INTERVIEW
For four years, Samuel Etienne has presented Questions for a champion , an emblematic program of general culture broadcast on France 3 since 1988. After 28 years of service, the flagship presenter of the program, Julien Lepers, had passed the torch to this presenter, with the mission stabilize audiences, which have been falling for many years. A challenge largely taken up by the young father, currently on paternity leave. He was Philippe Vandel's media guest on Monday.
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Samuel Etienne's objective was therefore to save a mythical program for several generations. Questions for a champion has experienced significant hearing loss. After a year at the helm, Samuel Etienne rose to his challenge and stabilized audiences. Since then, they have even been steadily increasing with an audience share of almost 12% on average in 2019. Last summer, the show even had its best audience score in seven years. So what is the recipe for its winning formula?
"My personality was expressed on the air"
"I changed a few things in mechanics, because you don't change an institution," says the presenter, much younger than his predecessor. "The changes mostly took place in terms of ambiance and style," he continues. "Julien had his own style and it was out of the question to make Julien Lepers, so I let myself be penetrated by the atmosphere. We must find the tone, the style", says the one who also presents the morning show on the channel USAinformations.
"My personality was expressed on the air. I have a humor for two cents, I love to bounce on rotten puns, it's my style. It makes the candidates laugh, it distresses them also, and obviously the viewers like it. So yes, the show relaxed, "says Samuel Etienne.
"It smiles, we laugh"
This benchmark general knowledge game, known to be the hardest in France, seems to be more accessible thanks to its new presenter. "It's a very hard game. For those who watch and who don't have this level, can they have a good time anyway? Today that's what we did, the 'objective is fulfilled ", assures the presenter. "There is the spectacle of knowledge and culture, but in addition, even if we are not a champion in culture, we still have a good time because it smiles, we laugh", says Samuel Etienne.
With 1,420,000 viewers on average this season, the presenter's objectives have been largely achieved.
Why Samuel Etienne will no longer return to Fort Boyard
After five appearances on the show, Samuel Etienne announced on Europe 1 that he would no longer go to Fort Boyard. "It's over because I'm the ideal candidate: I give everything and I'm Pierre Richard, I'm the most clumsy guy in the world," jokes the man who broke three ribs on the set. "That's why they invite me, but edition after edition, I hurt myself a little more. So I say to them 'Thank you for everything, we had a good time, but I think for me it's finished '", quips the presenter of Questions for a champion .