In an interview with Stéphan Bureau, Gad Elmaleh returned to his stories of plagiarism which shocked many Quebec comedians a few years ago. And for one of the first times, the Moroccan comedian who immigrated to France does not run away.
Gad Elmaleh finally admits it: yes, he “got” jokes from American comedians at the start of his career. But he refutes any allegation of plagiarism against Quebec comedians.
In an interview conducted in Paris two weeks ago, for the podcast ContactElmaleh responded transparently to Stéphan Bureau’s questions about the 2017 controversy.
Looking back, he recognizes that he should have acted differently and admitted his wrongs. “I had a responsibility. 20 years ago, when we started watching American stand-up and we caught [volait] jokes, yes, I should have said that happened.”
“Yes, we’re good; but these are concepts, words, it’s a waste [blague] which represents 0.5% of your work, he adds. […] Is it okay to do this? No. Did I do it? Yes.”
Strong discussion with Martin Matte
As for Quebec comedians – Louis-José Houde and Martin Petit had accused him, among others, of having plagiarized their material – Gad Elmaleh is categorical: all of this was “invented”.
“I would like to point out that none of these Quebec comedians who say that I took jokes from them have ever contacted me or sued me. We live in democracies with intellectual property that is respected. Me, if I’m robbed, and I know who robbed me, I’m going to see the cops.”
He adds that he discussed the situation with only one Quebec comedian: Martin Matte. “The others, I don’t know them personally. But he was my friend. We’re not close, but I still have a lot of respect for him. Because I heard him speak [de plagiat]I called him. We had a man-to-man discussion. It was quite muscular. I told him what I accused him of. He told me what he was accusing me of.”
A marketing stunt
Gad Elmaleh will come play at the Bell Center on December 11. What does he say about a Quebec establishment like the Bordel Comédie Club, which banned him from its location?
“For me, it’s not very well done marketing. If tomorrow I open a kebab shop on Boulevard Saint-Laurent and I say that Lady Gaga is not allowed in here, that will create publicity. […] Afterwards, I respect the Brothel, since I played there. It’s a great club and I love the friends who are there.”
“You should know that Quebec comedians, when they are in Paris, they come to see me with a lot of respect, a lot of affection, a lot of tenderness, a lot of kindness. Yes, even those who pointed at me.”
Gad Elmaleh is ready to bury the hatchet with Quebec comedians. “I am attached to Quebec because I took the first step there. […] If they really had humor, these comedians, we should make a joke of it and make a roast [bien-cuit] crazy. I’m open.” The invitation is extended.
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