For some reason, the German language has a reputation for not being very funny. Anyone who says that has clearly never met Bastian Pastewka. Since the 1990s, actor and comedian Bastian Pastewka has been a standard of German comedy on television. He has set the bar for comedy, including ten seasons on his namesake show Pastewka or, more recently, on the no-laughing-allowed streaming series LOL: Last One Laughing.
If you’re looking for a good laugh and want to learn German, buckle in. Let’s practice German with Bastian Pastewka’s films and television programs this month!
Get to Know Bastian Pastewka
Bastian Pastewka was born on April 4, 1972, in Bochum, Germany, but grew up in the then-capital city of Bonn. His mother was a grade school teacher and his father was an agricultural engineer. After completing his Abitur and his civil service, he briefly studied teaching, German, and sociology.
But around this same time in the early 1990s, Pastewka was already pursuing comedy. With Bernhard Hoëcker, Oliver Bröker, and Keirut Wenzel, he founded the comedy troupe Comedy Crocodiles. For nearly five years, they performed at theaters around Bonn and Cologne.
In 1994, he made his first television appearance…portraying a leaf of spinach. Within a couple of years, he was part of the Sat.1’s comedy sketch show Die Wochenshow.
For Binge-Watchers: The Sitcom Pastewka
Over fifteen years and ten seasons, Bastian Pastewka starred in the sitcom Pastewka. Often compared to American comedies Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, the show is “about nothing” and finds its humor in the absurdities of everyday life. Pastewka portrays a semi-autobiographical version of himself. The show ran for almost 100 episodes and is packed full of celebrity guests.
Language Learning Focus: This show is a goldmine for Alltagssprache (everyday German). Because it’s semi-improvised, the dialogue is natural and full of common phrases and fillers. It’s perfect for intermediate learners looking to understand how Germans really talk.
For Film Fans: The Parody Der Wixxer
Written by Oliver Kalkofe, Oliver Welke, and Pastewka, Der Wixxer is a 2004 film parodying German crime films.
Pastewka and Kalkofe star as Inspector Very Long and Chief Inspector Even Longer, respectively. They are in hot pursuit of a gangster known as Wixxer, a play on Wichser or “wanker.” Wixxer is trying to take over London’s dark underworld. But what is his or her real identity?
The film is an affectionate parody of the black-and-white Edgar Wallace crime films from the 1960s, which are a massive part of German pop culture. Knowing this makes the intentionally stiff acting and dramatic music even funnier.
The pair reprise their roles in the 2007 sequel Neues vom Wixxer.
Language Learning Focus: This film is fantastic for understanding German wordplay (Wortspiele) and parody. The humor often comes from taking formal, old-fashioned language and placing it in absurd situations. It’s a great lesson in tone and context for advanced learners.
For Modern Romance: Perfekt Verpasst
Anyone who has watched the German version of LOL: Last One Laughing hosted by Michael Bully Herbig is familiar with the natural comedic chemistry between Pastewka and Anke Engelke. So it’s no surprise that the two teamed up for the Amazon Prime series Perfekt Verpasst (or The Perfect Miss in English).
The premise of the show is that Ralf (Pastewka) and Maria (Engelke) are in a rut in their personal and professional lives. And while they seem like they would be the perfect match for each other if only they weren’t strangers in the same small town.
Language Learning Focus: As a dialogue-heavy series, this is an advanced masterclass in listening comprehension. Pay close attention to the pacing, sarcasm, and subtext between two masters of comedic timing. It’s ideal for learners who want to grasp the nuances of conversation.
Whether you prefer the everyday chaos of a sitcom, a silly film parody, or a modern romantic comedy, Bastian Pastewka offers a hilarious entry point into the German language. His work is a reminder that learning a language doesn’t have to be all flashcards and grammar drills—sometimes the best lesson comes from a good laugh.
Which of these shows will you be watching first? Or do you have another favorite Bastian Pastewka role? Let me know in the comments below!
Practice, practice, practice! Discover more German actors and actresses previously featured.
Top photo courtesy of Bastian Pastewka’s official website. This post contains affiliate links.
