Entertainer and host Riccardo Simonetti is calling for more variety in the German television landscape. “I think there’s an overload,” Simonetti told web.de, pointing to the sheer number of reality-TV formats. “I would be happy if that stays in balance. There should definitely be room for reality. Reality is fun and makes a lot of people happy,” the presenter said.
At the same time, Simonetti advocates for more innovation in TV: “I would love to see creative people in the film industry come up with something different again, and perhaps push the envelope with something off the beaten path that you couldn’t foresee.” He is especially drawn to game shows and quiz shows: “I’m a big fan of entertainment programs. I love game shows, I love quiz shows. I really enjoy taking part myself.”
For the future of German television, Simonetti sees enormous potential in the collaboration between traditional TV and streaming services. “But one should not view it as competition: what traditional television does, what streaming services do. Instead, we should try to fuel each other. There is a lot to learn from one another,” he explained. While streamers often “hit the zeitgeist,” linear television “is very good at delivering professional productions that are highly polished.”
The queer entertainer, who participates in both classic TV formats and streaming productions, is excited about the success of German originals: “German streaming shows that we are indeed capable of celebrating and watching domestic productions. I personally participated this year in an Amazon series — ‘LOL’ — which is hugely popular. I also acted in a Netflix series ‘Alphamännchen,’ which is also very popular.
