Die ProSieben Märchenstunde
Die ProSieben Märchenstunde is a television movie series that has been produced since 2006. It features characters that are exclusively portrayed by German and Austrian comedians and actors. The series is shot in Prague.
The screenplays have—amongst others—been written by Tommy Krappweis, Erik Haffner and Norman Cöster who came up with the stories of Bernd das Brot. Additionally, they are directing and have cameo appearances. Many actors use their respective dialect.
Die ProSieben Märchenstunde was nominated for the German Comedy Award in the category Best Comedy in 2006. It is also broadcast on Austrian television channel ORF, which is co-producing the series, airing the programme as Die ORF Märchenstunde.
Premise
Every episode satirises a fairy tale classic like Little Red Riding Hood or Rapunzel. In doing so, the whole plot, characters or even the ending of the tale is rewritten. That's why there is no speaking frog in The Frog Prince, for example. Additionally there are references to popular movies, television series and commercials again and again. The movie series that is produced by Rat Pack Filmproduktion uses known actors and comedy celebrities, predominantly.Members of the permanent cast are the narrator as well as his "assistant" Bruto, a medieval executioner whose task it is to remove Bernhard Hoëcker who keeps trying to be part of the story or to change the story. The narrator always thanks with a sarcastically relieved "Thanks, Bruto!".