Change of cast on “Riverboat”: Klaus Brink Bäumer will replace Jörg Kachelmann as one of three moderators from January 2023.
However, his debut on Friday evening fell through with many MDR viewers.
Leipzig – At "Riverboat" there were two reasons to celebrate on Friday evening (January 20th): While long-term presenter Kim Fisher (53) celebrated her 25th anniversary as host of the talk show almost to the day, her colleague Klaus gave Brink Bäumer (56) made his debut as a moderator.
Alternating with entertainer Wolfgang Lippert (70) and comedian Matze Knop (48), the 56-year-old MDR program director replaces Jörg Kachelmann (64), who left in December 2022.
But the appointment is controversial.
Moderation debut on "Riverboat" - Klaus Brink Bäumer celebrates his debut in Kim Fisher's anniversary episode
Right at the beginning of the first "Riverboat" issue of the year, Kim Fisher gave her new colleague Klaus Brink Bäumer a warm welcome - a gesture that the studio audience also returned and gave the former Spiegel editor-in-chief (from January 2015 to October 2018) generous applause.
"One must not forget: He is my boss.
Well, we have to behave somehow, folks," joked the 53-year-old, alluding to Brinkbaumer's position as MDR program director, which he has held since January 2021.
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As one of three new moderators, Klaus Brink Bäumer replaces Jörg Kachelmann on "Riverboat".
But the broadcast debut (January 20) of the MDR program director was not well received by many viewers (photomontage)
© Screenshot/MDR/Riverboat
"I'm a bit moved, a bit excited - but above all I'm happy: I'm happy to welcome you here.
A full studio feels good!” the Kachelmann successor let those present know and then, of course, congratulated Kim Fisher on the occasion of her 25th “Riverboat” anniversary.
Then the two led together through a humorous evening of talks, in which TV icon Sonya Kraus (49), "Der Bergdoktor" star Heiko Ruprecht (50) or prince singer Sebastian Krumbiegel (56) took part.
The many faces of "Riverboat" - MDR-Talk had almost three dozen moderators:
Kim Fisher has been on duty on Riverboat since 2014, after the singer hosted the talk from 1998 to 2005.
There has never been a lack of prominent colleagues: since the show began, almost three dozen moderators have led the show, which originally aired under the name "MDR Club" from January 1992, including Jan Hofer (1992-2012), Michel Friedman (1993-1994), Andrea Kiewel (2007), Ruth Moschner (2010-2013) or Jörg Pilawa (2017-2018).
"Riverboat" viewers pissed off - Klaus Brink Bäumer is not well received by the MDR audience
However, the good atmosphere in the "Riverboat" studio was deceptive: after the broadcast, criticism of the new cast increased on the Internet.
"The program director as moderator was the absolute wrong choice yesterday," railed a viewer on the Facebook page of the MDR talk.
Kim Fisher's "usually relaxed demeanor" was "completely slowed down" by Klaus Brink Bäumer.
Another user even spoke of the "worst moderator so far" and complained that the 56-year-old had seemed "unprepared, anxious (...) and quite listless".
"Mr. Brinkbaumer doesn't work at all.
Red card,” was a disappointed conclusion.
In the coming editions, Wolfgang Lippert and Matze Knop can try their luck - and at the same time hope that they will be better received by the audience than the MDR program director.
Jörg Kachelmann, on the other hand, is longingly missed, although the 64-year-old caused more of a stir here and there than was necessary: In his last show, Inka Bause (54) mocked the “Riverboat” moderators because of a question that was too personal.
Sources used:
"Riverboat" (MDR; episode of January 20, 2023), mdr.de, facebook.com/MDRriverboat
List of rubrics: © Screenshot/MDR/Riverboat
