Bernd the Bread went viral in the U.S. after appearing on John Oliver’s show. Bernd das Brot (Bernd the Bread) is a household name in Germany: this gloomy cartoon character has been a cult figure in children’s television for 25 years now. Bernd is famous for his dry humor and existential despair, which are very different from typically cheerful cartoon characters—think of the show as a German version of South Park. Bernd’s backstory includes a failed love affair with a baguette and his belief that his life is meaningless, which are appealing to Gen Z’s taste for irony and emotional complexity. John Oliver mentioned Bernd on his show a few days ago, putting the German loaf of bread in the spotlight, so it likely won’t be long until young people are sporting Bernd merch. (DW)
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