Kerkeling on award winners: Not laughed so much for so long

Executioner's axe - Kerkeling on award winners: Not laughed so much for so long

The audience in Passau's Scharfrichterhaus almost burst out laughing at his jokes - but only almost. Austrian cabaret artist David Stockenreitner impressed the jury on Wednesday evening with his razor-sharp humor and was awarded the ScharfrichterBeil 2023. The prize is one of the most prestigious awards for up-and-coming cabaret artists in the German-speaking world.

In his program, the 33-year-old addresses his physical disability and delivers punchlines with pinpoint accuracy. Comedian Hape Kerkeling (58) was impressed by Stockenreitner's wit. The comedy legend was the first Beil award winner at the Scharfrichterhaus in 1983 at the age of 18.

Kerkeling said of Stockenreitner after the award ceremony: "He took the cake. I haven't laughed that much in a long time." He continued: "So funny, so brilliant, so to the point, so literary, such a stage presence, so witty, so charming. I believe and hope this will be a great career."

Stockenreitner picks up on his own everyday experiences, sharpens them in a subtle way and fires his jokes like arrows into a bull's eye. He casually holds up a mirror to society and addresses socio-political issues such as the treatment of people with disabilities, online shopping and the church.

Kerkeling's appearance in 1983

On his return to the Scharfrichterhaus, comedian Kerkeling recalled his appearance in 1983, when he was a replacement on the list of candidates and did not immediately generate enthusiasm with his story about his guinea pig and his aunt. It may have been funny, but it was not socio-politically relevant, said Scharfrichterhaus co-founder Walter Landshuter. The fact that he came first after all had opened up an "incredible career" for him, said Kerkeling. "I have never forgotten that for the Scharfrichterhaus." And he joked with a laugh: "It was 40 years ago. The best thing is: I'm still alive."

Walter Landshuter remembers not having given Hape Kerkeling much credit. "We were battle-hardened here against the CSU and the church - and then we're sitting there with the little boy." But: He was the most talented and immediately had the audience under control.

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1. The executioner's axe, symbolizing the ScharfrichterBeil award, was presented to David Stockenreitner in Bavaria's Scharfrichterhaus.
2. Hape Kerkeling, a renowned German comedian, praised Stockenreitner's winning performance, stating he hadn't laughed that much in a long time.
3. The Austrian cabaret artist's sharp humor and wit impressed the jury, earning him one of the most prestigious awards for up-and-coming cabaret artists.
4. David Stockenreitner's comedy addresses his physical disability, online shopping, and socio-political issues, such as the church and treatment of people with disabilities.
5. Kerkeling, a past ScharfrichterBeil award winner, shared his memories of his 1983 appearance at the venue, where he initially struggled to connect with the audience before eventual success.
6. Walter Landshuter, Scharfrichterhaus co-founder, expressed surprise at Kerkeling's early talent and control over the audience, even though they were not initially welcoming.
7. The impact of the Scharfrichterhaus on Kerkeling's career was significant, as his successful performance there led to an "incredible career" in comedy.
8. Harpe Kerkeling, a popular media personality and comedian, reflected on his past performance at the Scharfrichterhaus, joking that "40 years ago was the best thing, and I'm still alive!"

Source: www.stern.de