1990s
Beginning in 1991, he participated in productions of the theatre group Sparverein Die Unz-Ertrennlichen.
In 1992, Phettberg began writing the column "Phettbergs Predigtdienst" (Phettberg's sermon) for the weekly Vienna magazine Falter. The column is written in the form of a sermon, building upon the scripture passages for each respective Sunday in the Catholic liturgical year. After a health-related hiatus (see below), he resumed writing in early 2007. From November 12, 1994 and throughout 1995, he was the host of the ORF talk show Phettbergs Nette Leit Show, which featured interviews with primarily Viennese celebrities, scientists, and people from exotic occupation groups. The opening question for the guests, "Frucade oder Eierlikör?" (Frucade or eggnog) became well-known and was also used as the title of a book featuring excerpts from interviews during the show's run.
When ORF broadcast 19 episodes of the show from June 1995 to April 1996, Phettberg quickly gained fame with a larger audience in Austria as well as Germany and Switzerland, owing to his unconventional questions and the relentless presentation of his own problems, sexual phantasies, and celebration of gaps in his general education.
A draft résumé from 1999 translates as: "Am pornographer, columnist and wreck. Would like to talk."
Read more about this topic: Hermes Phettberg