German gets its own version of satirical puppet show

Germany is getting its own version of Spitting Image.

Work has already started on making the puppets of prominent national figures for local sketches that will be mixed with international content from the English original.

Jürgen Klopp and Angela Merkel will be revived from the first series, with new caricatures including  Bavarian  state president Markus Söder, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and footballer Thomas Müller. 

Though written and voice by Germans, the scenes will filmed in the UK close to the series being aired on Sky Deutschland. In Britain, the series will return to streaming service Britbox this autumn.  

Spitting Image co-creator Roger Law said: ‘Unlike Boris Johnson, I'm delighted that Spitting Image is working in collaboration with Sky Deutschland.

‘The puppets are terribly excited and very busy perfecting their German. The show probably won't be about Brexit, the World Cup or motorways, but who knows. You can never be too sure about Spitting Image!’

Christian Asanger,  vice president of entertainment at Sky Deutschland, added: ‘Spitting Image is a cult show. With the world's first local version of this successful British format, we are adding another innovative Sky Original to our comedy portfolio.

‘Whether a scientist, sportsman or TV star - German celebrities will soon be shivering in front of Spitting Image and, in keeping with the Bundestag elections in September, German political figures will also get their money's worth.’

Produced by Avalon, Spitting Image also returned to ITV for a one-off US election special last year, attracting 4.4million viewers.

As part of the new deal, series one is being revoiced in German by the local voice artists.

Published: 24 May 2021