Geocaching for the first date, freeway exits and toilets as a hobby and a bizarre phobia – with the tolerant woman at his side, Philipp Schaefer is a real lucky guy. Even with the “3 million euro week” of “Who wants to be a millionaire?” (RTL) he clears.
At first glance, Philipp Schaefer from Düren made a completely normal impression. In the course of “Who wants to be a millionaire?” evening, however, you got to know some bizarre sides. They didn’t make the 32-year-old any less likeable, but they also showed that his partner loves him with all his rough edges. Luck in love is one thing, but Schaefer also had in the “three-million-euro week” on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” a lucky streak…
After the 500 euro question, Günther Jauch went on to the obligatory small talk and alluded to the curious hobby of the archivist and historian. While Schaefer pursues a serious job in the Rheinisch-Westfälisches Wirtschaftsarchiv, his private passion sounds more than unusual: the 32-year-old confessed that he was a “geography freak”. So far so good, but be German motorway exits and rest area toilets are of particular interest. The moderator tested this useless knowledge by having the candidate recite the journey from Cologne to Tier. “That’s crazy,” praised Günther Jauch. But he also made no secret of the fact that he wondered what was so exciting about the hobby: “An exciting experience,” he teased ironically.
But then the moderator remembered that he himself is no less quirky. Jauch confessed that he had noted every single advertising board that Maradona had passed in his goal celebration in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals – and listed them! “Remembering that makes as much sense as what you do,” said Jauch.
Philipp Schaefer’s partner, who literally gave him his back, saw things differently: her partner’s knowledge was “super” and “practical knowledge”, because she always knew where to find a toilet or something to eat on the way. Jauch turned to the audience: “Women want someone who knows where the next toilet is. These are the guys who are clearing everything today.” The moderator couldn’t help but laugh briefly. But it is well known that he who laughs last laughs best.
Photo: RTL / Stefan Gregorowius
“Who wants to be a millionaire”: luck in the game, luck in love
Philipp Schaefer’s second unusual hobby: Geocaching. He took his girlfriend on a GPS scavenger hunt on their first date. That hadn’t deterred her either, nor had his rare phobia: Schaefer is afraid of birds. “Especially in closed rooms. But also pigeons, terrible,” he reported. “I avoid pedestrian zones. And Venice – I couldn’t even go there.” His partner is rock solid at his side. She would protect him, she declared bravely. The way she put it, however, caused some suppressed laughter because of the involuntary comedy: “I have no problem with birds.” Jauch’s facial expressions showed that he suppressed a grin. “There was a lot of beauty in that dialogue,” he alluded to the unintentional, clearly ambiguous pun that had entertained the audience.
Philipp Schaefer was not only blessed with a loyal companion, but also secured the ticket for the final on Friday with the 16,000 euro question that he solved with ease. Worth 32,000 euros: “An Australian cover band, whose concerts also fill the largest halls in Germany, plays songs from which band?” Although his telephone joker had to pass, he decided to follow his gut feeling. Pink Floyd was correct. For 64,000 euros, the moderator wanted to know: “The countries that belong to which region all have the color red in their national flag?” The choices were: Central America, Southeast Asia, Scandinavia, Arabian Peninsula. Again Schaefer wasn’t quite sure, but again he dared. He was right: Central America. The 125,000-euro question: “Which animal is supposed to be ”horribilis” according to its scientific name – that is, terrible?” The choices were great white shark, black widow, grizzly bear and king cobra. Schaefer gave up – but as the winner, because he had the ticket for the final and 64,000 euros in your pocket – and a woman at his side who loves him as he is.
Another Philipp preceded him on the guessing chair: overhang candidate Philipp Rubach, master’s student in georesource management, earned 16,000 euros and thus also had a secure place in the final. Stefan Heberle from Görisried in the Allgäu is a chemist in the city’s road renovation and secured his place in the final with 64,000 euros. The Cologne cultural manager and filmmaker Sven Ilgner was less fortunate: he wanted to save the Joker and fell unprotected on 500 euros. Press spokeswoman Sabine Weisel from Ravensburg made it into the final on Friday with €32,000. The tax officer Janina Topp-Oesterle from Solms in central Hesse earned 16,000 euros and also has the chance to win the three million jackpot tomorrow.
