From the fighting chair, toilet breather, dome cup, pole failure, keyhole garden or spot privilege to the Austrian muscle, tail ripper, thermal trunk or leak umbrella – these are just a few terms for which the advice team from “What’s new?” and seeks answers and explanations in a brilliantly funny way. The popular ORF guess show was broadcast for the first time on October 1, 2004. Since then, Oliver Baier has asked hundreds of tricky questions, questioned the usefulness of the various “things of the week” and asked viewers and celebrities for their active help. With exactly this recipe for success and a top-class advisory team – consisting of Viktor Gernot, Michael Niavarani, Clemens Maria Schreiner, Katharina Straßer and Ulrike Beimpold – Oliver Baier will be through the anniversary episode (659th edition) “What’s new? – 20 Years” on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at 9:35 p.m. on ORF 1 and on ORF ON – surprising appearances and shows included. The celebrity question is asked by none other than Federal President Alexander van der Bellen. And there is every reason to celebrate at 8:15 p.m. when the 30th “Cabaret Summit” edition goes on air.
Oliver Baier: “20 years were just the beginning”
“In 2004 I was told: We’re retiring with ‘What’s new?’ I didn’t believe it. 20 years later I say: Happy Birthday, ‘What’s new?’, on the 20th anniversary, and I’m starting to think that I can really retire with that. I’m really looking forward to it – 20 years was just the beginning.”
More about the content of the anniversary episode (Friday, October 4th, 9:35 p.m., ORF 1 and ORF ON)
There is a jubilant atmosphere in Oliver Baier’s studio! “What’s New?” celebrates its 20th anniversary with tuxedos, sequins, confetti, cake and the country’s comedy favorites. Viktor Gernot, Katharina Straßer, Clemens Maria Schreiner, Ulrike Beimpold and again Michael Niavarani celebrate the ceremony. He immediately feels at home when Oliver Baier wants to know what the “Biernagel” is all about. And when asked about the use of pool noodles on cars in Florida, the team also comes up with a lot. In this extended special edition, long-standing panel members Eva Maria Marold, Thomas Maurer, Sonja Pikart, Günther Lainer, Lukas Resetarits, David Scheid, Monica Weinzettl and Gerold Rudle from all over the world also join in. The celebrity question is asked by the first man in the state: Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen wants to know what the “excellence effect” is. It could be a description of this show.
658 episodes, 25,000 broadcast minutes, 2,300 questions and 653 “things of the week”
20 years of “What’s New?” means 658 episodes and more than 90 “Classics” issues. With the exception of four times in which Gerold Rudle stepped in as moderator, all of these were presented by Oliver Baier. In total, more than 25,000 minutes of broadcasting were broadcast. If you wanted to binge all the episodes of the hit show, you would be thoroughly entertained for more than 17 days and 19 hours. On average, around four to five questions were asked per program – that’s around 3,100 questions and 653 “things of the week” over 20 years. Since the beginning, the editorial team of “What’s new?” has received more than 200,000 emails with around 500,000 questions.
Speaking of “Thing of the Week”: This section, which has now become a cult, appeared for the first time in episode four on October 22, 2004. A sock-putting aid for people with hip problems was presented.
First “What’s New?” issue on October 1, 2004
In the first issue on October 1, 2004, the very first question was: “Why was March 4, 1894 a very special day for the American politician David Rice Atchison?” Michael Niavarani, Klaus Eberhartinger, Gerold Rudle and Eva Maria Marold also sat next to him “Mr. Million Show” Armin Assinger in the “What’s new?” panel to answer this tricky question.
Since the beginning, the “What’s new?” advice team has been formed from the “Who’s Who” of the Austrian cabaret scene. A place is (almost) always reserved for “the one and only” – Viktor Gernot. In addition to him, Ulrike Beimpold, Katharina Straßer, Eva Maria Marold, Monica Weinzettl, Caroline Athanasiadis, Andreas Vitásek, Lukas Resetarits, Michael Niavarani, Günther Lainer, Gerold, Rudle, Alex Kristan, Florian Scheuba, Thomas Maurer, Omar Sarsam and Clemens take part regularly Maria Schreiner Place. And also Sonja Pikart, Malarina, Antonia Stabinger, Isabell Pannagl, Lydia Prenner-Kasper, Robert Palfrader, Rudi Roubinek, Herbert Steinböck, Gerald Fleischhacker, David Scheid, Berni Wagner, Hosea Ratschiller, Benedikt Mitmannsgruber, Dr. Bohl, Elli Bauer, Joachim Brandl and Rudi Schöllerbacher regularly bring a breath of fresh air into the guessing round. Special guests on special occasions included Monika Gruber, Otto Jaus, Guido Cantz, Kaya Yanar and Michael Mittermeier.
20 years of “What’s new?” on ORF ON
In addition to the live streams and videos on demand, ORF ON is offering all fans of “What’s New?” a special “treat” for the 20th anniversary: from Thursday, October 3rd, entertainer Oliver Baier will be presenting his personal “Must-see” streaming highlights on ORF ON: These include not only comedy gems like “Really Fett” and cult films like “Aufschneider”, but also artist portraits like “The Louis de Funès Story” and “Keanu Reeves, the Mysterious ones.” There will also be a reunion with three very special episodes from the show’s history, including the very first episode from 2004 as a highlight.