Wednesday evening, Quebec comedian Sugar Sammy, known for his sharp and often provocative humor, criticized the city of Saint-Étienne during the show La France a un incredible talent on M6. Hélène Ségara, member of the jury alongside the comedian, defended the city, as did the president of the Loire department, Georges Ziegler.
“I wondered what happened, and then I saw that you come from Saint-Étienne. So everything explains itself.”
“It's a hole“
Faced with this pike, Hélène Ségara, visibly outrageddid not hesitate to defend the city: “What do you have against Saint-Étienne?“, she retorted. To which Sugar Sammy replied: “It’s a hole.”
An immediate response from the Stéphanois
This statement did not go unnoticed, particularly by city and department officials. Georges Ziegler, president of the Loire department, quickly reacted on social networks.
In a tweet, he invited the comedian to come back and discover Saint-Étienne and the department, which he had already visited in 2018 as part of a burlesque arts festival.
This is not the first time that Sugar Sammy has attacked the city of Saint-Étienne. In 2020, he already made a similar remark, comparing a performance he didn't like to a “erotic dance in Saint-Étienne on a Monday morning“, which had already annoyed many residents.
Humor or disrespect?
Sugar Sammy is known for his humor which often targets cultural stereotypes or regional rivalries. His jokes aim to provoke reactions and test the limits of self-deprecation. Has he crossed the line, confusing provocation and denigration?
Hélène Ségara, lawyer from Saint-Étienne
In this exchange, Hélène Ségara supported Saint-Étienne. Accustomed to lively exchanges on set, she showed a sincere attachment to the city, reminding us that jokes can sometimes be hurtful and cross the line.
For the moment, Sugar Sammy has not responded directly to Georges Ziegler's invitation, but this episode will perhaps be an opportunity for him to rediscover the assets of the city and the Loire department.
France
