This evening, TF1 rekindles a flame. With a tribute evening to Club Dorothée, the cult show that marked the 1990s, the channel is celebrating an era when Wednesdays and Saturdays were synonymous with unmissable events for millions of young viewers.
More than a simple program, Club Dorothée mixed cartoons, variety shows, games and sketches in an atmosphere that was intended to be joyful and unifying. Hosted by Dorothée and her team – Jacky, Ariane, Corbier and Patrick – the show has left an indelible mark on French television, with impressive records, controversies and unsuspected talents.
1 A show of phenomenal scale
Broadcast on TF1 from 1987 to 1997, Club Dorothée was more than a simple youth show. At its peak, it attracted several million viewers each week, sometimes reaching audience records with more than 50% market share. The program was accompanied by significant merchandising, including derivative products, concerts – including several at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy – and a membership card which had up to 700,000 registered members.
With nearly 30 hours of weekly broadcasting to its credit, Club Dorothée offered diverse content, alternating popular Japanese cartoons like Dragon Ball et The knights of the zodiac and humorous, musical and interactive sequences. Wednesday, the flagship broadcast day, became a central event for young viewers, consolidating the show's place as a pillar of TF1's programming.
2 Controversies over Japanese anime
Despite its success, Club Dorothée has not escaped controversy, particularly with the introduction into France of still little-known Japanese cartoons. Ken the Survivor attracted strong criticism for its fight scenes deemed violent, despite censorship by TF1. For his part, Dragon Ball was singled out for inappropriate content, mixing violence and moments deemed inappropriate for a young audience.
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Some controversies have even led to the withdrawal of series. Muscleman was thus deprogrammed after complaints regarding the character Brocken Jr., displaying a symbol similar to a swastika – it was in reality a Buddhist swastika, a common symbol in certain Asian cultures. At the same time, public figures like Ségolène Royal denounced the show, deeming it unsuitable for young people. These controversies led to several calls to order from the Superior Audiovisual Council (CSA).
3 Jean-Luc Azoulay, the man behind the show
Few people know it, but behind the success of Club Dorothée hides a man: Jean-Luc Azoulay, co-founder of AB Productions. Author of Dorothée's songs under the pseudonym Jean-François Porry, he was also the screenwriter of numerous cult series such as Helene and the boys.
The show also saw unexpected celebrities pass through. Antoine de Caunes, a harsh critic of the program, had himself contributed to certain cartoon credits under the pseudonym Paul Persavon. Furthermore, figures like Julien Lepers or Jean-Pierre Foucault have made notable appearances over the years.
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