Jean-Pierre Foucault is an essential figure in the French audiovisual landscape, particularly after his 16 years at the helm of Who wants to make millions?. But no one expected to see him in a television drama. However, this Saturday at 9:05 p.m. on France 3, the host will embody Marc Valenci, an architect in love In Murders on the Blue Coast. A role proposed by producer Christophe Koszarek, with whom he shares a long friendship.
“When I was 20, he hired me at RMC”he says in the latest issue of Parisian published this Saturday. And it was without hesitation that the person who shares Evelyne’s life accepted the role, not without having obtained the agreement of TF1. “If they had told me no, I would have refused,” explains the one who has been loyal to the channel since 1987.
Jean-Pierre Foucault helped by the son of a famous actor
The filming took place a few kilometers from his house from Carry-le-Rouet, which allowed Jean-Pierre Foucault to go to the set before even starting to shoot. In the columns of our colleagues, he admits to having embarked on this adventure with an almost childish curiosity, although with a certain apprehension. The one who recently confided in the assassination of his father had to face several challenges. “Since my schooling, I had not learned by heart”he confides. A difficult ordeal for him, even a “torture“, to the point of questioning his decision to participate in the TV film.
Fortunately, to overcome this difficulty, production assigned him a coach: Alexandre Thibaultactor known for his role in A wonderful family and son of the late Jean-Marc Thibault. “At first, it seemed impossible to him. He was very anxious. We both created a bubble of trust. He really wanted to learn and do well.”testifies the actor in the pages of Figaro.
Not very satisfied with his performance…
Jean-Pierre Foucault, who is currently recovering from an eye problem, spent several nights rehearsing his text. An experience that allowed him to break away from his role as presenter. “For the first time, in my fifty-year career, I am not playing the role of Jean-Pierre Foucault”he rejoices. “I have sometimes been criticized for being sympathetic. There, I didn’t have my sacrosanct smile on my lips and, for once, I could bring a little more thought to the sense of play and comedy.”
But although he took up the challenge, Jean-Pierre Foucault nevertheless remains mixed about his performance. When watching the TV film, he admits to having difficulty ignoring his own image. “When I watch the TV movie, I always see Jean-Pierre Foucault“he admits, bluntly. Despite his efforts, his status as an emblematic host and his recognizable tone of voice will perhaps not allow viewers to completely forget who he is…