Overview
- During the live 90s-themed Fernsehgarten on Sunday, July 12, Andrea Kiewel misidentified a Japanese Pokémon card as Chinese and uttered the imitative phrase “Ching Chong Chang” while on air.
- A short clip posted by creator mr.fujicards spread widely on TikTok and Instagram within hours, reaching hundreds of thousands of views and driving much of the public reaction.
- ZDF issued an official apology saying the remark was spontaneous, not meant to be racist, and quoted Kiewel as regretting her words, but the statement did not announce any disciplinary steps or training.
- Viewer response remains split: many Asian creators and viewers called the line everyday racism and demanded a personal apology and consequences, while a sizeable group dismissed the backlash as excessive.
- The episode’s technical faults—audible feedback and echo during interviews—and other on-air miscues have amplified criticism of the show’s live production and editorial oversight.