We listened to the performances of the radio hosts taking their first steps in their new costumes this Monday.
6 o’clock on Europe 2: Benjamin Castaldi, the breakfast friend
“That’s it, we’re ready, we’re here.” Shortly before 6am, the rapid-fire delivery of Benjamin Castaldi (54 years old) resonates on Europe 2. And it starts with a compliment to his sidekick Marie Solis, accompanied by Fabien Delettres: “How pretty you are in red. But we’re on first name terms, we’re like a big family.” For his return to daily radio with “Casta réveil la France” (6am-10am), the former member of the “Touche pas à mon poste” gang on C8 is in great shape!
At 6 o’clock, he confirms: “What a joy to be with you to wake up together. We’re going to have fun, learn.” He repeats it several times, “we’re going to do this show together. Call us.” And suggests to listeners that they help “Inspector Casta” get to know his sidekicks better. It’s up to them to ask them questions.
Between news flashes, musical titles, Marie’s tips (a mosquito repellent recipe), a pseudo-report on a nudist cruise ship by Fabien and subjects used as pretexts for anecdotes or to involve anonymous people (the French and tips, the link between first names and intelligence, etc.), the presenter takes his time.
The new breakfast friend laughs when we play a few extracts of sounds captured off-air, notably during rehearsals where he explains: “I could never do naturism because I have a complex about the size of my penis.”
The gang also laughs with Michel Drucker, 60 years of career and godfather of the show. “My television dad”, says Castaldi. “I have become a vestige”, retorts the historical face of the PAF. “It’s the Lascaux of television” continues his protégé. Later, it is Jean Reno who intervenes by telephone. Good humor is in order, without fuss.
7:42 a.m. on France Inter: everything is going well for Patrick Cohen
“Welcome back!” On this first day back at school, Nicolas Demorand, the morning host of France Inter, warmly welcomed the “great return” of Patrick Cohen to the airwaves of the public station. This “familiar voice” to listeners, who presented this same morning show from 2010 to 2017, is now in charge of the political editorial at 7:42 a.m., replacing Yaël Goosz, now audible in the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. news, whom Nicolas Demorand also made a point of greeting on air.
Radio is clearly like riding a bike; you never forget it. For his first time, Patrick Cohen delivered a dense and smooth piece, despite a fast delivery. With his characteristic style, he discussed the impact of the Olympic Games on French society and the political season. “Welcome back once again, Patrick,” concluded his new boss, Nicolas Demorand.
An arrival that Matthieu Noël mentioned in his own way a few moments later. The comedian mocked his new colleague’s legendary appetite, not hesitating to bring up the “collateral damage” caused by his recruitment. “With his bulimia for information, Patrick pecked Yaël Goosz in passing. Sorry, I thought it was a samosahe declared to the investigators,” the morning show troublemaker joked, nevertheless welcoming the “return among his own people” of his former accomplice from “C à vous”.
9:45 a.m. on France Inter: Charline Vanhoenacker still incisive
Another comeback in this first morning show of the Inter season, that of Charline Vanhoenacker, now scheduled every day at 9:45. To “help” Nicolas Demorand “to manage a group with strong personalities”, warned the comedian, who is coming off a season disrupted by the Meurice affair. “I have acquired experience in this area. For example, I can tell you the route from your office to the management office”, she offered to the journalist, who thanked her for this “precious” tip.
Evoking with acidity the French political rentrée, the Belgian comedian then sketched Léa Salamé, and her hosting of “Quelles Jeux!” this summer. “We discovered that Léa was keen on athletics, taekwondo, canoeing-kayaking,” mocked Charline Vanhoenacker.
Before throwing at him: “Until now, the only sporting feat you had commented on was Carlos Ghosn’s escape from the trunk.” A scathing reference to the criticized interview of the former Renault boss by the Inter journalist, in 2020. “Below the belt!” Nicolas Demorand reacted with amusement. “Are you happy to see me again?” retorted the comedian. And I’m here every day.”
