Sat.1 cancels comedian’s new show

Luke Mockridge provoked a public outcry with anti-disabled statements. This now has consequences for the entertainer.

Comedian Luke Mockridge mocked the Paralympics athletes in the podcast “Die Deutschen”. Among other things, he said: “There are people without legs and arms, you throw them into a pool – and whoever drowns last wins.” His statements provoked a public outcry, and the comedian was sharply criticized from many sides. Now Sat.1 is taking action.

He was actually supposed to have a new show called “What's in the Box?” starting September 12th. But that's not going to happen now. The station has decided not to start the “new show 'What's in the Box?'” on September 12th, said station spokesman Christoph Körfer when asked by t-online.

“The statements about disabled people and para-athletes, which many people are rightly outraged about, do not fit with our values,” the statement said. Luke Mockridge quickly realized what he had done wrong with these statements and also publicly apologized credibly – but the format will not be launched for the time being.

It continues: “We hope that Luke Mockridge finds a way to follow up his apology with actions and to continue to work through the issue in the interests of all people with disabilities and in the interests of all para-athletes who impressed and enchanted us with their achievements in Paris.”

Luke Mockridge apologized publicly on Saturday. “Of course, it was never my intention to ridicule people with disabilities – especially during these great Paralympic Games,” he wrote, apologizing to all the people he had offended.