Guildo Horn und his Guests

17.07.2006

Television in the UK ignores disabled people. This is the result of a report made by TV watchdogs. And even though Tessa Jowell, a British culture secretary, has backed a call from TV viewers for greater representation of people with handicaps nothing has happened yet. Maybe those responsible could take a look over the British channel and switch on the telly 18th July in Germany. The public German TV channel SWR broadcasts a chat-show with mentally disabled people. The host is Guildo Horn, a singer who performed at the Grand Prix d' Eurovision in Birmingham in 1998. REHACARE.de spoke to the man known in Germany as a real strange guy about the show and his motives.

REHACARE.de: You are going to present a chat show on TV with mentally handicapped guests starting the 18th of July. Who came up with this idea and how did it develop?

Guildo Horn: The program is the result of many years of work with learning-disabled, as well as mentally and multi handicapped adults and a dinner with Frank Elstner (a German entertainer). He and I have talked non-stop and suddenly the idea was born.

REHACARE.de:Do you know of similar projects from other countries?

Guildo Horn: No. Up to now mentally disabled persons appear on television only as people who need help. That way we can celebrate our altruism at the expense of this society group. Of course, this can also be right in order to acquire money for support and so on. However, this does not reflect reality since people with a mental disability can more and, in addition, they have a right for an own platform where they can present themselves as independent adults.

REHACARE.de: What is the show exactly about? What are you and your guests goint to talk about?

Guildo Horn: "Guildo and his guests" is not supposed to be a program that must constantly discuss the subject handicap. However, we will also not avoid this topic. Otherwise, my guests and I will speak about topical subjects that happened during the week, and, in addition, we will talk about everything that affects us. Whether football, doping, unemployment, love, forearm moisture. Most importantly, we will have a lot of fun with each other.

REHACARE.de: How many guests will be present? Who will be your guests and where do you get the contacts?

Guildo Horn: Some guests I still know from my work at Lebenshilfe Werkstätte Trier (a facility for handicapped people). Two other guests, Klaus and Carlos are members of Tabuwta (a German music group that is made up of disabled musicians) and we have casted the others within the last weeks.

REHACARE.de: How many broadcastings are planned?

Guildo Horn: The SWR (a public German TV-channel) plans four shows beginning July 18th. And then we will see. It is a real pilot project and so nobody knows how it is going to work out. This makes the whole story especially exciting and interesting. We have been working on this broadcast for the last few months with a wonderful team and we are aware, how special and pleasant this task is. Above all, we want to give our guests a pleasant first time in the world of TV.

REHACARE.de: Why were you asked to present this talk-show?

Guildo Horn: Well, it is my concept, therefore, this was never a question. I am a certified pedagogue and from early childhood as well as through the work of my mother I have been in touch with mentally and multi-disabled adults. The contact with these people is quite natural for me. This is also the basis in order to present such a format what I have never done before. So this is my first time as a presenter and I'm looking forward to it.

REHACARE.de: Is there not enough talking going on? Why do we need just this chat show?

Guildo Horn: Exactly because there is so much talk going on and I don't mean the countless afternoon parts. It is time for authentic people to get a chance to speak.

REHACARE.de: Why are you so committed to persons with a handicap?

Guildo Horn: I like people who do not hide their feelings but demonstrate them and their thoughts openly and who are not constantly busy to look like the average. In this point, us "normal” people can learn from "disabled”. Over and over again it is amazing for me how educated people with a doctor's degree sit in well-known political TV formats and talk so much but only say little. This does certainly not happen with my guests.

REHACARE.de: You are a singer and your songs are very fun-oriented. Have you made handicaps a central theme in your songs?

Guildo Horn: No, I do not want this at all. I don't want to talk a lot about this issue in the chat show. You won't ask a guest at "Christiansen” (a German political talk show) about his uric acid level.

REHACARE.de: Are there any other projects which you plan with handicapped people in the future?

Guildo Horn: Right now I am happy with this great program and around Christmas time I will perform a concert with Tabuwta.

REHACARE.de: You are a certified pedagogue, singer, musical actor, scholarship ambassador, crazy bird of the year, world championship ambassador for Rhineland the Palatinate in 2006 and soon presenter on SWR. How is it that your life is so many-sided?

Guildo Horn: I am interested in a lot of things and have chosen my occupation because I can let off steam. Every day being occupied with the same duties - that is for me and I also do not need to fulfil my own stereotype. That does not mean that I am airy-fairy with some things. If I have decided on a project then I work for it with skin and hair.

REHACARE.de

- More information on Guildo Horn at: www.guildo-horn.com