Die Harald Schmidt Show

Harald Schmidt Show takes the late night talk format and adapts it for a German audience with a quick-witted host at the center. Schmidt improvises monologues, chats with guests, and works with a live band led by Helmut Zerlett, while Manuel Andrack keeps the energy moving as assistant host. The program blends comedy, music, and topical conversation into a brisk, political but playful hour that sits between satire and entertainment. It first hit German screens on Sat.1 in December 1995 and ran there until 2003, a period that helped redefine late night in Germany. After various network moves including Das Erste, the show reemerged on Sky Deutschland in 2012, keeping its signature tone. Its return on Sky marked a new phase for the host's public persona and a renewed push for a sharper German late night.

Produced as a German late night staple, the show launched on Sat.1 in 1995 under Harald Schmidt. It later moved to Das Erste in a retooled format, then returned to Sat.1 and finally found a home on Sky Deutschland.

The Harald Schmidt Show helped redefine what late night meant in Germany by mixing biting wit with current events and music. Schmidt's dry delivery and crisp interviews influenced a generation of TV hosts, while the rotating network history underscored the German talk show landscape.

Critics greeted the show as a smart blend of humor and social critique, with Schmidt steering conversations that ranged from celebrities to politics. The format balanced monologues, interviews, and music, letting audiences feel informed and entertained at once while exploring media culture and public life.

Awards: No major nominations or wins are documented for this show. While it sparked discussion and left a mark on German late night, it did not become a major awards magnet. Its legacy rests in its influence on hosts and formats.