A wind of nostalgia seems to surround the French in these times when the express notoriety of social networks confers, through likes, the illusion of popularity. Tested by a year of multiple crises, we undoubtedly aspire to stability if we refer to our ranking. Thus, respondents give pride of place to reassuring, consensual and intergenerational figures who have accompanied the lives of the French for many years. Among them, Eddy Mitchell – “the boss” since Johnny’s departure – and Pierre Richard, 82 and 90 years old respectively, make a sensational entry into this ranking, in 20th place for the rocker, in 26th for the “Tall blond “.
The rest after this ad
Francis Cabrel (9th) and Michel Sardou (12th), with more than 80 years of career between them, remain at the top of the ranking. Christian Clavier “the Bronzed”, seems to have replaced de Funès in the costume of the popular comic actor, he progresses seventeen steps to rise to 23rd place. Finally, Brigitte Bardot comes back (51st), and misses by one step her return to the Top, the year of her 90th spring. Frédéric Dabi (Ifop) sees this inclination towards nostalgia as one of the major drivers of the era: “There is a form of “amélie-foaling” [en référence au film iconique de Jean-Pierre Jeunet, NDLR] of society, an outpouring of tenderness for a golden age. » This is also evidenced by the success of Comte de Monte Cristo (more than nine million entries), monument of French cultural heritage, brought to the screen by Pierre Niney. Result: the thirty-year-old actor progressed from 51st to 27th place. In the same vein, “Zorro” Dujardin (18th), a consensual and transgenerational actor, embodies a form of reassuring continuity for the French.
On the contrary, a “clearing wave”according to the expression of Frédéric Dabi, carries personalities indexed to ephemeral fashions or trends. PAF chefs are less popular with the French. The brawling Philippe Etchebest slides from 10th to 28th place, while Cyril Lignac slips from 14th to 29th place. The comics also have a drink. Dany Boon (19th) lost ten places in the ranking, Kad Merad fell from 25th to 45th place. Even the public’s weariness towards the singers most “seen on TV”: Grand Corps Malade (33rd) and Julien Doré (37th) take the slide, and what can we say about the nice Vianney who “is no longer there” in the Top 10 (16th). A disengagement which reflects the loss of influence of television in the homes of the French.
Singer Aya Nakamura, in 81st place
Study after study, they are gradually turning away from this medium, particularly young people who prefer social networks and platforms, but also thirty-somethings who no longer sanctify the “high mass of 8 p.m.”. The only survivor of TV shooting, Jean-Luc Reichmann, who jumped from 37th to 21st place, undoubtedly to the credit of his longevity but also of his increasingly recurring appearances in popular fiction. Cyril Féraud, despite his appearance as an ideal son-in-law, propelled by Slam and becoming the “king of Saturday evening” with 100% logic, may well be consecrated by his peers, he is still far from the Top, at the 70th step.
Finally, having embodied one of the major events of the year is not enough to leave an indelible trace of sympathy or notoriety in public opinion. The singer Aya Nakamura, whose performance alongside the Republican Guard during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, burst onto the screen, is in fact the best-known French-speaking artist in the world. international, but the French only rank it in 81st place in our barometer, behind the communist François Roussel and ahead of the first lady Brigitte Macron. “There’s no way yet Dja Dja…”
