What made you want to create a one-man-show?
I’ve always been a bit indecisive… At first, I didn’t even want to do radio or television. But when I do commit to something, I go all in. Then there were the reactions from the audience, the listeners asking, “When are you doing a show?” It made me realize there was a real desire to spend more time with me, beyond just four minutes on air. People like Dany Boon and Gad Elmaleh also told me, “Don’t miss out on the emotion of performing live.” And when you talk to me about emotion, you get my attention. I thought to myself, nothing can replace that and I had never experienced it. For years, I went to see their shows, as well as Foresti’s, thinking, they’re incredible. And eventually, with all the encouragement, I took the leap. Time passes you don’t want to miss out on something like that.
So we have to ask… was it a good idea? (Laughs)
I genuinely asked myself that. It’s a big commitment: three years on tour, putting your life on hold. There are so many people involved production, my family, my wife, my friend Laurent… I thought, what if I don’t like it? What if I disappoint people? What if it feels like a long tunnel? But actually, not at all. I’m very happy on stage impatient, even. People show up, they organize themselves, get a babysitter, come spend an hour and a half with me… It creates a sense of responsibility, but also an incredible energy.
How did you come up with the title, which is both funny and intriguing?
The title has a double meaning… and I promised myself I would never explain it in interviews. Because when it’s revealed on stage, towards the end of the show, something happens: a silence, then a kind of collective reaction from the audience. A moment of stunned surprise that I absolutely love. So if you want to understand it… you’ll have to come and see the show.
What does the stage give you that television doesn’t?
I’ve always had a lot of freedom in my writing, both on radio and TV that’s essential to me. But on stage, it’s different. You’re in a bubble. The audience is there for you they enjoy your “flavor,” your style. So you can push things further. And above all, there’s a real connection. On radio or TV, sometimes you have guests who aren’t that interested. Here, it’s the opposite: people come specifically to share a moment with you. They’ve known you for years and finally, you meet them.
Humor is at the heart of your work. How do you choose your subjects, and how would you describe your style?
To me, humor is like a big buffet. There’s sweet, savory, sometimes even a bit of bitterness. I like having all those flavors, all those tones in a show. There’s a lot of dark humor sometimes sharp & provocative, sometimes uncomfortable. I enjoy that. But I also like bringing in emotion. What probably defines me most is using dark humor on serious topics. Laughing at things you’re not supposed to laugh at. Because it’s forbidden and that’s what makes it so liberating.
With this show, did you want to reveal a more personal, more intimate side of yourself?
It happened quite naturally. Speaking for five minutes in a daily segment already feels a bit pretentious so asking people to spend an hour and a half with you… But the feedback from audiences shows that we’re offering something they didn’t expect and that they’re happy to discover. I remember hearing someone in a restaurant say, “I’ll have that, because I don’t know it.” And I think that’s so true. We tend to choose what we already know, but being surprised that’s the real pleasure. I think that’s what we’ve managed to create: something unexpected, but genuinely enjoyable.
On RTL, your tone is sharp, offbeat, and delightfully incisive. How do you find the right balance?
It really depends on who I’m facing. A joke is always a gamble you never know. And despite what some “experts” say, the only thing I know is that I don’t know. I get it wrong every day. Some jokes work on radio but not on TV, others work on stage… it’s very mysterious. Over time, I’ve also learned to understand my guests better. For example, with François Hollande, I know I can go quite far he has a sense of humor. I used to feel uncomfortable when a guest didn’t laugh. Now, much less. Because the audience understands. A lack of self-deprecation says a lot about someone. At the end of the day, I just try to say something smart, with energy, a smile… and enjoy it. Because I see it as a small but important moment in people’s day. I’m a bit like their morning coffee. (Laughs)
What are your upcoming projects?
With Laurent Vassilian, we’re already thinking about writing a play after the tour. We don’t know the subject yet, but we want to stick to the kind of humor we love something that provokes, that unsettles, that makes the audience react. As a spectator, I love those moments where you think, “He didn’t just say that…” That kind of boldness really appeals to me.
What would you like to wish to LiFE Magazine readers?
For those who already know me, I hope they’ll want to come see the show or come back. And for those who don’t know me yet, I hope they’ll feel like discovering my work. Because what I love most is the connection. In the morning, I speak to a million people from a studio… without seeing them which is probably a good thing. (Smiles) But today, what I enjoy the most are those moments when I meet them in real life. Something truly special always happens.
