Overview

• ZDF aired its rock and metal special on September 7 from Mainz-Lerchenberg, hosted by Andrea Kiewel with Bernhard Hoëcker as co-host.
• The lineup featured acts including The Rasmus, The Sweet, Gotthard, Battle Beast, Wind Rose and Smash Into Pieces, alongside comedian Bülent Ceylan.
• Novelty segments such as Heavy‑Metal‑Stricken, Hyrox fitness demos and a steampunk feature anchored the theme, with the knitting item drawing widespread ridicule online.
• Kiewel’s zebra-patterned trousers and her on-air admission of not knowing the term “Teutonen‑Metal” (“Ich hab das noch nie gehört”) fueled social chatter and criticism.
• Viewers split sharply on the format, with additional gripes about rapid camera cuts, while Ceylan’s performance included a pointed message against “Diktatoren” and “Arschlöcher.”