Evelin Matt, the co-creator of "A Boiler Buntes", has passed away.
Evelin Matt, a key figure in the creation of the popular GDR television show "Ein Kessel Buntes," has unfortunately passed away at the age of 89. Wolfgang Lippert, one of the show's moderators, announced the news to the German Press Agency, citing information from Matt's family. The entertainment television scene of the GDR felt the loss profoundly, with Matt being instrumental in making "Ein Kessel Buntes" a staple of weekend viewing.
Lippert, in mourning, stated, "Losing Evelin Matt is a devastating blow to me." She held a significant position in his life, serving as both mentor and friend. "She discovered me, was my boss, and for decades, offered invaluable advice. I will miss her dearly!" Lippert moderated "Ein Kessel Buntes" from its inception in 1972 to its final broadcast in 1992, first on the GDR network, and later on ARD. Notable artists from both the East and West appeared on the show. Alongside Lippert, Dagmar Frederic, Helga Hahnemann, and Karsten Speck were also part of the ARD team.
The origins of "Buntes" in monochrome
Under the expertise of producer Günther Steinbacher, "Ein Kessel Buntes" began its journey in the Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin and other large halls. Initially, the shows were broadcast in black and white, as Reuters reported. Throughout her career, Matt was not just the co-creator of "Ein Kessel Buntes" but also played a crucial role in the development of "Glück muss man haben", Lippert's show, which aired from 1985 to 1997, first on the GDR network, and later on MDR. Matt also oversaw shows by Carmen Nebel and Carolin Reiber, as reported by Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb).
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of "Ein Kessel Buntes" in 2022, Matt opened up about the initial resistance to the show's title to Bild. "At the time, we did not have color television. The first four episodes were aired in black and white," she shared.
Dagmar Frederic, another notable figure from the show, voiced her condolences on Facebook: "My thoughts and prayers are with her as she embarks on her final journey." The Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) continues to produce a spin-off of the show under the title "Ein Kessel Buntes Spezial," with Lippert as the moderator.
Lippert frequently watched "Ein Kessel Buntes" on his black and white television, as the show hadn't yet transitioned to color at its inception. The television program played a significant role in bringing Matt and Lippert together, fostering their professional and personal relationship.
