A ratings dissapointment in Germany!
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Deutschland 83
Ehrgeiz — 10 years ago(January 22, 2016 10:23 AM)
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 — 10 years ago(January 22, 2016 01:41 PM)
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 nave 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 — 10 years ago(January 23, 2016 11:40 AM)
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 — 10 years ago(February 07, 2016 03:49 PM)
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 — 10 years ago(February 08, 2016 09:45 AM)
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
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mac_alain — 10 years ago(February 08, 2016 03:59 PM)
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 — 10 years ago(February 08, 2016 05:06 PM)
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. -
cliclou — 9 years ago(April 23, 2016 04:03 AM)
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.
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ph75006 — 9 years ago(August 12, 2016 11:30 PM)
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.
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Gamleboyen — 10 years ago(February 10, 2016 04:06 AM)
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. -
bitwalker — 10 years ago(March 07, 2016 03:09 PM)
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 — 10 years ago(March 17, 2016 06:57 PM)
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.