Nearly three decades after its debut, the cultural impact of Polish music program “Disco Relax” continues to resonate, recently resurfacing with a story about one of its former hosts. The show, which premiered December 4, 1994, quickly became a cornerstone of Polish pop culture, showcasing the burgeoning disco polo scene and launching the careers of its charismatic presenters, including Tomasz Samborski, Violetta Szumigowska, and Małgorzata Werner. this article explores the lives and careers of Werner and Szumigowska, detailing their paths after departing the program and offering a glimpse into their present-day endeavors.
The first episode of what would become a Polish pop culture staple was filmed in a gym, and featured the band United as its inaugural guest. “Disco Relax” premiered on December 4, 1994, on the Polsat network. The show was primarily hosted by Tomasz Samborski, often alongside Violetta Szumigowska and Małgorzata Werner. The program’s debut featured clips from a 1992 concert at the Congress Hall, including a performance of “Mydełko Fa” by Marek Kondrat and Marlena Drozdowska.
A Crowd in Zakopane. She Even Reached for Her Phone. “I Quit.”
Before becoming a familiar face on the disco polo music program, Małgorzata Werner began her career appearing in films and television series. Her credits include roles in “Nic śmiesznego” (where she played a character with a good sense of humor), “Ajlawju” and “Dzień świra” by Marek Koterski, as well as “Pułkownik Kwiatkowski,” “Szamanka,” and “Szczur.” She also made appearances in popular shows like “Kasia i Tomek,” “Świat według Kiepskich,” “13 Posterunek,” “Lokatorzy,” and “Adam i Ewa.” Her striking looks – blonde hair and a prominent figure – often drew comparisons to Pamela Anderson from “Baywatch,” earning her the nickname “the Polish Pamela Anderson.”
Werner’s film work led to her joining “Disco Relax,” where she appeared from 1998 to 2001. Shortly after, she stepped away from the entertainment industry to focus on her family. Today, at 53, she is a grandmother. The show’s popularity reflected the growing appetite for domestic music programming in Poland at the time.
Unfortunately, she faced a serious health scare some time ago. It began with a loss of feeling in her left arm.
In 2022, she revealed to o2.pl what she had been doing for the 20 years since leaving television, explaining that she had pursued various business ventures.
As for Violetta Szumigowska, reports indicate she currently runs a cosmetics business in Warsaw.
