The emblematic presenter of the "13 Hours" of TF1 was for the last time in his journalistic career at the helm of this institution.
His teams, personalities and many viewers paid tribute to him in this latest edition, which left the news for the emotion of this departure.
Clap of end on a life, or almost, "at the table of the French" every noon: Jean-Pierre Pernaut presented, Friday, his last
13 Hours
, the 7,000th since his debut in 1988 on TF1.
For the occasion, the news did not last half an hour, as usual, but about 1h20, before a special show on his career as a journalist and his routine as a presenter of the JT.
During this program, he passed the baton to Marie-Sophie Lacarrau, who will take the reins of the
13 Hours
on January 4.
Many surprises
Before this "transfer of power" at the head of this television institution, Jean-Pierre Pernaut experienced a last newscast particularly rich in various tributes.
Report in a family for whom Jean-Pierre Pernaut is one more guest at the lunch table, interview with the inhabitants of Quevauvillers, his village in Picardy, souvenir sequence with the other presenters of TF1 news, Gilles Bouleau and Anne-Claire Coudray… Many surprises have punctuated this special newscast, concluded with a few sobs in his voice.
LAST CLAP - The emotion, and tears at the mention of his mother who has never missed a single # JT13H on @ TF1 for 30 years, from @ pernautjp # MerciJeanPierre ⤵.
pic.twitter.com/OMHtPQkZDf
- TF1LeJT (@ TF1LeJT) December 18, 2020
Among the personalities who had a word for the 70-year-old journalist include Dany Boon, Mathilde Seigner, Amir, Romain Grosjean or even Jean-Pierre Foucault, who presents the Miss France ceremony, broadcast on Saturday evening.
The presenter's family also came to the stage to accompany him in these last moments on the air.
❤️ "I love you, I will never forget you."
Goodbye from @pernautjp, who leaves the keys to # JT13H on @ TF1 at @ MSLacarrau # MerciJeanPierre ⤵.
pic.twitter.com/VpMhLoDXK2
- TF1LeJT (@ TF1LeJT) December 18, 2020
A success that cannot be denied
After 4,500 hours of presentation of the
13 Hours
, according to the calculations of the chain, Jean-Pierre Pernaut leaves, he told Marie-Sophie Lacarrau, "a house in very good condition".
The success of the "taulier", as his colleagues at TF1 call him, cannot be denied: on Tuesday he still beat his audience record since April 2018 by attracting 5.9 million viewers, i.e. a share of audience at 45.8%.
Here is an excerpt from the VERY FIRST of 7.000 (!!!) # JT13H by @pernautjp on @ TF1 cc @ ACCoudray @ GillesBouleau.
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- TF1LeJT (@ TF1LeJT) December 18, 2020
From now on, Jean-Pierre Pernaut has "wanted another rhythm", as he justified it on Friday: he does not quit his career as a journalist, but has just launched jpp.tv, a platform which brings together reports on the France who made the recipe for this edition, far removed from the hot news.
He will also meet the viewers of the TF1 group on January 9, on LCI, with Jean-Pierre et vous, a new program based on interactivity with this figure of the French audiovisual landscape.