MovieChat Forums > Deutschland 83 (2015) Discussion > A ratings dissapointment in Germany!

A ratings dissapointment in Germany!

posted 8 years ago by Ehrgeiz
15 replies | jump to latest

A kind of surprising development. This german series was aired in the USA before Germany on sundance TV and got good reviews, so it had kind of a buzz before it started here. Maybe its "U.S. success" was hyped up a lot to the german viewers. In absolute numbers, and on a seemingly niche channel, the U.S. viewer numbers were still a lot lower.

In Germany it startet off good with around 2,5 million viewers, but until the last episode, it faded down to 1,4 million viewers.

Many pointed out, that it was on the wrong time slot (arguing that the viewers prefer the much more stupid shows shown usually on that time table). And that younger viewers would not follow any TV shows over a course of 8 weeks.

Personally, I think the shows content did not work for German viewers. Regarding historical shows, they are used to a more dramatic display. The show had good actors and a certain professionalism which many German shows lack going for it, but that was not enough. I thought there was too much mingled together, regarding the comedy and action elements. I stopped watching after the 3rd episodes. Plus, maybe it was on the wrong "historical time frame". For elder Germans, the 1980ies cold war was a lot different, the younger ones probably did not care at all.

[–] cliclou 8 years ago

I just finished watching the entire season and loved it. What a pity to think it wasn't popular in its own country. I myself loved the mix of comedy and action, I felt like it was what made this show stand out.

The latter half veered a little into soap territory with the (expected) reveal that Schweppenstette is Martin's father, and also his, for some reason, villainous scheming to get a nuclear war started. And it might been a little naïve at times, but hey, it's entertainment, I didn't mind at all and just played along because overall the show looked and sounded good and was highly entertaining. The main actor was very likeable in his role, as well as all of the supporting cast. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

I've no idea if the creators of this show have in mind to make more seasons, but if they have more ideas and storylines, I'd hope they would go for it, although I highly doubt any new material could involve any of the same characters, which is a pity, but rather would have to jump ahead in time and center around a new plot and new characters in order to stay interesting.

I was born in the early 80's and enjoy Cold War era spy stuff and this hit just the spot. At the end of this, I want to see Jonas Nay in more things but sadly I don't know enough German !

[–] Ehrgeiz 8 years ago

I've no idea if the creators of this show have in mind to make more seasons, but if they have more ideas and storylines, I'd hope they would go for it, although I highly doubt any new material could involve any of the same characters, which is a pity, but rather would have to jump ahead in time and center around a new plot and new characters in order to stay interesting.

There is the strange situation now that sundance TV asked for a second season and the German TV channel who aired will likely not do it again. But it could be move to one of the smaller channels where it arguably will fit better in the program.

[–] floyd_dylan 8 years ago

They should do what the creators of This is Endland did. Set the next series a few years later.
For example:
Deutschland 83
Deutschland 86
Deutschland 89 (before and after the collapse of the Berlin Wall)

[–] t-l-s 8 years ago

I didn't work for German viewers because its not very good. It worked for English speaking viewers, because of the liberal pretension of it being cool to say you watch foreign tv/films with subtitles, any equivalent english production made with exactly the same script, same actors, with the lines instead in english would have been very badly received. It a fanciful spy drama and it has no where near the sophistication of The Americans set in the same period, and even that whilst critically acclaimed, is not that popular

[–] Ehrgeiz 8 years ago

To some extent true. I was not so impressed by it, either. But, compared to nearly every other program RTL has, it was a masterpiece.

[–] mac_alain 8 years ago

It worked for English speaking viewers, because of the liberal pretension of it being cool to say you watch foreign tv/films with subtitles, any equivalent english production made with exactly the same script, same actors, with the lines instead in english would have been very badly received.

What. A. Lot. Of. Nonsense.

[–] t-l-s 8 years ago

Yeah if Mi5 picked a random soldier at the height of the troubles, killed off an irish officer, told him, without any training to pretend to be this real life soldier,(btw we'll ignore that he probably has an accent from the other country) hope he has zero family or friends. Then ask him to pick locks, break safes all without training, and just hope it goes ok. Then manage to get away with phoning the UK and telling them that your in Ireland in the house of a Irish General. The critics would say exactly what it is, absolutely RIDICULOUS

but don't worry its in German, so its cool. You can tell your mates how cool you are because you watch films in subtitles, and the ignorant folk, never do anything this cultured.

[–] rancidbastard29 8 years ago

Did you miss the part in the first episode where he was explicitly trained in these things? If you want to be critical, at least get it right.

[–] cliclou 8 years ago

I'm a French person who's reduced to watching *only* foreign shows because there's no good TV where I am. It's either lame... or even more lame. I liked Deutschland 83 because, while it had its minor flaws, it was fun and enjoyable, which is mostly what you expect entertainment to be. Also I used to love Cold War spy stuff as a kid so that show was a real treat for me.

[–] ph75006 8 years ago

Funny you said that. I'm a young American but live in France for several months every year. I hear the same compliant from every one of my French friends! Personally, I think France has produced some good tv shows! And the quality and production value has really improved in the last few years.

[–] Gamleboyen 8 years ago

It is kind of a reversed James Bond we're dealing with.
Completely unrealistic of course, but still very enjoyable and with some very nice references.

But it is always possible that the German public would have preferred a documentary.

[–] johnniecaven 8 years ago

Yes, disappointment is a hard word to spell.

[–] bitwalker 8 years ago

I thought there was too much mingled together, regarding the comedy and action elements. I stopped watching after the 3rd episodes.

Just finished episode 4. First two were promising but the 3rd was weak and 4 is just plain stupid. It is going downhill quickly. If it continues like this then I am not surprised by those dropping viewer number. As simple entertainment it is still nice and I enjoy the music. 📻

[–] helenandbrian 8 years ago

I heard an interview with the woman behind it. She is American (possibly half British) married to a German and it was made specifically for an English speaking market. She wrote it in English and had it translated. Hence the reason maybe why it was better received in the US ans britain than in Germany.

[–] MinaVladimir (4077) 7 years ago

I have to admit that I'm getting a bit tired of the whole Cold War/Socialism thing at this point. But unlike the heavy, 'we were all so miserable back then' stuff produced where I'm from, this at least had a bit of life to it. I liked the comedy, because a lot of what went on back then was tragicomedic. I enjoyed Martin experiencing things from the West, like getting a walkman and having a damn orange when he felt like it (the amount of times I've heard "We only had bananas for Christmas, and the lines we 50 km long"). And I liked the perspective of Germany (or the Germanies) being stuck between the USA and USSR having a pissing match (which is basically what the Cold War was). And Martin in the same position on a smaller scale.

I felt they did put too much into it, Nuclear threat, AIDS, illegal books, the obvious musical choices. And it was ridiculous a lot of the time. But despite all of that I found it to be a fun show.