Gute Zeiten – schlechte Zeiten, produced by Grundy UFA, has been part of RTL Television’s access prime time programming since 11 May 1992. As GZSZ – as it is affectionately known among its fans - celebrates its 18th anniversary, it’s hard to imagine the daily programme without the series. Teens and young adults in particular have remained enthusiastically loyal over the years.
A team of more over 150 works to ensure that, even after more than 4000 episodes, the stories told in the 25-minute instalments, Monday to Friday, remain new and up-to-date and continue to captivate viewers. Once derided as a pariah of the industry for its occasionally awkward dialogues and shaky props, these days the format can easily hold its own against prime-time series and movies.
Cast members celebrating 18 years of Gute Zeiten - Schlechte Zeiten
The secret to the soap’s success is as complex as its storylines – and the ingredients are regularly reviewed and revised by the professional team in front of and behind the camera. Grundy UFA’s obviously works, as shown not least by the longevity of the series, its huge, loyal community of fans, and awards including the ‘Grimme Online Award’, ‘Goldene Kamera’ and ‘German TV Award’.
On average, as many as four million viewers watch the stories about love, passion and growing up in a scruffy Berlin neighbourhood. This corresponds to a 21.7 per cent share of the 14- to 49-year-old viewer market. The runners-up in terms of popularity are also soaps shown on RTL Television: Alles was zählt (16.5 per cent) and Unter uns (16.9 per cent).
Katrin Flemming-Gerner, Simone Steinkamp, Richard Steinkamp, Jasmin Nowak and Jo Gerner (from left to right)
GZSZ celebrates its 18th this week with elaborately produced anniversary episodes. Numerous guest stars, including famous hairstylist Udo Walz playing himself as he does Katrin Flemming-Gerner and Jasmin Nowak’s hair for the big party, are congratulating the show by making an appearance. Celebrity guests at the Gerners’ party include Simone (Tatjana Clasing) and Richard Steinkamp (Silvan-Pierre Leirich) from the soap Alles was zählt – in the story, Katrin Flemming plans to sign a marketing deal with them.
Since last Monday, viewers and users can find out all about the cult series, enter prize drawings and look over their stars’ shoulders in the ‘Making Of’ video for the anniversary episode. Also since Monday, and for six weeks, viewers can watch 18 highlight episodes from 18 years of GZSZ free of charge at RTLNow.de.