Zur Person (1963)
The landmark German political interview series where Günter Gaus held candid, in-depth conversations with over 200 of Germany's most influential public figures across four decades.
Zur Person - Series Information
- Original Title: Zur Person
- First Air Year: 1963
- Last Air Year: 2004
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Talk
- Number of Seasons: 30
- Number of Episodes: 245
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Networks: ZDF, SWR Fernsehen, WDR Fernsehen, RBB Fernsehen
- Production Countries: Germany
- Alternative Titles: Deutsche (DE)
Zur Person - Plot
A German television format in which Günter Gaus interviewed prominent members of German society, particularly politicians. More than 200 interviews were conducted over the course of 40 years.
Where to Watch Zur Person
Looking for where to watch Zur Person?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Zur Person - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Günter Gaus
- Gerhard Schröder
- Herbert Wehner
- Franz Josef Strauß
- Rainer Barzel
- Willy Brandt
- Hans-Jochen Vogel
- Richard von Weizsäcker
- Ignatz Bubis
- Günter Grass
Zur Person - FAQs
What made Zur Person unique among political interview shows?
Zur Person stood apart through Günter Gaus's unhurried, deeply personal approach. Rather than chasing headlines, he drew out the private convictions and contradictions of Germany's most powerful figures, creating conversations that felt more like confessions than press briefings — a rarity in political television anywhere in the world.
Who was Günter Gaus and why did he matter?
Günter Gaus was a journalist, author, and diplomat who became West Germany's first permanent representative to East Germany. His intellectual depth and political insider knowledge made him an exceptionally credible interviewer, capable of engaging chancellors and union leaders as genuine equals rather than as a detached observer.
How long did Zur Person run on German television?
Zur Person ran for an extraordinary 40 years, from 1963 to 2004, across 30 seasons and 245 episodes. Broadcast on ZDF, WDR Fernsehen, SWR Fernsehen, and RBB Fernsehen, it outlasted multiple German governments and became one of the longest-running political interview formats in European television history.
Which notable figures appeared on Zur Person?
The guest list reads like a who's who of postwar German history: chancellors Willy Brandt and Gerhard Schröder, CDU leader Rainer Barzel, Bavarian statesman Franz Josef Strauß, author Günter Grass, and Central Council of Jews president Ignatz Bubis, among more than 200 prominent personalities interviewed over four decades.
Is Zur Person worth watching for non-German audiences?
For anyone interested in postwar European politics, Cold War history, or the craft of long-form interviewing, Zur Person is genuinely compelling. The conversations with figures like Willy Brandt and Richard von Weizsäcker offer rare, unfiltered windows into the minds that shaped modern Germany — invaluable primary source material dressed as television.
Where can viewers watch Zur Person today?
Streaming availability for Zur Person varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your country. Some episodes have also been archived by German public broadcasters and may be accessible through their respective media libraries online.
What networks originally broadcast Zur Person in Germany?
Zur Person aired across several major German public broadcasters over its four-decade run, including ZDF, WDR Fernsehen, SWR Fernsehen, and RBB Fernsehen. This multi-network presence reflected the show's national cultural significance and ensured it reached audiences across different German regions throughout its long history.
What are similar interview shows to Zur Person?
If Zur Person appeals to you, consider The Dick Cavett Show for its similarly thoughtful long-form conversations, or Neo Magazin Royale for a contemporary German perspective. Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis offers a deliberately absurdist counterpoint, while Hot Ones has revived the art of the revealing celebrity interview for modern audiences.
More About Zur Person
Explore further details about Zur Person on these authoritative sources.