Der Tatortreiniger

Bjarne Mädel displays his acting abilities once again, yet this time he'S not playing a man child like he did in Strommberg. This time he's the every-man with a rather unusual job. He's the one who get's paid for cleaning up crime scenes. However it ain't the cleaning that's entertaining , it's the people with whom he gotta deal while cleaning up. Nazis,Vegans,Murderer,Reality TV Stars,Shaman Priests, just to name a few. The jokes are sometimes on him, and sometimes on the person that he encounters. Right now "Crime Scene Cleaner"(or Der Tatortreiniger" in German)is one of the few good German productions on television. other memorable German TV shows are:"Circus Haligali" and "Walulis Sieht fern"

I'm usually a bit put off by philosophy in the guise of comedy, or most movies for that matter (e.g., that god-awful one from Germany years ago, about angels descending into taverns to bloviate to customers). But "Crime Scene Cleaner" does it adroitly and, IMHO, hilariously.

What puzzles me, however, are the two scathing negatives from German posters. I admit I don't know Mr. Madel's previous roles so I can't say whether he just cuts and pastes his performances here. But to say that CSC "sucks" in comparison to what's on American TV is a gobsmacker. If the poster could direct me to the U.S. sitcom that's crisply dialogued and nicely played by the supporting actors, and which is pitched as high, I'll watch it in a trice!

Normally I really despise German comedy, especially when they try to imitate American humour. But this show embraces German unfunnyness and makes it very hilarious. No obvious jokes but more subtle between the lines humour. Every episode tackles a sensitive topic from a very different and opposite point of view, which makes you think about it in a new way yourself. All actors are character actors them self and Bjarne Mädel is totally lovable as simple but goodhearted cleaning staff. If you expect over the top "I slipped on a banana and that's very funny" jokes, you won't be enjoying this show. BUT if you enjoy subtle between the line jokes and high quality dialogues, please watch it and you won't regret it!

This is a character driven sitcom. Might be too much dialog for some people. I like it a lot. The humour is quirky and subtle. Whether Schotty is dancing in a bunny costume for extra cash,getting back some Nazi bullies or stuck in a magicians chest with a gay man talking about their hopes and dreams , there is never a dull moment.

German TV productions are usually meh at best. Sure, there was Heimat or Berlin Alexanderplatz, but mostly they suffer from small budgets and even smaller ambition. Crime Scene Cleaner is the rare exception from the rule, a real gem of unhurried and intelligent comedy. And more importantly, it is original. Not some knock-off, stuff you've seen before. The format allows it to be great in spite of a most likely abysmally small budget.

So far you are stuck with Canal+ in France and Network MHZ in the US, to actually see the show. Which is more than you can say for most German TV, but sadly the show is far from readily available. But it certainly worth the 30 day trial of MHZ streaming service.

Give it a try, you will not regret it...