Huntress

I don't really know why they dropped that short flirtation between Roman and Axel so quickly. I thought they had a lot of chemistry, especially since Axel is so uptight and Roman is the complete opposite. Deniz may be pretty, but he is shallow and so one-dimensional.

Meanwhile, Frank-Thomas Mende, who has played Clemens Richter on "Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten" since the show's first episode in May 1992, has stated that he wants to leave the soap "because the magic is gone". This comes only two months after the departure of fellow original cast member Hans Christiani (A.R. Daniel) whose last episode aired this past July. Mende's impending exit would leave Lisa Riecken (Elisabeth Meinhart) as the last remaining original cast member. However, since Riecken's role has been dramatically cut during the past few years, it can be expected that she will probably leave as well in the near future.

German Top100

August 14th, 2009

Physical and digital sales only

01. Emilíana Torrini - Jungle Drum (1)

02. Nelly Furtado - Manos Al Aire (NEW)

03. Cassandra Steen feat. Adel Tawil - Stadt (2)

04. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over (3)

05. Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling (4)

06. Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor (5)

07. Gossip - Heavy Cross (6)

08. Beyoncé - Sweet Dreams (NEW)

09. Frauenarzt - Das geht ab (11)

10. Jan Delay - Oh Jonny (6)

11. Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (8)

12. Lady GaGa - Pokerface (9)

13. Marit Larsen - If A Song Could Get Me You (15)

14. Linkin Park - New Divide (10)

15. Lady GaGa - LoveGame (12)

16. Sportfreunde Stiller - Ein Kompliment (Live) (14)

17. Milow - You Don't Know (NEW)

18. Green Day - 21 Guns (13)

19. Lily Allen - Not Fair (17)

20. David Guetta feat. Akon - Sexy Bitch (NEW)

...

39. Eminem - Beautiful (NEW)

80. Klaas meets Haddaway - What Is Love 2K9 (NEW)

Some shows have also failed miserably, for example "One Tree Hill", which has already been cancelled twice after only a handful of episodes, or "Brothers & Sisters".

I can add two more shows to that list: "90210" and "Gossip Girl" have been cancelled due to extremely low ratings. Since April, both shows have run back to back on Saturday afternoons on ProSieben. When "Gossip Girl" ends its first season on August 15th, 2009, "90210" will also be gone for good. Originally, the second season of "Gossip Girl" was due to start on August 22nd. The remaining six episodes of "90210" will probably remain unaired. I just wish another network, e.g. the RTL group, had aquired the rights to these shows *sigh*.

By the way, I updated the cast lists on the first page of this topic.

There's going to be a new homosexual couple on "Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten": Carsten Reimann (Felix Isenbügel) falls in love with his best buddy Lenny Cöster (Alexander Becht). Both guys met during their time in the Army last year. Lenny's struggle with homosexuality has been featured since his arrival in December 2007. Lenny's father Alexander even thought his son was gay, but Lenny always claimed that this wasn't true. Currently he's involved with Emily Höfer who has a rocky past herself (she slept with her half-brother and was a druggie among other things).

Carsten (dark hair) and Lenny (blond hair)

The last homosexual couple were Paula Rapf (Josephine Schmidt) and Franzi Reuter (Jasmin Weber) from 2007-2008. Franzi died in the 4000th episode during an explosion at the "Fasan" restaurant. She and Emily were stoned at the time and accidentally caused the explosion. Paula left town six months later after she was rejected by her best friend Verena (Susan Sideropoulos).

Huge hit in Europe right now (Iceland #1, Belgium #1, Germany #1, Austria #1, Finland #5, Switzerland #18 etc.):

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I think it was a mixture of bad timeslots and the shows not being interested enough for the average German audience.

Too a large extent, "One Tree Hill" resolves around basketball which is not that popular over here as it in the US. Besides, the first season is rather dull and I gave up on the show after half a season. Strangely enough, the show's still being released on DVD over here with a German audio track (the 5th season was released in April). On television, only a handful of episodes were broadcasted.

