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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.

FILE - The tv figure "Bernd das Brot" on stage during the Grimme awards in Marl, Germany, Saturday, April 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
FILE - The statue "Bernd das Brot" stand in front of the City hall in Erfurt, Germany, on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, File)
FILE - The puppet characters on the German children's television channel 'Kika' 'Briegel der Busch', left, and 'Chilie das Schaf', right, present the statue "Bernd das Brot" at his regular place in front of the City hall in Erfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, File)
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Overview

  • 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.