Oh, la la! The Oldies Steal the Show
So, gather around, ladies and gents, because this past Saturday, November 10, in the illustrious land of French television, it was a veritable triumph for the oldies! The classic comedy “La Grande Vadrouille”, directed by the legendary Gérard Oury way back in 1966, drew in an astonishing 4.73 million viewers. That’s right, a whopping 26.6% of the couch potatoes — I mean, the viewing public — parked themselves in front of France 2 for a dose of laughter and nostalgia! Who knew that watching two bumbling men attempt to evade capture during WWII could still resonate so deeply with the masses? It’s like a time warp that magically transports you to a world where no one worries about Wi-Fi signals or 4K resolution!
Contrast that with the modern flick “November”, which took a more serious tone, chronicling the harrowing investigations surrounding the November 13 attacks. It can’t hold a candle to the comedic antics of Bourvil and Louis de Funès, as it only mustered 4.23 million viewers. Clearly, there’s something about a good old-fashioned farce that lights a fire in the French heart — or perhaps it’s that watching history unfold in front of one’s eyes offers less escapism than a good slapstick routine!
Minions? More Like Min-ions!
Now, let’s pivot to the kids’ corner where the competition got a bit… well, childish. Over on TF1, “Minions 2: Once Upon a Time Gru” tried its best to entertain, but only managed a rather sad turnout of 2.18 million viewers (11.7% market share). It seems the little yellow guys in blue overalls are falling short in comparison to the likes of Bourvil and Funès. Maybe the Minions need to brush up on their physical comedy — you know, a bit of pratfall here, a banana slip there? Whatever happened to the good old days of laughter that didn’t require cutesy animation!
France 3: The Dark Horse in the Rankings
In a plot twist that could rival a Danish thriller, France 3 sauntered in at third place with “Les Enquêtes de Dan Sommerdahl”. Yes, you guessed it, a detective series that held the intrigue of 2.03 million thriller fanatics (10.9% market share). It seems that mysteries and coffee seem to go hand in hand. You brainiacs might be thinking, “Why not just make your own detective story while sitting cozily in your pajamas?” Patience, my dear Watsons; the fun lies in the twists and turns of others’ tales.
Meanwhile, M6 presented “Zone Interdicted”, hosted by the captivating Ophélie Meunier. This little jewel managed to entertain 1.79 million viewers (10.2% public share), discussing “work, renovation, decoration: a new home without moving”. Because nothing says “Must Watch TV” like being shown how to renovate your flat while reveling in the comforts of your couch, eh?
More Movie Nostalgia, Please!
And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Arte decided to dust off “The Great Escape”. Yes, that timeless war drama featuring the cool charisma of Steve McQueen and the rugged charm of Charles Bronson – released in 1963. This iconic flick captured the attention of 1 million viewers (6.2% market share). It appears cinematic classics are having quite the renaissance, reminding us all that sometimes, you just can’t beat a good old-fashioned escape plan!
Finally, for those with a penchant for docu-drama, France 5 had “Zelensky, the Price of Resistance” gathering 695,000 curious onlookers (3.7% market share). A tad somber compared to the flashing lights and laughter of its counterparts, but hey, sometimes you need a dose of reality to ground yourself after a belly-laugh session.
Conclusion: The Takeaway
To round it all up, it seems audiences are drawn towards the classics — perhaps nostalgia is the best recipe for engagement, or maybe the shine of modern cinema has dimmed just a smidgen? Either way, one thing is for certain: on French TV, the old dogs still know how to fetch a crowd! So don your beret, pour yourself a glass of vin, and raise a toast to the good old days of cinema, where comedy roamed free and laughter echoed in the hearts of millions. Voilà!
It’s in the oldies… This Saturday, November 10, the broadcast of “La Grande Vadrouille” was a hit on France 2, attracting 4.73 million moviegoers. The comedy directed by Gérard Oury in 1966 brought together 26.6% of the public present in front of his station. The feature film does even better than “November” by Cédric Jimenez, scheduled last Sunday: the film on the investigation into the attacks of November 13 (with Jean Dujardin, Sandrine Kiberlain, Anaïs Demoustier, etc.) attracted 4.23 million viewers .
