Nik Hartmann returns to the TV screen with “Adventurous”. He faces various challenges with comedian Claudio Zuccolini. In an interview, he reveals that he quickly reaches his limits.
Anyone who has ever been on a hiking tour with Nik Hartmann and his dog Jabba will not forget this experience so quickly. First, because the Zug native is a born storyteller and entertainer with a large dialect repertoire. And second, because you couldn’t walk five meters with Jabba without other hikers recognizing the TV dog and wanting to stroke it.
Now the 48-year-old is drawn across the border for the new TV baby “Adventurous” from 3+ with comedian Claudio Zuccolini. To be more precise, the opening broadcast is going to Istanbul. It’s not a normal see-sightseeing trip, it’s about overcoming challenges that TV production poses. And they have it all …
Quo vadis? In the first episode, “Adventurous”, Nik Hartmann and comedian Claudio Zuccolini end up in Istanbul.
3+
As it should be among hikers, we are by you. You left SRF and can now be seen with your new project on 3+. Have you missed the limelight?
No not at all. The most exciting part of my job is creating and manufacturing. The public is the thrill. This is the flavor that I like and that I don’t deny either. It doesn’t matter to me whether I’m active on the screen. My employer does, of course. We hope that this will attract the audience. I’ve already built something up in the last 20 years.
In «Adventurous» you have to face challenges. Who came up with the challenges?
The editorial office. That’s what is special about the show. I’m traveling to a place with Claudio Zuccolini and we don’t know what to expect there. It’s a gamble. And I like that very much. This is my first time producing the format, but I have given the production company a free hand. They are then allowed to do what they want – within the framework of what is legally permitted.
Which challenge challenged you the most?
The show is also about local traditions that we don’t know. In Sicily we met a family with a long tradition of puppetry. The son showed me his puppets and the museum. I then had to perform, give a monologue in old Italian, but I can’t even speak Italian. On the piazza in front of this puppet theater, I’ve been sweating blood again for a long time. Sometimes I reach my limit with simple things. We were traveling without a net or a false bottom.
Were there any nasty situations too?
No, it’s not a jungle camp. We don’t want to expose ourselves. We want to show what other people can do. That can also be something sporty.
For example?
Claudio had to belly dance in Istanbul. Of course it looks funny. But it’s also about a man showing a belly dance in front of the locals in an Islamic country. It has a cultural background that can be highlighted on television and that is entertaining.
‘Adventurous’ reminds me of Joko and Klaas with their challenges. Are you the Swiss version?
The fact that two people do something together on television existed long before Joko and Klaas. For example “Dick & Doof” or Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly) on the BBC.
It’s your first broadcast with your new employer. I imagine the pressure to be large.
Brutally! I wake up at night, I’ve never had that in 48 years. A lot depends on it, not only with my new employer, but also with the production company and Claudio Zuccolini.
Also fear of criticism?
No not that. Because that would mean that the show will be watched – and I hope so. We have never been able to cope with such a format in private television. But I have to say: In the SRF framework, I knew I would go hiking, take the dog with me and it would work. Now I dare to go out to sea. The few people who have already seen it give me great hope.
Has your family seen it yet?
My wife Carla sees the positives everywhere. After the first ten minutes she had tears in her eyes from laughing. Constantin, the eldest, said: Great, Dad, you are finally doing such a format. That is the family accolade.
What are your plans for 2021?
At CH Media, among other things, I am responsible for the musical formats. “Sing my song – the Swiss swap concert” has just started again and “Adventurous” is starting at the same time. We don’t plan very far in advance and first see whether the first four episodes of “Adventurous” are well received. I take the risk now. We work with a lot of rock’n’roll.
“Adventurous” can be seen every Monday at 8:15 pm on 3+.
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