RTL Samstag Nacht was a TV-Comedy-Show, which ran from November 6th 1993 to May 23rd 1998 on the German TV-Network RTL. RTL Samstag Nacht was the first major Comedy-Show in German television, created after the example of the legendary American show Saturday Night Live and broadcast late on Saturday night. It helped comedy in German television to a breakthrough and was a model for several later comedy shows. Karl Ranseier was a recurring character featured in fake news reports telling about his death at the end of each episode. The name Karl Ranseier has become a catchphrase in Germany that has led to its own joke category of Ranseiers which are in widespread usage outside of the comedy origin.