Kleber's “heute journal” era has come to an end: the moderator almost lost his voice - before a final roll call

Created: 12/31/2021, 06:26 AM

By: Florian Naumann, Anna-Katharina Ahnefeld

After almost 20 years and almost 3,000 programs: Claus Kleber has said goodbye to ZDF “heute journal” - in an emotional way.

Update from December 30th, 10:25 pm

: ZDF news icon Claus Kleber moderated his last “heute journal” a few minutes ago.

Kleber began the program with a brief visual reference to his long career in the news journal of the second - and ended with a little wobble in his voice and a haunting appeal.

With the words “like this, it won't get any more than that.

2,977 times - today for the last: Good evening! ”, The journalist opened the show.

In the meantime, he also made a rather flippant, personal introduction based on the familiar style: He compared the Omikron situation in Germany and the world with an unequal race.

The race with the pandemic is "like if someone like me had a lead of 20 meters at the beginning of the 100-meter run because Usain Bolt is still tying his shoes at the back - I would still not win."

Claus Kleber at the last introduction to the “heute journal” on December 30th.

© Screenshot: ZDF media library

ZDF- “heute journal”: Kleber's voice wobbles - before thanks from the editors and a final appeal

Almost 30 minutes later it was time for the last words on the air. "This would actually be the point at which the program could end - if there weren't two positions on the display that I don't know what that is," said Kleber, his voice now becoming slightly brittle. Co-presenter Gundula Gause took over. "Dear Claus, it is of course very moving news for us that this is your last show today", she said: "Thank you very much", for "great journalistic spirit in almost 20 years - that was a good time". “We will miss you and I will especially miss you. You go and with that an era comes to an end. "

After a clip with pictures from almost 3,000 adhesive programs, the “heute-journal” veteran turned to the public again personally. “It still has to get a little serious. Anyone who works out the news here every day cannot help but look ahead with worries, ”he stated.

The pandemic will pass, nothing else, said Kleber, referring to the situation on the Ukrainian border, the “hard line of China”, the “dismantling of democracy in America” and “the European idea that has lost its momentum”.

Without an engaged, informed public, there will be no improvement. He had a great team, stressed Kleber and added: “It's all a bit of a video circus if you don't take the time and effort to deal with our work, committed and critical, with the confidence that we have to earn every day ”. The very last words before Kleber and Gause said goodbye with high-five: “Good night and good luck - and a happy new year, especially many thanks to everyone here. See you."

Kleber moderated “heute journal” last time: He reveals how things will continue - and what will happen to his cloakroom

Preliminary report: Berlin - He is one of the most famous faces of public broadcasting.

After almost 3,000 broadcasts, Claus Kleber will host “heute journal” for the last time this Thursday, December 30th.

As early as the summer it became known that the journalist is taking his hat off after almost 20 years on the news program and is retiring.

It takes a lot of getting used to for his audience.

"I want to try to stay cool, but I probably won't be able to do it," said Kleber in a recent interview with the German press agency. So far he has managed to suppress the topic quite well. "But at some point I will realize that this happy chapter of my professional life and my life in general is over," said Kleber. “I have to deal with that moment. Hopefully not while the camera is fully aimed at me. ”However, he wants to continue working as a journalist. “What I definitely want to continue is the documentaries that were close to my heart from the start. Because I got to know the world. Not like a tourist, but like a person who plunges into everyday life, ”said Claus Kleber to the German press agency.

Kleber moderated “heute journal” last time: He reveals how things will continue - and what to expect from his suits

He was constantly approached on the street, he revealed.

The topic now is always that he will soon stop with the “heute journal”.

“That gives a stab every time.

But the comments are almost always appreciative and friendly.

Occasionally there is also criticism, mostly constructive and taken seriously.

What we find in the so-called 'social media' and also in the post often sounds different, ”stated Kleber.

The outgoing “heute journal” presenter complained about the tactic of evasive action, which is increasingly being observed in interviews with politicians.

"This demon, driven by so-called media consultants, of not answering and evading questions is spreading more and more," he said.

“They're probably all getting some kind of training from the same school of thought that persuades them: If you've avoided the question, you've won.

But that's nonsense. ”Viewers noticed that and were upset about something like that.

Claus Kleber leaves ZDF- “heute journal” after almost 20 years: That happens to his cloakroom

There are also exceptions: “Someone like Robert Habeck, for example, is interested in the questions you ask and tries to answer them.

He doesn't always have a really convincing answer, but he gets involved in the conversation. ”As a journalist, it is not only he who enjoys talking to someone who specializes in Habeck.

The viewers like it better, too, because they feel that their representative, the questioning journalist, has been treated better by this politician.

In his penultimate broadcast, on Wednesday, December 29th, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection paid a visit and addressed warm words to the outgoing moderator.

Claus Kleber in the studio of ZDF “heute-journals”.

© Klaus Weddig / ZDF / dpa

In an interview, Claus Kleber also revealed what will happen to his suits: “I can buy the suits that ZDF has made available at a sale price.

I'll take a few of these with me.

I think I've had the same nine suits for many years.

Half will be enough. ”These are familiar things that would still be more or less appropriate.

"Besides, who else wants them?" The journalist jokes.

In just under two decades, Kleber had “left a lasting mark on“ heute journal ”, according to ZDF - since 2003 as main presenter and until 2009 also as editor-in-chief”.

Christian Sievers has already been announced as the successor to Claus Kleber.

In the new role, Sievers will have his first “heute journal” appearance on January 10th on ZDF.