Anyone wanting to tune in to "ZDF-Fernsehgarten" as usual this coming Sunday will search for the show in vain. On August 9, the live broadcast from Mainz's Lerchenberg will be canceled. The ZDF ticket service explicitly points out that the event will not take place on this date.
The reason is right on the doorstep: The "Fernsehgarten" grounds will be occupied by another format this weekend. "Die Giovanni Zarrella Show" is moving outdoors for the first time for its summer edition and is using ZDF's iconic location for this purpose. Not Andrea Kiewel (61), but Giovanni Zarrella (48) will therefore be on stage in Mainz this weekend.
However, viewers won't have to do without Kiewel entirely this Sunday. At 12 noon, ZDF will show "ZDF-Fernsehgarten - Das Quiz" instead of the live broadcast. In the journey through 40 years of the show, Kiewel competes against Lutz van der Horst, Janine Kunze and Vincent Gross in seven quiz rounds. Joachim Llambi hosts the show as game master.
Recording on Saturday evening
According to the ZDF ticket service, the Zarrella edition will be recorded on August 8 at 7:30 p.m., the evening before the regular "Fernsehgarten" date. A public dress rehearsal is already scheduled for August 7, where fans can experience the making of the show.
However, television audiences won't see the result until a good three weeks later. According to the program announcement, ZDF has scheduled "Die Giovanni Zarrella Show - Die große Sommerparty" for Saturday, August 29, at 8:15 p.m. After that, the show will be available on stream until September 27.
ZDF has not yet explicitly confirmed a causal connection between the Zarrella recording and the cancellation of "Fernsehgarten".
Three hours of music
Three hours of Schlager, pop and international entertainment are announced for "Die große Sommerparty" in front of 4,700 spectators on the grounds. A milestone is being celebrated: Giovanni Zarrella's show premiered in September 2021 and is thus turning five years old.
According to ZDF, the guest list includes Kerstin Ott, Vanessa Mai, Semino Rossi, Andreas Gabalier and Sarah Brightman, among others. Also announced are Pietro Basile, Mark Medlock, Frida Gold, Joey Heindle, Pohlmann, Tim Peters and Vincent Gross. The duo Neonlicht, which emerged from a Schlager casting show in "ZDF-Fernsehgarten" in 2021, will also be there. As usual, Chris Papendieck and his band will provide the music.
How "Fernsehgarten" continues
After the break, Kiewel returns one week later. For August 16, the ZDF ticket service announces an Italo-Schlager edition with Nino de Angelo, Rosanna Rocci, Pietro Basile, Engelbert, Ragazzki, Esteriore Brothers and ANDITA. On August 23, a "Christmas Party" follows with Ross Antony and Paul Reeves, Nik P., Annemarie Eilfeld, The Bad Falling Bostels and Souhaila.
On August 30, a Schlager party continues, and in September a "Powergarten", a federal states special and an Oktoberfest edition are on the calendar. The season runs until the finale on September 27. The broadcaster reserves the right to make changes.
