Munich – September 05, 2026 -- Bayerischer Rundfunk's satirical talk show "schlachthof" turns 30 this year, and the broadcaster is marking the milestone with a special anniversary episode airing Thursday, September 17.
The special brings together the who's who of Bavarian cabaret
Hosts Michael Altinger and Christian Springer have invited Luise Kinseher, Günter Grünwald, Alfred Dorfer, Constanze Lindner, Maxi Schafroth and Berni Wagner to the taping at Munich's traditional Wirtshaus im Schlachthof. Martin Frank appears as "archivist," while Teresa Reichl returns as the show's "heckler." Series originator Ottfried "Otti" Fischer will sit among the audience at a newly created side table alongside some of the guests.
The format replaced its original round-table talk with a modern bar setup
Fischer launched the show as an informal round-table discussion; a test episode on the topic "Eating meat and other perversions" aired in December 1995 before it went to series in March 1996. Early episodes featured heated debates with non-professional guests until cabaret performers Jochen Busse and Andreas Giebel joined the format, cementing the mix of conversation and stage performances still used today.
BR's culture director calls it a genuine institution
Fischer hosted the show for more than 16 years before Altinger and Springer took over in March 2013, giving it an updated style while keeping its core format. BR Programming Director for Culture Björn Wilhelm praised the show, calling a 30th anniversary "something truly special" in the fast-moving television business and crediting the hosts with turning it into a real cabaret institution.
The show still draws hundreds of thousands of viewers
"schlachthof" now regularly attracts up to 500,000 viewers and has built a loyal following over three decades on BR Fernsehen.