"Brothers & Sisters" on the other hand presents us a typical American family. Moreover, it features a lot of political topics which may not be that easy to comprehend for foreigners. This is also the reason why "The West Wing" never went on the air here.

Do you mean the most popular primetime soaps that were produced in Germany or the most popular US dramas in Germany?

Regarding the first category, I don't think that there have been that many extremely popular ones. "Das Erbe der Guldenburgs" (The Legacy of the Guldenburgs) was the German answer to "Dynasty" or "Dallas" and ran from 1987 to 1990 (39 episodes). But since "Dynasty", "Dallas", "Falcon Crest" and other US primetime soaps were very popular in Germany during that time, the market was supersaturated with shows of that kind and there was no need to produce similar shows. In 2000, RTL launched a primetime spin-off of "GZSZ" called "Großstadtträume" (City Dreams), which was supposed to be more mature than "GZSZ" and featured former characters of "GZSZ". "GST" was cancelled after 7 episodes because of low ratings. In 2005, "Bis in die Spitzen" debuted on Sat1. It was a remake of the British soap "Cutting It". Even though it was a brilliant show and had good ratings, Sat1 pulled the plug on it after its first season.

The most popular US primetime soaps in Germany were "Dynasty", "Dallas" and "Falcon Crest" which were also broadcasted during primetime in Germany. In the 90s and early 2000s, most US shows were only being broadcasted during daytime. "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Melrose Place" ran back to back on Saturday afternoons and attracted a rather large audience during their first seasons. During the last few years, more and more US shows have found their way back into the networks' primetime schedules. These days, major hits are "CSI", "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: New York" (with Miami having more viewers than the original CSI), "House", "Grey's Anatomy", "Private Practice", "Desperate Housewives" and "Monk". "Gilmore Girls" and "Sex and the City" were also very popular during their original runs. Some shows have also failed miserably, for example "One Tree Hill", which has already been cancelled twice after only a handful of episodes, or "Brothers & Sisters".

Looks like "Marienhof" will resume airing 2 episodes a day come October since "Eine für alle", which was launched in April 2009, was cancelled and will only run for 100 episodes instead of 200. For years, the 6.50 pm timeslot has been a big problem for the ARD, with many shows failing to reach sufficient ratings. As a temporary solution, "Marienhof" might air between 6.20 and 7.20 pm once again. Before "Eine für alle" debuted, "Marienhof" aired 2 episodes a day for approximately 2 months. This is a rather strange move, considering that a few months ago "Marienhof" was threatened by cancellation as well. While all 3 RTL soaps (GZSZ, UU & AWZ) are still perfoming well, both ARD soaps (MH & VL) have been struggling with declining ratings since 2008.

Marienhof explodes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQx2dOLsmUo

GZSZ loses one of its original cast members as Hans Christiani has been released from this contract. Christiani has played A.R. Daniel since the show's 9th episode in May 1992. In recent years, Daniel has rarely had his own storyline, but as the owner of the "Mocca" lounge, he usually gave advice to the younger crowd. Christiani's last episode is scheduled for July 31st, 2009 (episode 4293). Daniel and his significant other Rose (played by Christiani's wife Christiane Reiff) emigrate to the United States. Following Christiani's exit, Frank-Thomas Mende (Clemens Richter) and Lisa Riecken (Elisabeth Meinhart) are the only remaining original cast members.

In May, an insider source revealed that more exits are to be expected during the next months.

Actually, I don't mind Celine. Nina Bott may not be the best actress on AWZ, but I loved her during her run as Cora Hinze Moreno on GZSZ (1997-2005).

Stella and Lars's story is just a lame remake of Diana and Julian's story, with Jenny in the middle again.

The ones I can't stand are Mike, Maximilian, Oliver, and Lena. My favourites are Simone, Richard, Annette, Ingo, and Nina.

Roman is okay. Seems like he'll be involved with Axel soon. At least they will share some racy scenes which involves nudity performed by Dennis Grabosch. Poor Nina, once again Roman gets between her and her lover

Some German R'n'B: Cassandra Steen feat. Adel Tawil - Stadt

Has it exploded?

