Celebrating a Decade of Music Show "Formel Eins" on Kabel eins!
This Thursday (8.15 pm), Kabel eins is honoring a beloved cult show – "Formel Eins." Joining the celebration are stars like Matthias Schweighöfer, Thomas Anders, Markus Mörl, Lisa Feller, Nilz Bokelberg, and Anastasia Zampounidis. Former "Formel Eins" presenters, Peter Illmann, Ingolf Lück, and Kai Böcking, serve as the hosts for this retro-inspired event.
Originally launched in 1983 as an ARD program, "Formel Eins" has left an indelible mark on German music television. It was a space where young audiences in Germany could enjoy artistic music videos weekly by groundbreaking acts such as Grace Jones, Depeche Mode, Madonna, and Peter Gabriel. While MTV was still discovering its footing as a niche phenomenon, "Formel Eins" served as an alternative outlet for fans, providing a place to connect with edgy music.
Peter Illmann, one of the show's original hosts, still recalls the first episode vividly. He shares that the opening act was Rainhard Fendrich, and Kajagoogoo won the top prize. A turquoise Isetta headlight bulb, which progressively degraded as the show went on, was their prize.
Illmann was initially disappointed with the unconventional setup but soon discovered that "Formel Eins" aimed to stand out from the "Disco" with Ilja Richter, which followed a more polished format. The music on "Formel Eins" often had a raw and uncensored edge that continues to charm audiences today.
Illmann, now a radio presenter on "80s80s", often interacts with young fans enamored with the era's distinctive sound, as they rediscover artists like Prince and Peter Gabriel.
As the TV landscape has evolved, the music on shows like "Formel Eins" might seem too polished, according to Illmann. He admits to finding it challenging to comment on acts like Coldplay.
For older viewers, "Formel Eins" has a deep nostalgic appeal. "Firstly, you were younger, and secondly, from today's perspective, you think to yourself: oh gosh, not everything was always good back then either, but somehow it was at least understandable and felt easier," says Illmann.
As Kable eins celebrates "Formel Eins"'s 40th anniversary, the lineup also includes contemporary German stars like Matthias Schweighöfer, Thomas Anders, and Markus Mörl. This special event pays homage to the show's storied past while still remaining contemporary and entertaining.
Sources:
sten
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This rewritten piece retains the informal and engaging tone of the original while incorporating insights from the enrichment data, particularly about the show's influential impact on European music and its status as a cultural phenomenon. The structure of paragraphs has been reorganized for clarity, and the content has been restructured and revised for originality.