ALFONS - Klasse!

Alfons came, saw - and fell head over heels: more than three decades ago, Alfons and Germany fell in love with each other. So where does that leave them now? What has become of this love affair? Is the passion still alive? Or are Alfons and Germany just sitting together on the sofa in their underwear, watching TV, with nothing left to say to each other?

And more broadly: how is Germany doing? How are the Germans getting on? What is happening to the sense of community in the land of poets and pensioners? Between east and west, rich and poor, young and not-so-young anymore? Is democracy broken? And if so - is it covered under warranty, or will we have to foot the repair bill ourselves?

Alfons is worried about his great love: Germany. And he sets out to find some answers. One thing becomes clear quickly: the age of armchair democracy is over. Each of us has to do something - but what, exactly?

In his eighth programme, the cult reporter and fluffy philosopher once again manages, in his inimitable way, to wrap big topics in small anecdotes - warm, funny and with a wonderfully sharp eye. "Klasse!" is a love letter to Germany - and a wake-up call in equal measure. If you have ever wanted to know what the rule of law has to do with a motorway service-station toilet, what Asterix can teach us about wage negotiations, or what Alfons experienced as an overwhelmed substitute teacher in a struggling German classroom - this is the show for you. And if you simply need an evening that restores your faith in humanity, you are in exactly the right place.