A compilation of controversial extracts from the show “Take it or leave it” presented by Arthur is making the rounds on social networks. Viewed millions of times, this video rekindles criticism of behavior deemed sexist, despite the host’s justifications.
Uploaded on the social network
In this montage, Arthur is shown kissing a candidate by surprise, lifting the skirt of another or making suggestive comments about the physique of the participants.
These images, shot between 2004 and 2006, had already sparked controversy at the end of 2024, when journalist Alice Welter compiled them for the first time.
If their distribution had been temporarily slowed down by copyright claims, the new video amplified the debate and reignited criticism.
Arthur’s justifications
Questioned by Le Parisien at the end of December, Arthur defended his behavior by citing the context of the time: “The show was 40 minutes long, but the game mechanics were only half of it. We had to do a little daily one-man show. I was quite close to the candidates. Today, we could no longer animate in the same way.”
However, these explanations are difficult to convince. Many feminist associations and public figures consider this behavior unacceptable, whatever the temporal context.
The attempt to remove the videos through copyright flagging sparked a widespread online resistance movement, amplified by what some are calling the Streisand effect.
The media Liberation investigated the deletions and revealed that the reports came from Satisfaction Group, Arthur’s production company.
However, no direct evidence has been found to accuse a massive mobilization of lawyers, as some Internet users claim.
What possible sanctions?
Arcom, the French audiovisual regulator, cannot intervene because the programs in question are no longer broadcast. If they were still there, the regulator could contact the channel concerned directly.
For now, the extracts continue to circulate massively online, fueling a debate on Arthur’s behavior at the time of the show and their resonance in the current context.
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Arthur sexism Arthur controversy viral video sexism Arthur Take it or leave it controversy behavior Arthur show