No, the explosion takes place on June 23rd. (We usually get preview pictures and episode descriptions 6-8 weeks in advance.)

While no character dies during or after the explosion, at least four cast members have been let go due to the show's complete overhaul. Katrin Ritt (Yasemin Özgentürk Garcia, 2005-2009) departs on June 9th, Rosetta Pedone (Laura Conti, 2007-2009) on July 8th, and Fabian Baier (Steve Busch, 2004-2009) and Katharina Woschek (Marie Töppers, 2007-2009) say goodbye on July 15th. The future of newcomers Gloria Nefzger (Jule Busch) and Tom Viehöfer (Roman Sander) is unclear.

In turn, "GZSZ"-alumni Hendrik Borgmann joins the cast as Dr. Nicolas Stein on June 24th, while newcomers Maria Hönig and Simone Gorholt join the cast as homeless twin sisters Lena and Ruth Horvath on July 29th, 2009.

Preview pics of the "Marienhof" explosion and its aftermath:

New Kelly Rowland music:

Tiziano Ferro & Kelly Rowland - Breathe Gentle (Kelly even sings some lines in Italian)

David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over

So, Huntress, none of these people who write for these soaps has ever been interviewed or something? No one is particularly famous?

There have been interviews with some writers and producers, but I wouldn't call them famous because soap operas (and telenovelas) are usually still regarded as being trashy by the general public - even though they are among the most watched programs every day.

I know that one writer, Tom Chroust, wrote for VL and then went to GZSZ, only to return to VL last year. He created the famous ChrOlli (Christian & Olli) storyline, but at the same time shelved SuCa (Susanne & Carla) which upset a lot of fans because according to him there was only room for one homosexual couple on the show.

"Marienhof"'s new executive producer Simon Müller-Elmau is responsible for the show's upcoming relaunch. Both "Marienhof" and "Verbotene Liebe" have suffered from low demos (below 10% in 18-49) for quite some time now. There are rumors that "Marienhof" wants to copy the general look of "Alles was zählt". On the other hand, "Alles was zählt" has suffered from declining ratings as well ever since lead actress Tanja Szewczenko (Diana Sommer) left the show earlier this year. Her replacement Nadine Rennack (Stella Coretti) has failed to become equally popular. In addition, the recasting of Diana's (and now Stella's) arch nemesis Jenny Steinkamp hasn't worked out, since Silvia Maleen is still loathed by many fans. Christiane Klimt had to leave the show last year due to a nervous breakdown caused by the show's heavy work schedule.

"Marienhof" explodes!

In late June, dramatic events will happen on "Marienhof": A gas explosion will be responsible for the collapse of the whole "Marienhof-Galerie". The shopping mall, which is located in the center of the fictional quarter of Cologne, has been the show's central point since its beginning in 1992 and has always been a popular meeting place for the show's characters. The explosion goes hand in hand with a complete relaunch of the daytime drama: Not only will the locations change, there will also be new characters, new lighting and a new opening sequence.

New preview pictures (May 2009):

Unter uns

Alles was zählt

Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten

New preview pictures (January/February 2008):

Unter uns

Alles was zählt

Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten

Some casting news:

Alles was zählt

• Lead actress Tanja Szewczenko (Diana Sommer) departs the show on January 7th, 2009.
• Birgit Würz (Nadja Roschinski) is also out.
• Nadine Rennack joins the cast on December 15th, 2008 as Stella Coretti.

Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten

• Tayfun Baydar joins the cast as Tayfun Baydak on December 23rd, 2008.
• Josephine Schmidt (Paula Rapf) departs the show on January 23rd, 2009.

Unter uns

• Olivia Klemke (Franziska Gellert) makes her final appearance on January 14th, 2009.

