These days, when entertainer legend Thomas Gottschalk stops for a reading tour for his book “Unfiltered,” it’s not just the crowds of fans that pour in, but also the press. The 74-year-old knows how to play the audience keyboard all too well. The current role: the ‘old white man’ who says with a wink what the majority of people today find objectionable. And during his visit to Vienna on Wednesday evening, Gottschalk didn’t think twice.
“I have been accused of becoming strict over the years,” Gottschalk told the media before his book launch. After all, there was a lot of discussion in Germany about the TV veteran’s third autobiography (“Wetten,dass..?”). Gottschalk did not want to deny on Wednesday evening that this form of attention will certainly benefit the sales of the book: ‘At my age you have few opportunities to make headlines: either you die, which I didn’t want. Or you can beat up your partner, which I didn’t feel like doing either.”
The German show host emphasized that he had never approached women inappropriately. “I believe that I have not interfered with things in my television programs and harassed women who did not want to,” the 74-year-old emphasized: “I have generally never abused my position of power.” in his eyes, the responsibility here lies with men: “It is always men’s business to behave decently – and not women’s business to turn things down.”
About gender and Generation Z
In the 319 pages of ‘Unfiltered’ – his third book after ‘Herbstblond’ (2015) and ‘Herbstbunt’ (2019) – Gottschalk devotes himself to the phenomena of the zeitgeist, which he has often criticized. The whole thing varies from gender to Generation Z and their attitudes. But even if the title of his book implies otherwise, he should make it clear: “I have never been filtered. I never said that I can no longer say what I think.” But in the past he may have spoken first and then thought about what was different today.
But he is and remains skeptical about gender: “It’s not that I refuse. But I don’t think it helps anyone if they change in any way.” This also applies to the issue of transsexuality. “I find it a bit strange that someone can decide to wake up as a man and go to bed as a woman.”
“Wealth definitely does not bring happiness”
In addition, he has also collected some wise words in his 74 years of life: “Wealth definitely does not bring happiness. And a certain level of fame cannot be the goal.” And the decades-long Eurovision champion also had a final piece of wisdom for the Austrians: “You may not have the seriousness that I see in Germany.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
