The RTL series "Alles was zählt" will air its 5000th episode on Friday, July 31. Five weeks later, on September 4, the daily soap will turn 20 years old. The network is celebrating both milestones extensively: with an anniversary week starting August 31 and a contest that runs through upcoming episodes. Additionally, a guest star from professional sports is returning. RTL and production company UFA Serial Drama announced this on Thursday.
The series was created by Guido Reinhardt, who still produces it today. His retrospective sounds less like a celebratory mood and more like amazement at his own format: "When I look back at over twenty years of 'Alles was zählt,' I'm filled primarily with deep gratitude and humility. It's actually an impossible dream to have the idea for a series that you're then allowed to produce yourself. But for this idea to endure for over 20 years borders on a small miracle."
He doesn't want to claim the success for himself alone: "Such a series never lives on a single idea, but on hundreds of creative minds in front of and behind the camera. The fact that it has accompanied so many people over so many years is the greatest compliment a producer can receive." Nevertheless, he's convinced "that the most exciting chapters still lie ahead of us".
Sabine Lisicki Returns
The prominent visitor will be Sabine Lisicki (36). The tennis player already stood in front of the "AWZ" camera for the first time last winter and will now be seen again around the anniversary week, from episode 5016 on August 24 to episode 5026 on September 7.
The appearance is clearly more than just an appointment on her calendar. "When the series came out 20 years ago, I hardly missed an episode and would always rush home after training to be able to watch in time", Lisicki recalls. "'Alles was zählt' as a daily series with a focus on competitive sports was always very relatable to me, and I'm happy that the series is still so successful. Here's to the next 20 years."
A Bride, a Baby and Seven Red Balloons
Content-wise, the daily soap sticks to what made it successful. According to the network, the anniversary week starts on August 31 with a bride, a baby and nasty surprises. Over 5000 episodes in the series universe, there has been love, conflict, marriages and divorces, friendships formed and destroyed, intrigues forged and destinies written.
The audience can also participate. In the episodes leading up to the birthday, the production has hidden seven red balloons. Anyone who finds them all and submits the correct solution can win something. The campaign runs until September 4.
There Since the First Episode
One person who has been there the entire way is Tatjana Clasing (62). She has played Steinkamp matriarch Simone since the premiere episode. "20 years of exciting stories, fun at work, wonderful colleagues and a great team! If that's not a reason to celebrate", says the actress.
RTL editors Katharina Katzenberger, who has overseen the series since day one, and Lucie Kleitz also speak up. "The strength of daily series lies in their consistency - in offering viewers a piece of familiarity in their daily routine", they explain. That's exactly what "Alles was zählt" has achieved for 20 years. However, the anniversary is not only an occasion for the editorial team to look back, but "above all an incentive to continue thrilling fans with exciting, emotional and contemporary stories in the future".
"Alles was zählt" airs Monday through Friday at 7:05 p.m. on RTL and anytime on RTL+. The daily soap can also be received in UHD HDR on RTL UHD.
