recently celebrated his 75th birthday. As a gift to the fans, WDR is bringing its legendary “Otto shows” back to the media library. The shows, which aired between 1973 and 1981, sent schoolyards across Germany bustling with excitement. They made Otto a national superstar, and the reruns are undoubtedly a fitting tribute to his comedy legacy.
Contemporary precautions
But times change. With a humorous wink, WDR has taken precautions and inserted warning signs before the episodes. Young viewers who may only know Otto through his hit “Friesenjung” are reminded that the program “contains passages that are now considered discriminatory.” The WDR emphasizes that this serves to classify and appreciate the material historically.
WDR does not specify which parts of the show could be considered potentially discriminatory. In the “ Otto Show 2 ,” the comedian tells a joke about a “traditional Chinese song.” According to Waalkes, the title of the song is “Ping-Pong”, where the woman symbolizes the “ping” and the man metaphorically grabs her “pong”.
In another segment, Waalkes sings of a massive pill for Catholic women, so heavy they could leave it outside their bedroom door, as a humorous reference.
Another song is about a penniless girl who wishes that stars would turn into money. A sports car driver who happens to be driving by hears this, stops and promises the girl that he will take her to a luxurious place, believing that she is gullible. Waalkes concludes with the humorous comment that pedestrians are better off walking in the left lane at night because they are not more visible but are more difficult to hear.
Otto takes it with humor
Otto, the master of comedy, responded with his characteristic joke: “Comedy cannot be warned enough, especially the 'Otto Show' can lead to sore laughing muscles.” But he also reflects more seriously: Humor has often tested boundaries and the norms of the 70s were different than today. He emphasized that comedy tends to break everyday rules and question taboos.
The tightrope walk of humor
It's not the first time that Waalkes has had to comment on gags that may not have aged well. particular discussions in 2020 surrounding the use of the “N-word” in “Otto – The Film” from 1985, when it became available on a streaming service. But Otto argues that context and intent are crucial. When is a joke just a joke, and when does it cross the line?
Conclusion
Comedy is a constant dance between what is accepted in society and what challenges it. Otto Waalkes' “Otto Show” was a groundbreaking comedy phenomenon of its time. As times and morals change, our perception of comedy also changes. WDR's revival of this legendary show with warnings shows that humor should always be seen in the context of its time and the importance of respecting both heritage and current sensibilities.
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