12 o’clock on France Bleu: Valérie Damidot dynamites lunch
With her sequined jacket and summer tan, Valérie Damidot is “so happy to be here”. As soon as she sits down at the microphone of France Bleu, she asks Éric Bastien, her partner: “Have you planned a choreography? A piece of music?” It will come. As promised by the title of the station’s new game, offered from Monday to Friday at noon, the host known for her decoration shows is “Au taquet!” – the name of this format – and does not miss an opportunity to laugh.
Right from the introductions with the first candidates of the year, she lets loose. Sébastien collects (real) locomotives, including one he called Georgette? “It’s better than a guy who has a limo!”, enthuses the host, overjoyed to learn that her “kitten” is, like her, a friend of animals and has a pet shrimp named Cassandra. The next moment, she chants “Beattle Juice! Beattle Juice!” upon discovering that Émilie, a property caretaker in the south of France, has notably taken care of Tim Burton.
To play, listeners compete on sometimes improbable general knowledge questions. Like: “In Paris, every year, an average of 650 people end up in hospital after slipping on dog poop. True or false?” or “How many times does Patrick Bruel say break the voice in the song?
At every musical break, Valérie Damidot lets loose. After the soundtrack of “Grease”, a song by MC Solaar and “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, when Aretha Franklin is about to sing “Respect”, she warns: “I can climb on the table”.
“This is just the beginning, soon she’ll be doing cartwheels,” promises columnist La Bajon. “I hope you’re enjoying your races and wriggling your little asses on the sand for those lucky enough to be on vacation,” Valérie Damidot continues, under the gaze of her partner, who can be guessed to be worried. “They’re not used to it,” says Éric Bastien. With an hour of daily programming, that too will come.
4 p.m. on France Inter: Matthieu Noël in XXL
Double dose of “Zoom Zoom Zen” on France Inter. This Monday, Matthieu Noël presented for the first time the new version, extended by one hour, of his afternoon show (4 p.m.-6 p.m.). After a first part on “cat women” faithful to the spirit of last season’s program, the host and his band launched a second hour promising “a laughing analysis of current events.”
And the bet was generally kept. While the team certainly discussed seriously the difficult formation of the new government alongside the communicator Gaspard Gantzer, it especially took advantage of it to multiply the comical sidesteps, including on serious subjects like the schooling of handicapped children. Chiseled launches of the host teasing his comrades around the table, chronicles of the new recruits, Marie de Brauer and Merwane Benlazar, still a bit stressed, the whole is rhythmic and promising. To be continued.
6 p.m. on RTL: Yves Calvi intensifies the debate
“I am particularly happy about this new appointment,” rejoices Yves Calvi, who after ten years of morning show, returns to “RTL Soir”, followed by the big debate “On refait le monde”. That is, two hours of daily broadcast during which he decodes the news of the day. At 6 p.m. sharp, he speaks first, before handing it over to Agnès Bonfillon, his partner, who presents the news.
“Still no white smoke at the Élysée, still no Prime Minister,” notes the journalist who then questions Karl Olive, Macronist MP for Yvelines: “Is the president aware of the seriousness of the situation? Are you going to respect the vote of the French?” The tone is serious, didactic, the questions pugnacious.
Immersive reports and guests “to understand everything” about national and international news complete the event. Impersonator Marc-Antoine Le Bret is also part of the show. The rest of the show is devoted to a debate with specialists. Today’s theme: “What is President Macron up to?” asks Calvi, who distributes the speaking time, before focusing on the dramatic situation in the Gaza Strip.
8 p.m. on RTL: Faustine Bollaert, natural and attentive
It’s been eight years since she last took the microphone on the airwaves. This Monday, at 8 p.m., Faustine Bollaert landed on RTL with “Héros”, and what she does successfully: listens to and highlights her guests. The promise: to discover “everyday heroes, men and women like all of us, who have touched the extraordinary” to “transport us, fascinate us, move us”.
“Our heroes are you,” summarizes the 45-year-old presenter before welcoming Arthur, the first child born from a gamete donation to have found his donor in France. At ease, the journalist does not hesitate to follow up with him, to ask the right questions, to give her opinion, to show her astonishment, her joy or even her anger, as this Monday to denounce the laws in force for DNA tests. She thus offers an hour of interview that is devoured without seeing the minutes pass.