Marienhof

• Apparently, the producers decided to fire seven cast members: Nicole Belstler-Boettcher (Sandra Behrens, 1995-), Sven Thiemann (Charly Kolbe, 1997-), Roland Pfaus (Jakob Weidemann, 2005-), Sebastian Reusse (Harry Töppers, 2008-), Ivonne Polizzano (Netty Töppers, 2008-) and Maria Mittler (Aurelia Maldini, 2008-). In addition, Sebastian Schulz will join the cast as Ramon, while former recurring star Rosetta Pedone (Laura Conti) has been offered a contract.
• The 3500th episode has been filmed on location in Venice, Italy. It will air on January 29th, 2009.

Verbotene Liebe

• Mascha Müller joins the cast as Princess Luise von Waldensteyck and Simone Ritscher joins the cast as Maria Galdi. Both new contract roles will arrive on January 22nd, 2009.
• Diana Frank (Katja Brandner) departs the show on December 30th, 2008 when her character is killed off.

German Top100

November 28th, 2008

Physical and digital sales only

01. Polarkreis 18 - Allein Allein (Alone Alone) (1) >> Video

02. Katy Perry - Hot 'n Cold (NEW)

03. Pink - So What (2)

04. Britney Spears - Womanizer (NEW)

05. Beyoncé - If I Were A Boy (3)

06. Amy Macdonald - This Is The Life (5)

07. Curse feat. Silbermond - Bis zum Schluss (Until The End) (NEW) >> Video

08. Reamonn - Through The Eyes Of A Child (7) >> Video

09. Guru Josh Project - Infinity 2008 (6) >> Video

10. Herbert Grönemeyer - Glück (Happiness) (4)

11. The Killers - Human (10)

12. T.I. feat. Rihanna - Live Your Life (NEW)

13. Rihanna - Disturbia (9)

14. DJ Ötzi - Noch in 100.000 Jahren (Still In 100.000 Years) (12)

15. Kanye West - Love Lockdown (16)

16. Alicia Keys & Jack White - Another Way To Die (8)

17. Stanfour - In Your Arms (15) >> Video

18. Nickelback - Gotta Be Somebody (11)

19. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl (13)

20. Stefanie Heinzmann - The Unforgiven (18) >> Video

...

26. Aloha From Hell - Walk Away (NEW)

37. Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (90)

50. Sash! - Raindrops (Encore Une Fois) (NEW) >> Video

60. Estelle feat. Sean Paul - Come On Over (NEW)

61. Beyoncé - Listen (NEW)

75. Coldplay - Lost! (NEW)

She performed this on a German Award show.

During this show Britney also won an award for "Best Pop Act - International" Besides, "Womanizer" entered the German singles charts at #4 this week.

Some pictures of upcoming episodes... (November/early December 2008)

Unter uns

Alles was zählt

Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten

No, they are not blood-related. Diana's mother Jutta was married to Oliver's uncle Dieter, but Diana isn't Dieter's biological daughter. Nina and Oliver are cousins, though, since Nina is Dieter's daughter.

German Top100

October 10th, 2008

Physical and digital sales only

01. Pink - So What (NEW)

02. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl (1)

03. Amy Macdonald - This Is The Life (2) >> Video

04. Rosenstolz - Gib mir Sonne (3) >> Video

05. Guru Josh Project - Infinity 2008 (5) >> Video

06. Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me (4) >> Video

07. Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up (6)

08. Peter Fox - Alles neu (6) >> Video

09. Bushido - Ching Ching (NEW)

10. Söhne Mannheims - Das hat die Welt noch nicht gesehen (8) >> Video

11. Scooter - Jumping Back (NEW)

12. Kid Rock - All Summer Long (9)

13. Coldplay - Viva La Vida (10)

14. Paul Potts - Nessum Dorma (11)

15. Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest (NEW)

16. September - Cry For You (NEW) >> Video

17. Maria Mena - All This Time (21) >> Video

18. Lady GaGa - Just Dance (15)

19. The Rasmus - Livin' In A World Without You (26) >> Video

20. Thomas Godoj - Helden gesucht (14) >> Video

38. Annett Louisan - Drück die 1 (NEW) >> Video

40. Metallica - Nothing Else Matters (49)

48. Oasis - The Shock Of The Lightning (NEW)

57. Kings of Leon - Sex On Fire (65)