With a 30-year career under his belt, Sellig, born Gilles Magnard, is one of the most popular comedians in France. His shows make fun of everyday situations, such as Sundays, highway trips, or shopping in furniture stores. The artist reaches a wide audience, from 7 to 77 years old, and still takes great pleasure in this discipline which imposed itself on him when he was planning a career as a chef. Interview before his show at the Zinga Zanga hall, this Friday, December 6.
You were planning a career as a chef in Lyon, how did you become a comedian?
It was a coincidence, I was in the right place at the right time… At the end of the 90s, I did sketches in café-theaters in Lyon, just for fun, I never thought I would make a career out of it . The show “Graines de star” traveled across France looking for talent and they spotted me. At first I wasn't interested, then a year later they came back and insisted. My friends encouraged me, I went and won twice. Anne Roumanoff, whom I met at festivals, offered to produce and direct me. I hesitated then finally I resigned and followed him. I can never thank her enough.
Your shows depict banal everyday situations, and in “Episode 6” you notably evoke the behind-the-scenes of the kitchen. Why did you wait so long?
When I was a cook, we were shouted at, or hit, it was rough. By coming to the kitchens of my friend Anne-Sophie Pic, I discovered that there was no denigration or mistreatment, it made me want to talk about my experience, when I was 13 and that I was terrified of leaders who looked like naval instructors. In this show, I also talk about Christmas and my experience on dating sites, a world that is both frightening, fascinating, funny and stupid at the same time, which I discovered when I became single at 50.
How do you go about writing your shows?
It's very strange because I don't remember writing the previous ones. In fact, I accumulate ideas about what I'm experiencing, and from there, I create a story around it. Once you have the idea, you have 80% of the sketch, then you have to embroider around it, work the tricks, fuel the comedy around the idea.
You also write novels, you're on your 7th, what does that bring you?
Sketch writing is very lively, like a sniper. The novel allows me to relax my mind, it's much calmer. I write a lot on tour, rather than brooding. I write all the time.
Did you have to work on this talent for facial expressions and sound effects?
Everything is natural, I was already a clown as a child, I made the class, the family laugh, with nothing, a towel on my head, by imitating the neighbor… etc. Comedian, we are or we are not.
DWhere does this sense of observation come from?
Since I was little, my grandfather, who raised me, taught me to observe the details that others don't see and to make people laugh but never at the expense of people. From there, I started picking up on details and now I instantly see the comedic potential in a situation. I was also nourished by Louis de Funès and Bourvil, who taught me how to make people laugh without speaking. I have a sense of humor that doesn't offend, it's family-friendly, popular.
While nowadays, current events are increasingly present in comedy shows…
It remains entertainment, with modesty and kindness. I don't like to make fun in life so I'm not going to do it on stage. And in the room there are children, elderly people, it's family. Many parents thank me for being able to take their children to the show without having to explain the sketches to them.
Do the spectators suggest situations to you?
They suggest some to me but I've already experienced them, it's the advantage of not being recognized, or famous. I'm in the metro in Lyon, in supermarkets, Christmas markets, I'm experiencing the same situations as them.
You are from the same generation as Bruno Salomon, Jérôme Commandeur, yet you have slipped under the media radar a little, but isn't it a privilege, today, to maintain your anonymity?
At 55 I would say it's a luxury, but when I was in my 30s I was frustrated. When I saw my friends like Jean Dujardin and Jérôme Commandeur on TV, I asked myself why them and not me? But today I see that it's a luxury, I don't have to hide, I can go and have a coffee in the city center without anyone identifying me.
