In September 2006, a new Miss Weather sat next to Michel Denisot and Ariane Massenet at the table Grand journalthe Canal+ talk show, a true successor to the legend Nowhere else. Her name is Ariane Bourgoin, but to avoid confusion with her friend and because she likes the artist Louise Bourgeois, she opts for her middle name, Louise, as her media surname. The start of a great adventure.
How do you look back on these Miss Weather years, at a time when the place was only reserved for young and pretty women?
I wanted to be funny. I was given complete freedom, which amazes me in hindsight. I didn't have an author. Sometimes I left with only a camera operator, I participated in the editing when I made pastilles or imitated people. But I had no idea, I could sink, because I wasn't helped. I was only 24 years old. Fortunately I wasn't afraid, even if I had big belly flops. People only remember what worked.
Did you feel these belly flops?
We were in public and live, and people didn't laugh at all when they didn't understand the joke, so obviously I felt sick. And I couldn't sleep at night. I took it very personally and violently, because I put my whole heart into it. Now I tell myself that I was very hard on myself.
Could you make the same jokes today?
Not all. Perhaps I wouldn't dare to do them, because there's too much impact when we go on set. We had 2 million spectators, but there were no social networks. Knowing me, it would have inhibited me to see the reviews.
Would you like to do TV again?
I miss the sketches. I did it again for the 40th anniversary of Canal+, one with Benjamin Lavernhe, another with Jérôme Commandeur for imitations, we started again Guillaume's bonuses with Guillaume Gallienne… I really liked it and I would like to do more. There is no longer Le grand journal, but I am delighted to be able to redo pieces occasionally for broadcasts. A bit like Queen Valérie Lemercier, without comparing myself to her.
Are you still in contact with Michel Denisot?
Yes, in fact he released a book on the personalities who worked for Canal+, and he interviewed me. He is a very elegant person. He always thinks of my birthday, and my party. As well as another: I made the joke one day “if on Valentine’s Day, she holds your hand, can’t wait for Sainte-Marguerite”so he wishes it to me too (laughs).
