German TV show hosts break record after presenting for 72 hours

"We are officially amazing!”

That's what dedicated TV host duo Ariane Alter and Sebastian Meinberg (both Germany) shouted after making television history by hosting the longest marathon television talk show (team).

The marathon lasted a whopping 72 hr 5 min 11 sec and took place on the set of TV show Das schaffst du nie! in Ismaning, Germany, from 12 to 15 November 2019.

Das schaffst du nie! features a variety of “dare” like challenges. The duo’s fellow host, Marc Seibold, dared Ariane and Sebastian to complete a 72 hour long talk show and achieve a Guinness World Records title. The entire 72 hour long attempt was filmed live on air, so breaking the world record was no easy feat for Ariane and Sebastian.  

The pair worked extremely hard and together interviewed over 100 guests, including mountain biker Fabio Wibmer, filmmaker Hubi Koch, television presenter Sonya Kraus and even Guinness World Records’ very own German serial record breaker, Andre Ortolf!

In an interview following the attempt, we asked Ariane and Sebastian what breaking this exhausting record was like. 

What was the biggest difficulty you experienced?

A: Staying awake and concentrating for 72 hours demands a lot of energy from your body. We both lost several kilos during the show, so you can see what an energy performance it is. And then there is the psychological hurdle. In the beginning, the first 24 or 30 hours, the time already felt infinitely long, then the first major tiredness and exhaustion set in.

S: Exactly, those were the worst moments for me - when we were so exhausted after 30, 36, 40 hours that I wondered if we could physically manage it at all. Giving up was never an option for both of us, but of course if the body went on strike at some point, you can't avoid it. 

A: Surprisingly, in the last third of the show, i.e. in the last 24 hours, things went up again.

S: At least it felt like it. It's probably all psychology. When you then have the goal in mind, the adrenaline, endorphin and everything else your body keeps you going.

What was the highlight(s) for you?

A: The end was of course a highlight when we knew we had finally actually made it! But of course, the show was also full of exciting moments. Actually there were too many things to decide on a highlight. 

S: I think that the fact that we can't commit ourselves to a guest or a highlight is actually the best highlight there can be. We have experienced so much in the 72 hours that we can fill every small talk at every party for the rest of our lives! And what I found really cool throughout was how the viewers participated online in the show [on YouTube], and how they cheered and supported us.

 Did you have a favourite guest? 

A: We had so many great guests, it would be really unfair to pick anyone out. Well… with the puppies that were in our studio, I might have to make an exception!

S: With more than 100 guests, I don't want to pick out anyone individually. But I always found it particularly good when I learned something from our guests that I had no idea about before - whether it was astrophysics, mathematical infinity calculations or fascia yoga, I am definitely smarter since the show. Oh yes, and now I can repair broken electrical appliances myself, I think it's great!

How long did you sleep after the attempt?

S: I fell into a 15 hour coma shortly after the end of the show [sic]. After that I felt halfway fit again.

A: Unfortunately I couldn't sleep that long. Despite my exhaustion, I stopped sleeping after eight hours. That's why I needed a few more nights to recover. But now everything is fine again!

Do you think that you will break another world record in the future?

A: At the moment I would say that one world record is enough!

S: I think we’ll stay with this one world record. Only a short while ago I never would have believed that I could hear Queen's anthem, which was played at the end of the show, and actually say the lyric "We are the champions of the world” [sic]. Yes, that's really true! And how can you top that feeling?

We agree with Sebastian; there's really no other feeling like achieving a Guinness World Records title!

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