Wetten, dass..?
A ZDF Original
Wetten, dass..? is a long-running German-language entertainment show that mixes live variety with audience participation. Each episode centers on contestants offering to complete unusual challenges or stunts for a wager, while celebrity guests and a studio audience react, comment, and sometimes... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 21, 2026
About Wetten, dass..?
Wetten, dass..? is a long-running German-language entertainment show that mixes live variety with audience participation. Each episode centers on contestants offering to complete unusual challenges or stunts for a wager, while celebrity guests and a studio audience react, comment, and sometimes place their own bets. The evening also includes interviews, musical numbers, and comic interludes, with the host steering the pace and keeping the live energy high. It’s designed for Saturday-night viewing, balancing light-hearted competition and celebrity spectacle without revealing major outcomes in advance.
Premiering in 1981, the format was created by Frank Elstner and built on concepts from the British show You Bet! and the American Wanna Bet?. Over the years it featured several hosts, with Markus Lanz later becoming the best-known presenter of the modern era.
Across its long run the program picked up a variety of national television honors and nominations, reflecting sustained recognition within German-speaking broadcasting. Awards tended to acknowledge its production values, popular appeal, and high-profile live broadcasts rather than international prizes.
As a cultural fixture, the show shaped weekend TV habits and celebrity promotion in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Memorable live moments and unexpected incidents became talking points in the press, and its Saturday-night slot influenced other programs. It spawned parodies and references in comedy and popular media, and international stars occasionally appeared, adding to its profile.
Critical response has been mixed, with viewers and reviewers praising the live unpredictability and star-studded lineups while criticizing an occasionally dated format and sensational segments. On one database the series has an average score of 5.3 out of 10 from 19 votes, reflecting divergent opinions among a small sample of viewers. Main themes include showmanship, risk as entertainment, and the intersection of ordinary people with celebrity culture.
Details
- Release Date
- February 14, 1981
- Episode Length
- 2h 45m
- User Ratings
- 19 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 33
- Episodes
- 210
- Network
- ZDF
- Status
- Ended
- Genres
- Drama, Reality, Comedy, Talk
- Country
- Germany
- Studio
- ZDF +2 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Cast
Markus Lanz
Self - Host
Created by: Frank Elstner
Seasons (33 seasons, 210 episodes)
Season 1
7 episodes - 1981
Season 2
6 episodes - 1982
Season 3
6 episodes - 1983
Season 4
6 episodes - 1984
Season 5
6 episodes - 1985
Season 6
6 episodes - 1986
Season 7
6 episodes - 1987
Season 8
8 episodes - 1988
Season 9
8 episodes - 1989
Season 10
6 episodes - 1990
Season 11
6 episodes - 1991
Season 12
7 episodes - 1992
Season 13
6 episodes - 1993
Season 14
7 episodes - 1994
Season 15
7 episodes - 1995
Season 16
5 episodes - 1996
Season 17
6 episodes - 1997
Season 18
7 episodes - 1998
Season 19
8 episodes - 1999
Season 20
7 episodes - 2000
Season 21
6 episodes - 2001
Season 22
7 episodes - 2002
Season 23
6 episodes - 2003
Season 24
7 episodes - 2004
Season 25
7 episodes - 2005
Season 26
6 episodes - 2006
Season 27
7 episodes - 2007
Season 28
6 episodes - 2008
Season 29
7 episodes - 2009
Season 30
7 episodes - 2010
Season 31
6 episodes - 2011
Season 32
4 episodes - 2012
Season 33
3 episodes - 2013
