- "I don't have to be the cool player"
From 2002 to 2013, Simon Gosejohann (48) made the streets of German cities unsafe with his pranks in the format "Comedystreet" - until everyone knew him. Now the format is back: On August 7, 20 new episodes of "Comedystreet" will start on the streaming provider Joyn.
Almost nothing has changed, because Gosejohann will again play pranks on unsuspecting passers-by with a hidden camera in the eighth season. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the comedian talks about how the comeback after eleven years feels for him, his stance on the development of humor, which prank even makes him uncomfortable - and what he has been up to in the "Comedystreet" break.
How does it feel to return to "Comedystreet" after so many years?
Simon Gosejohann: Fantastic. Because it worked just like it always did, because it felt exactly the same. Because the same author and director has been there since episode one, as well as my brother, who made the camera at the beginning and now also works as a director. In this season, even my girlfriend has been involved and taken care of the costumes. So I was perfectly surrounded by my loved ones, which had a good vibe.
How has the format changed in the long break?
Gosejohann: The break plays into the cards of a format with a hidden camera. Eleven years of absence means there's a whole generation that has grown up without Comedystreet and that I can fool again. And the older ones don't remember so quickly... As for the format, we're rather going back to the roots. Quick, clip-like 25 minutes with many new characters, but also the classic characters from back then. And this time we are three. Moderator Sandra Sprünken and social media entertainer Marco Gianni are on board.
Did you expect that "Comedystreet" would ever come back?
Gosejohann: It was kind of in the air. The retro TV trend even brought back "The Price is Right". From my feeling, our format was never out of time. Of course, some clips have aged badly, but the format itself doesn't age, we film outside in real life, in the here and now. Of course, you have to adapt the ideas, that's very important and was also a lot of work this time to be in a frame that is funny and up-to-date. But yes, it was in the air.
Do you think pranks and reactions to them have changed significantly in the 20 years? Many pranks can't be done nowadays...
Gosejohann: I don't know if we were always that extreme. We always depend on getting a consent form from people. We can't just insult them, because they don't want to be on TV with that. We've always been dependent on each other since the first episode. The things that have happened socially, the woke generation, #MeToo and so on, I've mostly welcomed them. It all leads to a respectful, valuing societal coexistence, which is good for us.
Our humor can't do without cringe, that's clear. But it's important to stay on eye level and not choose humor that puts others on display. That's not "Comedystreet", it never was. There are clearly more topics than sexism, racism, and body shaming. I mean, our daily life is full of absurdities, quirks, weird jobs, idiots and idiots, so there's definitely something else to find.
Has humor itself changed significantly in the last 20 years?
Gosejohann: A lot has been done in the 2000s. And especially towards homosexual people, the cliché box was opened quite brutally. We even had the gay construction worker at some point, who might not have aged well, we weren't sure about that. In the end, we did this: The gay construction worker is now simply heterosexual and let's see what happens.
When watching pranks, one often feels quite embarrassed for the people involved. Do you ever find your own pranks embarrassing?
Gosejohann: I'm completely over it. I find it funny, I like making a fool of myself. I don't have to be the cool player in my characters, trash types are just as fun. But when I put people in uncomfortable situations, it's uncomfortable for me too, I can't help it. What feels uncomfortable for the viewer also feels uncomfortable for me as the actor.
What stays particularly uncomfortable in your memory?
Gosejohann: For example, I play a grumpy character: He goes into stores and complains for no reason and threatens to give a bad online review. It's so mean because this review system has such relevance and impact. It really shook the people I did this prank with: Why only one star? It was really uncomfortable to force such an unfounded bad review on people, especially when they put so much effort into their business.
Where do you draw the line with pranks?
Gosejohann: Nothing is too embarrassing for me, I have no limits, everything is open. Of course, one has to consider what the lawmaker has put into place. It might be funny to violate a boundary or commit an offense. But overall, I think that's a dead end. Otherwise, I don't think too much about limits, but more about what's funny.
How did you experience the filming? How did the secrecy of the "Comedystreet" comeback go?
Gosejohann: In the beginning, it went well with the secrecy because people didn't expect it. A format that hasn't existed for eleven years wasn't on their radar. Then it became a bit more, in some cities it spread, and then there was a press release. So, we started wearing masks more again.
What makes the ultimate "Comedystreet" prank victim?
Gosejohann: We do this intuitively and situationally. Also, my risk of being recognized is much higher with men between 30 and 40. They seem to laugh more at themselves and were more lenient in giving consent. It's also better to approach people while they're sitting, as the saying goes, don't stop travelers. Plus, we're in Germany, there are still other aspects like regulations and permits that I'd rather spare you.
When you went back to pranking on the streets after all these years, was there a block or were you right back in it?
Gosejohann: The nights before, I thought a lot: Are people more aggressive now? Where are we going? Are there still city centers like before, or have they all been put to sleep by the corona crisis? But on the first day of shooting, everything was just like before. I'd also like to say: Any dystopian thinking is unwarranted. We're doing well, people are pleasant, and as you call into the forest, that's how it echoes back.
You haven't been very present on TV lately - what have you been up to?
Gosejohann: I've always been working hard, trying to place the best formats possible. I've done various TV shows. There have been some flops along the way - that's just how it goes when you've been in the business for over 20 years. The question is always how you're positioned, because if you don't have an exclusive contract with a station, you don't get the next format as quickly. I've also been a guest many times, and that's been great. During the corona crisis, I was quizzed by Ruth Moschner, and I was of course grateful for that.
Speaking of colleagues: Simon and Elton were once the TV dream team. Do you still keep in touch?
Gosejohann: Elton and I do keep in touch. It can go a couple of years without contact, but that's not a problem. When we see each other again, it's like we're an old married couple. We might be living apart, but in the big picture, we're still married.
After a long break of eleven years, Simon Gosejohann described the return to "Comedystreet" as feeling "fantastic" due to the familiar surroundings of his loved ones involved in the production. As the format returns with new episodes on August 7, Gosejohann shared that he's looking forward to pulling pranks on unsuspecting people again, while his brother captures it all on hidden camera.
Experiencing an entire generation who has grown up without "Comedystreet," Gosejohann is excited to entertain them once more, revealing that he feels the break played into the formula's favor. The break also gave him an opportunity to reflect on the development of humor, stating that the format itself doesn't age, and they'll be returning to its comedic roots.
