In 1999, the time had come: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? flickered across the screens for the first time. The quiz show was a huge hit and achieved cult status on RTL over the decades. One man played a key role in the long-lasting success of the format: TV veteran Günther Jauch.
Since the first broadcast, the humorous quiz master has crept into the hearts of fans. Now the 67-year-old has surprised everyone with a confession: he actually didn’t want to host the show. Find out here why he started on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Günther Jauch shocks with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? confession: “I didn’t want that at all, the offer came from RTL”
Günther Jauch has opened up about his long career in the TV business in a podcast by VAUNET (Association of Private Media). It is hard to believe that the presenter has not always had it easy during his career in show business. Especially during his time at ARD, Jauch “felt more and more restricted”as DWDL.de reports.
But nobody really expected a confession: At that time, Jauch had no interest at all in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?As he reveals in the podcast, he didn’t even apply for the format. “I didn’t want that at all, the offer came from RTL”says Jauch. He admits that he turned down numerous job offers during the 80s and 90s, including the dating show Herzblatt, which achieved absolute cult status with TV legend Rudi Carrell.
Even though Jauch initially had no interest in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the English-language original ultimately convinced him. When he watched the show, he could feel the potential. “That’s when I noticed that it triggered something in me”said the moderator.
Today, Günther Jauch is certainly more than grateful for his decision. Together with RTL, the presenter can look back on almost 25 years of show history. A milestone that only very few formats can achieve.
Streaming & TV broadcast – How to watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who wants to be a millionaire? is always Mondays, at 20:15, on RTLAll episodes can be streamed later on RTL+.