Cult show Herzblatt returns after 19 years: This is what happened to the presenters

This crazy dating show captivated millions of viewers: Herzblatt. Humor, romance and thrills came together here; a combination that was really well received. Week after week, the audience was spellbound as the candidates had to choose between three unknown faces behind the partition. The unusual premise created suspense: Can the perfect partner really be found based on their voice? In the 90s, the show became a phenomenon; not least because the popular presenters crept into the hearts of the viewers. So we’re taking a look back 37 years after the first broadcast: What happened to the moderators of Herzblatt?

What happened to the presenters of the cult show Herzblatt?

Rudi Carrell (1987-1993)

Hard to believe: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? legend Günther Jauch was actually supposed to take over the hosting of Herzblatt. Instead, the choice fell on TV legend Rudi Carrell (†71). Fortunately, many think. Because Carrell thrilled the German television audience like no other. His sharp comments and unmistakable Dutch accent quickly made him a favorite with the audience. After his time at Herzblatt, Carrell stayed in the media world, with hits such as 7 Tage, 7 Köpfe. Until his death in 2006, he was one of the most influential figures in German entertainment.

Rainhard Fendrich (1993-1997)

After Carrell’s departure, Rainhard Fendrich took over the leadership. The Austrian singer-songwriter was already hugely successful in the charts at this point – the Viennese is a real superstar, especially in his home country. His genre: Austropop – pop music in the local dialect. With hits like “Macho Macho”, he also made a name for himself in Germany. Privately, things were not always rosy for the exceptional musician – but his turbulent drug days are said to be a relic of the past. The 69-year-old’s last album was released in 2019, and in 2025 he plans to go on tour under the motto “45 years live”.

Hera Lind (1997-1998)

Hera Lind is the only woman in the group and an absolute multi-talent. Before her time at Herzblatt, she hosted a talk show on ZDF, but her greatest successes came outside of the TV world as an author. It’s hard to believe: with bestsellers such as “Das Superweib” she blossomed into one of the most successful authors in the German-speaking world. After writing light-hearted women’s novels for many years, in recent years she has mainly devoted herself to serious stories. Although she can no longer build on her previous book successes, Hera Lind is still doing well in the business. Her total circulation is impressive: she is said to have sold over twelve million books. No one will have to try and match that.

Christian Clerici (1998-1999)

Like his predecessor, Clerici only appeared on the show for one season. So it’s no wonder that his role as Herzblatt presenter has been somewhat forgotten. Before Herzblatt, he had already appeared on various Austrian television formats, but the dating show made him famous beyond the country’s borders. In the following years, he appeared in various show formats, but he also gained a foothold outside the media industry: for several years now, he has been working as an advertising entrepreneur and gives coaching on sustainable mobility concepts. Nobody would have believed that the charming Austrian was a real technology nerd.

Pierre Geisensetter (1999-2001)

Pierre Geisensetter is a real all-rounder. The German-Malian gained his first media experience in the USA before making his breakthrough on TV in the late 90s. He was better received on Herzblatt than his two predecessors: he was allowed to host the show for a whole 80 episodes. After his time on Herzblatt, he took part in numerous TV shows – including celebrity boxing and the Wok World Championship. Then in 2015, his career changed dramatically: the ex-presenter turned his back on the TV studio and joined the fitness industry. He is now a big shot at one of the largest fitness studio chains. And it shows: Geisensetter looks much more muscular than he used to.

Jörg Pilawa (2001-2004)

Anyone who likes TV shows will know this face 100 percent. Jörg Pilawa has long been an integral part of the German media world. The presenter is big in the business; year after year he can be seen in numerous show productions. The blonde presenter is always versatile and likeable. This is probably one of the reasons why he is booked for TV again and again. The fact that things are going better than ever for the 58-year-old is proven by his full schedule: Pilawa can currently be seen in 8 shows that are regularly shown on TV.

Alexander Mazza (2005-2005)

Alexander Mazza is the last presenter to have presented the classic version of Herzblatt. There have been sporadic attempts in recent years to bring variations of the show back from the dead, but none of the ideas have really caught on. Even in Mazza’s time, the air has gone out of it a little: the 18th and final season was no longer shown on Das Erste and moved to the less popular Bayerischer Rundfunk. After the end of Herzblatt, Alexander Mazza appeared in front of the camera for smaller guest roles, but he is seen less and less often as a presenter. Today he works mainly as a coach and lecturer, including for a journalism school.

Strange comeback on TV: Nobody expected that

Herzblatt is set to make a comeback on the Austrian ORF1. However, the show concept will be completely revamped: instead of being in a TV studio, the candidates will simply coupled up in a taxi. Presenter Tina Ritschl travels across Austria and asks piquant questions. As in the original, there is a partition behind which the three candidates will sit. It remains to be seen whether this new interpretation will revive old successes.