La Deux therefore takes first place in the audience rankings. Faced with Bourvil and Louis de Funès, Pixar’s yellow heroes in blue overalls pale in comparison on TF1: “Minions 2: Once upon a time Gru” only entertains 2.18 million animation fans (11 .7% audience share). The comedy which had recorded 3.9 million cinema admissions in 2022 was nevertheless unprecedented on a free-to-air channel.
France 3 still in the top three
France 3 comes just behind in third position with “Les Enquêtes de Dan Sommerdahl”. The Danish detective series intrigues 2.03 million thriller fans (10.9% market share), almost the same score as last Sunday. On M6, the magazine “Zone Interdicted” presented by Ophélie Meunier captivated 1.79 million people (10.2% of the public). The show this Sunday focused on “work, renovation, decoration: a new home without moving”.
Finally, 1960s cinema is in full swing on a channel other than TF1: with “The Great Escape”, a war drama by John Sturges with Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson released in 1963, Arte attracted 1 million moviegoers (6.2 % audience share). France 5 comes in sixth place with the documentary “Zelensky, the price of resistance”, which brought together 695,000 curious people (3.7% market share).
**Interview with Cultural Critic Claire Fontaine on the Oldies’ Triumph in French Television Ratings**
**Editor:** Claire, thank you for joining us today. It seems the classics really took the spotlight last Saturday with ”La Grande Vadrouille” outperforming newer releases. What do you think is driving this nostalgia among viewers?
**Claire Fontaine:** Thank you for having me! I think there are a few factors at play here. First and foremost, there’s a collective yearning for escapism, especially in turbulent times. “La Grande Vadrouille” offers lighthearted comedy, and it serves as a wonderful reminder of simpler days when laughter was the primary source of entertainment. Viewers are drawn to the familiar antics of Bourvil and Louis de Funès — it’s comforting.
**Editor:** Interesting point. So, are we seeing a rejection of modern storytelling in favor of these classic narratives?
**Claire Fontaine:** Not entirely, but we must recognize that contemporary narratives often delve into heavier themes. While that has its place, viewers might prefer the carefree nature of a classic farce over serious topics, especially when they want to unwind. “November,” for instance, while well-crafted, tackles a very somber subject, which can feel like a harder sell compared to slapstick humor.
**Editor:** You mentioned the audience’s preference for escapism. What about the younger generations? Are they missing out on this classic cinema experience?
**Claire Fontaine:** Absolutely, and it’s a little concerning. The modern animated films like “Minions 2” just aren’t hitting the same note for many families. Kids today are bombarded with flashy animations and quick-cut storytelling, which can sometimes overshadow the timeless elements of traditional physical comedy found in classics. If anything, this suggests there’s room for exploration in bridging the gap and introducing younger audiences to these old masterpieces.
**Editor:** That’s a great point. Speaking of gaps, France 3’s detective series and M6’s home renovation show came in a distant third and fourth, respectively. Can you explain why these shows struggle to compete with the likes of “La Grande Vadrouille”?
**Claire Fontaine:** Detective series and home renovation shows have their loyal followings, but they generally appeal to specific demographics. The success of “La Grande Vadrouille” speaks to a broad appeal — comedy transcends age groups and is universally relatable. Meanwhile, the viewership for shows like “Zone Interdicted” is more niche. People may tune in out of curiosity, but when it comes to prime-time entertainment, they typically open their hearts for a good laugh instead.
**Editor:** do you think we’ll see a resurgence of classic films on French television as a strategy to capture audiences going forward?
**Claire Fontaine:** It seems likely, especially with the success we’re seeing. If broadcasters recognize that nostalgia and comedic simplicity can draw in millions, we might just see a renaissance of classic films as well as innovative ways of presenting them. Perhaps revisiting these films in new formats or pairing classics with fresh discussions could rekindle interest among younger viewers as well.
**Editor:** Thank you, Claire, for your insights! It certainly seems that the oldies still have a significant role to play in today’s evolving television landscape.
**Claire Fontaine:** Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how this trend develops.
