The interim status is as follows: ARD no longer shows Winnetou films because the network of broadcasters has not acquired licenses for them, ZDF shows Winnetou films because the broadcaster has acquired these licenses. The excitement and the comments about it show that both positions are accompanied with criticism and sympathy.
And it turns out how valuable it is that public service television broadcasts two main programmes, so the Winnetou films disappear from the first and yet remain in the system through the second.
Perhaps the public service broadcasters have found a way, and rather involuntarily, of how to deal with material that is judged under the currently valid criteria of cultural appropriation, sexism or gender. What one sends, the other does without, joy and sorrow are shared systematically (!). The Winnetou films are not isolated cases. The early James Bond strips are mentioned almost in the same breath. 007 hits women, in the face and behind, turns them away “when men speak”, and the scene between the secret agent and Pussy Galore in “Goldfinger” can be considered rape.
In general, women’s names: Pussy Galore, Holly Goodhead, Xenia Onatopp or Octopussy. There have been over 50 Bond girls so far, with most of whom Bond had sex before over 30 of them died. By then he had already forgotten the names – they were interchangeable and accessories such as exotic locations and fast cars. James Bond is downright toxic when it comes to sexism and MeToo—but that’s part of the ongoing attraction of these productions to quite a few.
Could one conclude: The ARD takes the Bond films in the program, the ZDF does without, is already on the road with Winnetou and the associated double helix of applause and boos can be solved in a simple, even elegant way. Or? Or not? One question still remains unsolved: Who will be showing Bully Herbig’s “Shoe of Manitou” in the future? Lots of white people cavort there as I-people, the main character is gay and wears a pink I-suit. No good and well-intentioned public service television can and should not be burdened (vulgo: polluted) with this. So ProSieben? So ProSieben!
