Media man and media critic

The figures are not easy to calculate – but it’s estimated that there are somewhere between two and a half and four million people of Turkish origin living here inGermany. There are some, but not many, on German TV. So, although my latest guest on Talking Germany isn’t unique, he is unusual. He’s DW-TV’s own Ali Aslan. But Ali, who presents Quadriga – DW’s international talk show – insists that he’s precisely that: “I’m not Turkish, not German. I’m international.”

read more

But you’re driven, too 

She’s a bundle of energy. OK, I know, it’s a cliché. But when the cliché’s true, use it. “I can’t stand being in one place. I need to move around. To be doing things, experiencing things,” she says. So has she ever dreamt of settling down? “I’ve dreamt of trying. I live out of a suitcase. I’m going to Cambridge University next week. Then Washington DC, followed by South Carolina. England again. Back to Berlin. And then,” I think she says, “Africa and Australia.” I just can’t keep up. This whirlwind is one of my favourite colleagues at DW – the delightful Ariane de Hoog – and she’s my latest guest on Talking Germany.

read more

Gut feeling, says Ariane: the ultimate cliché girl’s movie of all time. But it certainly fits. Because Ariane can dance.

The bitter nectar of (the hand of) God

“Good question! Very good question!” She puffs out her cheeks. “I need to think.” Her eyes rotate. We’re talking M&M. No, we’re talking M or M. A question of quasi-religious importance for every Argentine: Maradona or Messi? And it looks as if Maradona has won her vote: “He represents the lowest instincts in society and people can identify with that.” Interesting point of view. And I agree entirely. My favourite soccer photo of all time shows six Belgians against one Dieguito – and they’re terrified!! (see photo Maradona and six Belgians below). Anyway, my latest guest on Talking Germany certainly knows what she’s talking about. She’s former soccer reporter Pia Castro, who now has her own talk show on DW called Alemania con acento. 

read more