BERLIN – Move over, SpongeBob SquarePants and Sesame Street. Germany’s cult TV phenomenon, Bernd das Brot, is marking its 25th anniversary, and the grumpy loaf of bread continues to enchant audiences both young and old.
Bernd das Brot, which translates to Bernd the Bread, is a puppet famous for his melancholic voice and perpetual gloominess. Played by puppeteer Jörg Teichgraeber, Bernd’s trademark phrase is the exclamatory “Mist!” akin to saying “crap!” in English, further endearing him to audiences.
Bernd harbors an aversion to his role as a television presenter, craving nothing more than to retreat to the solace of his wallpaper at home. This year, however, his companions – a sheep and a flower bush – are attempting to thrust him into the limelight as a bread influencer.
The origin story of Bernd begins in a humble pizzeria, where his expressive frown was initially sketched by creator Tommy Krappweis. The grimace was inspired by co-creator Norman Cöster’s face during brainstorming sessions for creating mascots for KiKA, Germany’s children’s TV channel.
The character took shape as a pullman loaf, thanks to comic artist Georg Graf von Westphalen. Bernd’s grumpy demeanor, affection for complaining, and ironic wit soon became a quintessential representation of German humor. First airing alongside his upbeat pals, Chili the Sheep and Briegel the Bush, in 2000, Bernd quickly captivated the public.
KiKA, primarily a children’s channel, faced overnight programming lulls until January 1, 2003, when Bernd’s episodes filled the void. This unintended scheduling decision attracted a mature audience. Adults lounging at home, often late-night partiers or those indulging in relaxed evenings, quickly adopted Bernd’s sardonic charm.
His popularity soared, eventually earning him the prestigious Adolf Grimme Prize in 2004 thanks to his representation of “the right to be in a bad mood.” According to Krappweis, the genius of Bernd lies in his ability to show viewers the power of humor and self-irony to cope with feelings of vulnerability and sadness.
Bernd’s discontent partially stems from being the unintentional star of a TV show — originally a fallback after a failed bakery mascot venture. In Episode 85, he opens up about a thwarted romance with a “beautiful, slim baguette,” revealing a softer, more vulnerable side to the lugubrious loaf. Alas, his affections were unrequited, as she favored an ordinary multigrain bread.
Despite Bernd’s recurring wish to abandon the show, his misadventures never cease to intrigue. He sings, dances, ventures into space, and even headlines video games and merchandise. In a bizarre 2009 incident, Bernd’s 2-meter-tall statue was stolen from its post outside KiKA’s Erfurt headquarters. Although a video claim of responsibility linked the theft to a protest against a company associated with Auschwitz cremation ovens, the demonstrators denied any involvement. Thankfully, Bernd was recovered unharmed after being discovered in a deserted barrack.
In honor of Bernd’s 25th year, KiKA is launching fresh episodes, revitalizing his popular song, and rolling out online activities catering to fans of all ages. As of February 29th, Bernd’s unofficial birthday, the anniversary festivities are in full swing. September will see the arrival of his latest series, in which Bernd, alongside Chili and Briegel, embarks on the creation of a social media channel dubbed “Better with Bernd.” As they strive to establish him as a bread influencer, their efforts take unexpected turns, morphing Bernd into a reluctant defluencer and trendsetter.
