RTL Samstag Nacht was the first major comedy series on German television - it was modelled on the legendary US comedy show Saturday Night Live and aired late on Saturday evenings. It helped comedy make its breakthrough on German television and was the model for numerous later comedy programmes. The series was produced by Hugo Egon Balder and Jacky Dreksler. The regular cast consisted of Wigald Boning, Olli Dittrich, Esther Schweins, Stefan Jürgens, Tanja Schumann and Mirco Nontschew. Tommy Krappweis joined in 1995 and Mark Weigel in 1997. The studio band ‘RTL Samstag Nacht AllStars’ under the direction of Martin Ernst was there right from the start. The theme music and almost all of the special programme and background music was also composed by Martin Ernst.