Hartz and sincerely: Elvis just a nickname?

Fan Favorite Answers Frequently Asked Question

Created: 07/03/2022, 20:59

By: Sina Koch

"Hartz and heartily": Elvis is a crowd favorite and is particularly celebrated among the fans.

But many a viewer wonders: is the cult resident really called Elvis?

Elvis, Katrin, Dagmar and Janine are among the cult residents of the Benz barracks in Mannheim*.

Since 2017, RTLZWEI viewers have been able to take part in their lives through the social documentary "Hartz und Herzen"*.

The program has numerous fans because of its authenticity and the interesting fates of the residents.

That's not surprising - because the likeable people of Mannheim openly show their everyday life as Hartz IV recipients.

One of them is the father of eight, Elvis.

After being born and raised in the Benz barracks, he moved back there in 2007 with his wife Katrin and their eight children.

But isn't his name Elvis?

In addition to the financial hardship as a Hartz IV recipient, the father of the family fought against his drug addiction for a long time*.

The RTLZWEI viewers experienced first-hand how the man from Mannheim went cold turkey and gave up drugs forever.

Since the viewers can't get enough of the charismatic Benz barracks inhabitant, Elvis now even has his own web series "Simply Elvis" on Facebook, which MANNHEIM24* has already reported on.

"Hartz and cordial": Elvis is a crowd favorite - and gets frequent fan visits

Despite many problems, Elvis always has a snappy joke on his lips and helps his neighbors wherever he can.

Since this is well received by the viewers, the Barackler with Croatian roots can look forward to many followers on his social media channels*.

But popularity also has its downsides.

Die-hard fans have known for a long time where the Benz barracks are in Mannheim and even know the addresses of their favorite "barackers".

In addition to unwanted mail and hate messages*, the residents of the Benz barracks often get visitors from fans in the former workers' settlement.

Again and again Elvis appeals to the fans to refrain from flying visits to the social district.

"Hartz and cordial": During a tour of the animal shelter in Mannheim - Elvis is asked for his real name

However, Elvis' fame does not only have negative sides.

In the 60th episode of "Hartz and cordially - day by day Benz barracks" he gets the opportunity to be shown around the animal shelter in Mannheim by an employee - a particularly nice experience for the animal-loving barrackler.

Of course, Elvis gladly accepted the invitation to the animal shelter.

After meeting Kangal "Pasha" and visiting the cat house, he goes to the reptile house.

There he meets another employee of the shelter.

And he asks a question that many a fan may have asked themselves: Is Elvis really called "Elvis"?

Hartz and cordial: Elvis is a crowd favorite in the Benz barracks © RTL2/ UFA SHOW & FACTUAL

"Hartz and cordially": Elvis answers frequently asked questions - not for the first time

When feeding the turtles, the employee of the animal shelter gathers all his courage and asks the TV celebrity bluntly: "Tell me: Is your name actually Elvis or is that just your nickname?" The audience favorite has to smile briefly at this question.

"No, that's really my name," Elvis replies to the nurse.

As strange as the question of his name may sound, the cult barrackler doesn't seem to be hearing it for the first time: "A lot of people ask me if that's my nickname," the father of eight continues.

His name would actually be associated with music legend Elvis Presley.

"My mother and my father were - back in the 70s - Elvis Presley fans," reveals the "Hartz und Herzen" favorite in the 60th episode.

His name is "a blessing and a curse at the same time".

(sik) *MANNHEIM24 is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.