Germany’s Beloved Gloomy Bread Puppet Bernd das Brot Marks 25 Years on TV

The cult-favorite character, known for his pessimism and dry humor, celebrates his anniversary with new episodes and a social media venture.

Bernd das Brot, a grumpy puppet loaf of bread, has been a fixture on German TV for 25 years, gaining a cult following among both children and adults.
Originally created as a mascot for KiKA, Germany's children's public television channel, Bernd's gloomy personality and ironic humor have made him a unique cultural icon.
The character's unexpected popularity among adults began in 2003 when his short episodes were aired overnight, attracting late-night viewers and partygoers.
In 2004, Bernd won the prestigious Adolf Grimme Prize for representing the idea that it’s okay to embrace bad moods with humor and self-irony.
To celebrate the anniversary, KiKA is releasing new episodes in September, where Bernd reluctantly explores social media as a 'defluencer,' alongside his quirky friends Chili the Sheep and Briegel the Bush.