Gurning Guru Graceful in Absence
"Garden Setting in Television Absence of Kiwi Fruit, Incorporating Cheers Instead"
Tel Aviv/Mainz (dpa) - In lieu of the birthday girl, an empty chair graced the ZDF live broadcast "Fernsehgarten" in Mainz - Andrea Kiewel, the Tel Aviv resident, couldn't host due to the closed airspace over Israel. "Dancing with the Stars" judge Joachim Llambi (60) and Lutz van der Horst (49) from "heute-Show" filled the void, with promises of a one-time fill-in stint.
At the onset, Llambi briefed the viewers on Kiewel's unavailability, as Van der Horst relayed their conversation with her, emphasizing her wellbeing. "She's pretty bummed about not making it today," he confessed, requesting a hearty round of applause from Mainz's audience. Llambi showered her with love, while Van der Horst pledged to give their all - "within our means," he added.
As the curtain fell, one couldn't help but question if the relief seeping through the air was genuine or merely theatrical. "We pulled it off, got our 'Fernsehgarten' on stage," Llambi summarized. "Complete madness," Van der Horst affirmed, expressing hope for Kiewel's speedy return to her post. "We adore you, Kiwi, come back soon!"
Kiewel's 25 years in the Spotlight
With 25 years under her belt, Kiewel, affectionately known as "Kiwi," is synonymous with the ZDF-Fernsehgarten. This annual season, running since May 4th, features 20 episodes planned until September's end. The missed Sunday was intended to celebrate her 25th anniversary, with Llambi and Van der Horst already planned guest appearances, as per ZDF [1].
Since 1986, the open-air show has been a staple at the ZDF broadcasting center in Mainz-Lerchenberg. Kiewel took the reins in 2000, following in the footsteps of Ilona Christen and Ramona Leiß [1]. This Sunday, the guest list included Katja Ebstein and Guildo Horn [1].
Kiewel once shared with "Bild am Sonntag" that her Tel Aviv abode is her sanctuary: "During the 'Fernsehgarten' season, I typically get on a plane on Sunday at 6 pm and arrive in my little Tel Aviv apartment by midnight (...)" [2].
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Throughout her extensive career, Kiewel has showcased versatility as a host, taking on various entertainment, breakfast television, and legal-themed programs. She gained national prominence in 1993 as a presenter on "Sat.1 Frühstücksfernsehen," before establishing herself as an anchor for numerous Saturday evening shows on ZDF [3]. Kiewel has also hosted her own show called "Einspruch" on RTL and earned €400,000 annually for her work on "Fernsehgarten" [3].
In her 25 years at ZDF-Fernsehgarten, Andrea Kiewel, popularly known as "Kiwi," has turned the open-air show into a sanctuary, with her Tel Aviv home serving as a tranquil escape during the stressful 'Fernsehgarten' season. Despite her love for her home-and-garden lifestyle in Tel Aviv, her chair graced the empty stage of ZDF's Fernsehgarten in Mainz this week due to closed airspace over Israel.
