Cologne celebrates 25 years of NightWash: comedy highlights in the Tanzbrunnen!

Cologne celebrates 25 years of NightWash: comedy highlights in the Tanzbrunnen!

On Friday evening, Cologne experienced a packed program as part of the “25 Years of NightWash” anniversary in the Tanzbrunnen. The creative mind behind the concept, Klaus-Jürgen “Knacki” Deuser, who himself thrilled the audience with his funny manner, recalled the beginnings of the show, which originated in a laundromat in the Belgian Quarter. The event featured 25 comedians who made the audience laugh for a good three hours, and Toni Bauer, who moderated the evening, ensured that the audience was actively involved. As [the Rundschau](https://www.rundschau-online.de/koeln/koeln-innenstadt/deutz/koeln-nightwash- Feiert-jubilaeum-im-tanzbrunnen-mit-erfinder-knacki-deuser-1053626) reports, the Tanzbrunnen shone with the splendor of comedy and entertainment.

Among the numerous talents were some well-known faces from stand-up comedy. Bastian Bielendorfer spoke humorously about the hobby horsing trend, while Mirja Bös made people smile with her stories about sauna experiences. Atze Schröder didn't miss the opportunity to ensure a hearty laugh with his parodies of “The Lion King” and Herbert Grönemeyer. In his performance, David Kebekus addressed the salary differences between women and men in his own family, which gave many food for thought. Abdelkarim made his audience smile with stories about the helpfulness of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Ruhr area, and Özcan Coşar humorously criticized the different demands placed on comedians and musicians.

A look back at 25 years of success

The anniversary celebration was not only a homage to Deuser's original idea, but also a celebration of the diversity and creativity in the German comedy scene. Comedians like Simon Stäblein brought scenes from Cologne traffic to the stage and thereby created a connection with the audience. The event once again demonstrated that many of these talents owe their reach and popularity to the NightWash format. As Deuser aptly noted, it was difficult for him to answer the question about his favorite comedian; he hoped that the audience would “give the benefit of the doubt for the gag”.

The recording of this special show will be broadcast on RTL2 on Wednesday July 16th at 8:15 p.m. - another highlight that captures the best moments of this lively evening. The joy of laughter and the way comedy has developed in Germany is also reflected in the increasing popularity of stand-up comedy. More and more people prefer to experience stories and gags live and be carried away into the multifaceted world of humor.

A look into the stand-up scene

The enthusiasm for stand-up comedy was not only noticeable at the anniversary show, but also reflects a broader trend. An example like Hans Thalhammer, a trained carpenter who wants to establish himself in the comedy scene, shows how diverse the interest in this art form is. Thalhammer has created his own event where both experienced comedians and newcomers have the opportunity to take the stage. This clearly shows that humor has a long history in Germany and is constantly changing. The discussions about what is allowed and not allowed, the jokes and the failure in the comedy sector are just as exciting as the performances themselves. As Standup-Comedians.de shows, this change is bringing a breath of fresh air to the German comedy scene, which is increasingly establishing itself as a serious art form.

A successful evening that not only celebrated talent, but also brought together a community that loves humor in all its facets. Cologne certainly has many more nights like this ahead of it, where laughter and a good mood are the main focus.