The sketch comedy series ‘Smeilingen – A Village Like You and Me’ features 17 television stars and comedians, showcasing humorous and quirky stories from village life in the fictional town of Smeilingen. Prominent locations include the town hall, police station, and various community spots. Led by Uwe Ochsenknecht as the vain mayor, the ensemble cast includes notable actors like Heino Ferch and Michelle Hunziker. The series, balancing lighthearted comedy with absurdity, premieres on November 1.
The new sketch comedy series ‘Smeilingen – A Village Like You and Me’ (Das Erste) brings together 17 television stars, comedians, and hosts, along with additional actors, to showcase amusing, quirky, and sometimes dark tales from rural life in the fictional village of Smeilingen. Settings include the mayor’s office, police station, church, school, sports field, supermarket, tavern, pharmacy, and funeral home, as well as private gardens and public spaces around the village. The vibrant community also features two influencers who have moved from Dubai, along with superstar Michelle Hunziker.
Who’s in the Cast?
Film and TV icon Uwe Ochsenknecht, 68, shines in the role of the vain, self-righteous, and unmotivated Mayor Markus Seider, who has the honor of opening each episode.
Heino Ferch, 61, and Hannes Jaenicke, 64, create entertaining scenes as the overly ambitious police duo Hauke Mayer and Hanno Meier. Ferch shares his delight: ‘It was a huge pleasure for me to play not the serious investigator but the village sheriff in a sketch comedy.’ Jaenicke adds, ‘Playing a village policeman who isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed was incredibly fun. If the audience enjoys watching it half as much as I enjoyed playing, I’d be grateful.’
Film star Armin Rohde, 69, portrays Ingo Pannek, the former captain of a legendary football team that once played in the regional league. Now a coach in Smeilingen, Rohde enjoys depicting this passionate yet temperamental character. ‘I had an insane amount of fun playing this passionate yet choleric coach,’ he exclaims. ‘My preparation involved studying the outbursts of as many football coaches as possible. This is my humble attempt to add something to that great tradition.’
‘Let’s Dance’ star Jorge González, 57, adds surprise elements as Juan Jiménez, a Cuban exchange teacher with a passion for natural sciences and a not always easily understandable accent. ‘The character of Mr. Jiménez fits me like a glove,’ he chuckles.
Phil Laude, 34, appears as Frank Stimpel, a character with traits reminiscent of ‘Monk.’ Laude, a German-Austrian YouTuber and comedian, offers a fresh discovery for those unfamiliar with him. His sketches in ‘Smeilingen’ avoid the level of dad jokes—he’s poised to receive the Bavarian Cabaret Award in just a few days. ‘The sketches instantly captivated me with their absurdity and reminded me a bit of Key and Peele,’ he shares.
Meanwhile, popular host Michelle Hunziker, 47, navigates the Smeilingen dating scene as herself—will she find her dream man? ‘Playing with my image, exaggerating this role, and slipping into various situations has been a ton of fun,’ she confirms.
Elena Uhlig, 49, takes on the quirky role of Yasmin Wegener, the local pharmacist, confidently declaring, ‘We are definitely funnier than our neighboring village, Weiningen.’ Meanwhile, comedian Martin Klempnow, 51, entices villagers into his empty church with themed sermons (e.g., Ballermann, fitness). Rising star Tim Alberti (born 2002) plays Ole Konrad, a cunning postman who has various tricks to deal with the local dogs. Comedian Cordula Stratmann, 60, and host Katrin Bauerfeind, 42, are guaranteed to get laughs as twin sisters Sonja and Dunja Bruckner.
Actress Christine Neubauer, 62, embodies Biggi Straßburger, the distinctly Bavarian innkeeper. Comedian Mirja Boes, 53, stars as the unsympathetic mortician Frieda Grabowski, and Nico Stank, 35, plays Marc Frisch, a queer supermarket clerk. Comedians Tony Bauer, 29, and Negah Amiri, 31, portray the influencer couple Leif and Isi Sommer.
Is It Worth Watching?
Absolutely! This feel-good series delivers on its promise: against a sunny backdrop of blooming canola fields and grazing cows, sketches unfold around typical village residents in a charming rural setting. While some ideas and performances are outstanding, others may feel reminiscent of dad jokes. However, just as a one-liner emerges, a clever gag follows suit. The varied humor likely stems from the many writers involved—beyond head writer Simon Hauschild, there are ten others credited. Only Stratmann and Klempnow wrote their own sketches. Interestingly, those who may not be traditionally recognized for