The show, which was produced at Studio Hamburg, was hosted by singer/songwriter/producer Rolf Zuckowski and TV hosts Carlo von Tiedemann and Sabine Sauer, who were assisted by clumsy Muppet-style full-body character Leopold the penguin. The special also featured appearances by comedian Otto Waalkes and singer Mary Roos. The show's final song "Lieder die wie Brücken sind" ("Songs That Are Like Bridges") featured a large children's choir made up of children from Hamburg, Jamaica, New York City, Tokyo, and Warshaw. Meanwhile, Uncle Traveling Matt could be seen again in the crowd, joining in song.