why this game was a real phenomenon in the late 90s

« Bip, Beep! » From 1998 to 2004, Vincent Lagaf'welcomed viewers of the bigdil on TF1, with this launch which has become cult. A line that the 65-year-old host is preparing to say again this Thursday, January 2 at 9:10 p.m. Carried by the same nostalgic wave which has already brought back to television shores The Right Price, The Weakest Link et A golden familythe legendary game returns to RMC story, barely dusted off.

Freely adapted from the American format Let’s Make a Deal, Le Bigdil made headlines for six years, bringing together some 6 million faithful every evening at 7 p.m. for a market share of almost 40%. Stunning scores, to make the competition pale, which earned it a golden 7 for best game show in 2000. It owed them in particular to its innovative, formidably effective mechanics, and to the delusions of its star presenter, accompanied for the first time of a virtual sidekick, the alien Bill.

Six seasons of crazy challenges

In the decor of an abandoned factory installed at studio 107 in the Plaine Saint-Denis, candidates chosen from the public had fun for 50 minutes picking up “dils” to win the gifts stored in the alien's saucer. stingy. Each show included five of these fun (quizzes, mime, etc.), sporting (kart racing, human table football) or totally eccentric challenges: finding pairs of socks in a running washing machine, carrying candles while passing fans without them turning off, eating and drinking upside down… The lucky winners could exchange their prizes for the mystery gift hidden behind a glittery curtain. The prize: cars, trips or crates of leeks!

As crazy as the events he helped to create, the very popular Vincent Lagaf contributed greatly to the success of the game. Dressed in costumes inspired by the character of the Mask by Jim Carrey, this extreme sports enthusiast could arrive by car or helicopter in the parking lot, where certain events were relocated. We also saw him jet-skiing, bungee jumping or even horseback riding before joining the irreplaceable Bill (played by actor Gilles Vautier), his gafettes (the young women who presented the gifts) and other emblematic characters of the show: The pan flute player Ramuncho, DJ Aspe, the clown Arsène and his sidekick Rabier.

Big wins, suspense, spectacle… the formula is full. But in 2003, the show was moved to 6 p.m. to make room for the daily Star Academy and saw its audiences fall. Exhausted by six vigorous seasons, Vincent Lagaf also asked to take a break, without thinking that it would drag on forever. After welcoming 11,000 candidates, offering 650 original games, distributing 15 million euros worth of gifts, The Bigdil stops in 2004.

We take the same ones and start again

To Discover

Kangaroo of the day

Answer

Since then, many have tried to bring her out of the closet. But if his return was announced several times on C8, it never materialized despite Vincent Lagaf's desire to come back. We had to wait until this Thursday, January 2 for it to be granted and The Bigdil finally arrives on RMC Story after 20 years of absence. Proof of its popularity: nearly 17,000 applications were received in 24 hours by the company Ah! Productions (Satisfaction), which now produces the show.

Its early fans will not be disoriented: this new version turns out to be almost consistent with the original formula, according to the wishes of its host, who takes over the microphone. The decor was thus recreated identically in the studios of the Cité du Cinéma in Saint-Denis, actor Gilles Gautier donned Bill's costume, and two new gafettes were recruited. In terms of new features, the show, whose duration is extended to 70 minutes, will be broadcast as a bonus and weekly. The participation of guests, such as Jeff Panacloc and Jean-Marc, Éric Antoine, Gérémy Crédeville and content creator Jhon Rachid, is also announced. Around thirty issues were recorded, including two special editions around skiing and the year 1998.