Heino Threatens to Walk Off TV Shoot Over Gender-Neutral Language

Schlager singer Heino is back in the headlines after another tirade against gender-neutral language. On the set of the TV pilot project “Die Rettungsschwimmer vom Wörthersee” the 87-year-old reportedly threatened to walk away immediately because the working title used gender-inclusive language with a gender colon (“Die Rettungsschwimmerinnen vom Wörthersee”).

“It is well known that I am not in favor of gendering, because in my view it ruins our beautiful German language,” Heino told “Bild.” “Therefore I would never take part in a project that uses gendered language. Especially not one where the film title is kept in gendered language.”

Heino: If language is gendered, my scenes must not be used

The Schlager singer could initially be appeased when told that the title was only a working title. But he set a condition: “If it stays that way, I insist that my already shot scene in the film not be used at all.” He also would not sing the title song as previously planned. “I hope the producer has come to her senses,” the pop star said.

Producer Stefanie Mayer told the boulevard tabloid that she understands Heino’s view “but in my film there are also women and LGBTQ people playing roles.” For this reason she changed the working title. She hinted that she wants to have the last word: “For which title I ultimately decide, I want to keep open for now.”

Series with Julian F. M. Stoeckel in the lead

In “Die Rettungsschwimmer(:innen) vom Wörthersee” is an Austrian mockumentary and workplace comedy that follows the chaotic daily life at a water-rescue station on Lake Wörthersee, told in a faux-documentary style. It is a spoof and homage to RTL’s 34-episode series “Ein Schloss am Wörthersee” with Roy Black and Uschi Glas (1990-1993).

At the center of the “Lifeguards” is the eccentric and ambitious head of the rescue station (played by Julian F. M. Stoeckel), who tends to stage dramatic, spectacular large-scale operations out of minor mishaps. So far it is not known on which network or streaming service the series will be shown.

Heino had already long made clear his aversion to gender-inclusive language. In 2023, he said on Sat.1’s breakfast TV when asked about the topic: “They’ve stuffed their brains with it, just like we say in the Rhineland. I don’t stand by it at all” (TheColu.mn reported).