Also: “Kaisermühlenblues: The History of the Cult Series”; new episode “erLesen” – from December 18th to December 24th
Vienna (OTS) – Cabaret on “ORF III Theme Monday” and on “Thursday Night” with, among other things, “Kracher & Lacher – Christmas with Nia, Gruberin & Co”
The “ORF III Theme Monday” starts the main evening on December 18th with “Kracher & Lacher” (8:15 p.m.): Nothing is sacred to the local cabaret stars, not even Christmas Night. The new production brings together numerous greats from the Austrian cabaret scene with their reflections on Christmas, including Michael Niavarani, Viktor Gernot, Thomas Stipsits and many more. After the highlights of Viktor Gernot’s performances and programs in “Forays through my best years” (9:05 p.m.), Gery Seidl closes the evening with “Aufputzt is” (9:50 p.m.).
On “Thursday Night” on December 21st, “The Round Table” will review some of their funniest Christmas experiences with “Satirical Christmas” (10 p.m.). In “Cabaret in the Tower” “Es ist ein Ärzte aussprungen” (12:10 a.m.), the Christmas program by audience favorites Peter & Tekal, is on the schedule.
“ORF III Cultural Tuesday” with three “Erbe Österreich” films and a new edition “erLesen”
On “ORF III Cultural Tuesday” (December 19th), “Franz Joseph’s Brothers – The Fatal Four” (8:15 p.m.), “The Christmas of 1888 – Franz-Joseph, Rudolf and the Missed Chance” (9:05 p.m.) and “ Sweet old times – Viennese confectionery and confectionery” (9.55 p.m.) three “Erbe Österreich” productions on the program. ORF III will then present a new issue of the literary magazine “erLesen” (10:50 p.m.). Shortly before Christmas, Heinz Sichrovsky is once again inviting interesting authors to talk. Rita Falk, winner of this year’s Austrian Crime Prize, has reached a wide audience with her series about Inspector Franz Eberhofer. In her latest book, “Steckerlfischfiasko,” Eberhofer investigates a murder case at the local golf club. In his latest book, the renowned author Michael Köhlmeier shares reflections on works of literary and cultural history that have significantly influenced him. Valery Cheplanova, well-known actress and singer, presents her debut work “The Horse in the Well”. The novel follows the lives of four strong women in Russia and takes up autobiographical elements of the author.
Health in ORF III: “MERYN on Monday” and “treffpunkt medizin” on Wednesday
A new edition of “MERYN am Montag” (6.45 p.m.) asks “How healthy is your Christmas roast?” In addition to giving presents, sharing a meal together is an integral part of Christmas. But in addition to the social character, the common denominator of many traditional dishes is a high fat and sugar content and often sluggish digestion afterwards. To what extent can your personal Christmas meal be made healthier and what importance should you give to healthy eating over the holidays? In this episode, ORF health expert Siegfried Meryn looks together with an expert at the composition and nutritional content of our traditional holiday cuisine, always aware that Christmas should above all be a time of joy.
On Wednesday, December 20th, the new “treffpunkt medizin” production “Faith and Health” (10:30 p.m.) delves deeply into the moving life stories of people who have found their way back to life and joy after crises and strokes of fate. Supported by the stories, emotions and insights of the protagonists, the film shows the wide range of human experiences and at the same time invites the viewer to self-reflect. For a deeper understanding, psychiatrist Michael Musalek and theologian Paul Zulehner, among others, explain the functions of pastoral care. In addition, from 11:20 p.m., another “treffpunkt medizin” production will address the question “Can we think of ourselves as healthy?”
Documentary highlights on Wednesday and Thursday: “Home Austria”, “Country Life” and “Land of Mountains”
High peaks, white mountains, blue sky, colossal panorama: On Wednesday “Heimat Österreich” takes you through “Winter in Pongau” from 8:15 p.m. Afterwards, “Landleben” first celebrates “Mountain Christmas in Defereggental” (9:05 p.m.) and then spends “Winter in Wagrain and Kleinarl” (9:55 p.m.).
On Thursday, “Land der Berge” listens to the “Sound of Christmas in the Alps” on a musical journey at Christmas time along the enchanting wintry Tyrolean Pitztal (8.15 p.m.). With the documentary “Silent Night, Holy Night” (9:05 p.m.), “Land der Berge” then goes on a search for traces of the time and the inventors of the world-famous song.
“Culture Today” special edition for LICHT INS DUNKEL on Friday
On Friday, December 22nd, Ani Gülgün Mayr and Peter Fässlacher will be presenting a “Culture Today” special from 7:45 p.m.: The donation amount for the ORF III LIGHT IN THE DARK auction with works by well-known artists and numerous cultural packages, which took place via online auction in recent weeks, will be announced in this broadcast. The President of LICHT INS DARKEN Ines Stelling will accept the check. One of the institutions that will be supported with the auction proceeds is the “School in Dialogue”. 20 children and young people from the inclusive facility perform together with prominent musicians, drumming and singing Christmas carols. The show also introduces Martina Hela, who is currently staying in the Haus Döbling nursing home. The auction proceeds are intended to help them return to a self-determined life. This requires personal assistance and a barrier-free apartment.
“zeit.geschichte” premiere “Kaisermühlenblues: The history of the cult series”
A new production will follow in the footsteps of Austrian TV history on Saturday, December 23rd, at 8:15 p.m.: In the documentary “Kaisermühlenblues: The History of the Cult Series,” author Ernst Hinterberger describes the community building, the main setting of the TV format, starting from the community building Microcosm Kaisermühlen with a lot of love and feeling for the stories of the little people. The film shows unforgettable excerpts from 65 episodes of the production and lets audience favorites Gerald Pichowetz, Dorothea Parton, Christian Spatzek and director Harald Sicheritz have their say. Afterwards, another “zeit.geschichte” production deals with another cult format on Austrian television, “The Piefke Saga” (9:05 p.m.). The evening ends with the two-parter “From Wish You What to Wetten, dat..? – The big TV shows” (from 9:55 p.m.).
Christmas on ORF III: children’s service from Vienna; “Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir” in “Experience Stage”
On Sunday, December 24th, ORF III will broadcast a children’s service from the “Light of the Nations” chapel in the Seilerstätte in Vienna’s first district. Father Karl Wallner celebrates a contemplative mass with children for children and adults.
When the most famous boys’ choir in the world celebrates Christmas, it is something very special. From 11 a.m., “Experience Stage” will show the musical film “Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir”. Accompanied by short readings, the choir boys sing familiar and popular Christmas songs such as “Es ist ein Ros’ sprungen”, “Maria went through a thorn forest” and of course “Silent Night, Holy Night”.
Further details about the ORF III Culture and Information program are available at tv.ORF.at/orf3.