Hallo aus Berlin

Rolli and Rita

Rolli Schmidt, age 15, and Rita Weiß, age 14, are the teenage hosts of the series, appearing in each episode with a sketch and a song. Rolli is also featured in the show’s opening titles. When the series first aired in 1996, the characters were considered cutting-edge. The independent production company Baxter Hobbins Slides created a custom 3D motion-capture system to bring them to life. Actors wore suits fitted with motion sensors, and their movements were transferred onto 3D computer models. A real-time wireframe version of each character was generated first, then skin and clothing were added. For lip movements, the actors’ actual lip motions were recorded against a blue screen and applied to the models. Later, the sketches were re-dubbed into French for Quinze Minutes Plus (as Juju et Juliette) and into Spanish for Revista (as Julio y Julia). One particular sketch, known among fans, was cut from the episode "Unser Berlin" because it clashed with the episode’s tone. In it, Rita gets a pimple breakout, and Rolli gives her a remedy that causes surreal hallucinations and turns her skin green. The segment was removed due to concerns it could be seen as promoting drug use, and because the characters were portrayed as older than the typical age for acne. Despite being dropped from the original broadcast, the sketch aired on both Quinze Minutes Plus and Revista. Rolli was voiced by Fredrick Ruth (credited as Frido Ruth), and Rita by Nina Hamm. Rita’s singing voice was provided by Christina Fry, a professional actress, singer, comedian, and writer.