2023-10-08 06:10:00
LA TRIBUNE – What will this program, a big novelty for TF1, look like?
BRUCE TOUSSAINT – We will be live from Monday to Friday for three hours in the morning, with a group of columnists. They have not yet been chosen, but we really want to rely on “in-house” talents because there are a lot of them. It will be a welcome program with obviously information. Be careful, not flashes but real newspapers designed by the TF1 editorial staff. Informing is the primary vocation of this new section. When they wake up, viewers want to know what happened. But we will also talk regarding other things: cooking, decor… All of this is currently being developed. We start with a blank page, with just “Bruce Toussaint” written on it! [Rires.]
What will differentiate you from Telematinbroadcast opposite on France 2?
I understand that people want to compare us, it has been the absolute reference for almost forty years. But we will not make a Telematin bis. We are going to create our own editorial line, which will be in the spirit of the channel’s other information events. We will particularly emphasize proximity, as in TF1’s 13 Heures, thanks to the channel’s large network of correspondents in the regions. With Rodolphe Belmer, Thierry Thuillier and Ara Aprikian, we say that the objective is for viewers to feel like they are in a room of their house, with a friendly and warm atmosphere.
What will your paw be?
There will be smiles and conviviality, humor too, of course. I will be myself! You know, I’m going to be 50 in nine days [le 17 octobre], I’m not going to change my nature. And then in the morning, it’s my “garden”. I have already worked on morning shows for ten years on Canal+, iTélé, Europe 1 and Franceinfo. I know this box perfectly. I knew deep down that I was going to come back one day. It’s so great to wake up the viewers, we form a unique bond with them. Even if it is very complicated in terms of personal organization, because you have to get up in the middle of the night. If anyone knows how hard it is, it’s me.
Exactly, what time will this morning start?
It hasn’t been finalized yet, it’s still being considered. But mornings traditionally start at 6 a.m., 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. It will probably be one of these three times. I already know what I’m going to ask Santa: an alarm clock and a coffee maker! [Rires.]
Your departure from BFMTV to join TF1 created a surprise and caused a lot of talk. When did the first discussions take place behind the scenes?
It’s true that the timing is as unexpected as it is spectacular! On September 23, I was at the Vélodrome stadium to comment on Pope Francis’ mass on BFMTV. I then received a phone call from Thierry Thuillier [le directeur général adjoint de TF1 chargé de l’information], who wanted to meet me. We saw each other two days later. Everything happened very quickly, in less than ten days. After several sleepless nights and long discussions with my wife, who has always accompanied me in my “crazes”, I made my decision this week on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. And I immediately announced it on Thursday noon to Marc-Olivier Fogiel [directeur général de BFMTV]right following my show.
You are talking regarding ” sleepless nights “, Does that mean you hesitated a lot?
It was a difficult choice to make because the timing is unusual. I know very well that leaving during the year is a decision that hits BFMTV harder than if it were at the end of the season. But I mightn’t refuse TF1’s offer. Three hours of airtime every day on Europe’s number one channel is dizzying… It’s an extraordinary opportunity that I mightn’t pass up.
We might read that this was a disagreement with the editorial line of BFMTV. What regarding it?
This is ridiculous and completely false! I categorically deny it. I was very happy at BFMTV, I had truly wonderful years. Those who claim that the editorial line is now more focused on news items have a short memory. BFMTV’s line has not changed and has always been defined by current events. There was already a lot of talk regarding news items in the past when the news was ripe for it, like during the Daval affair or the disappearance of little Maëlys.
Was the relationship with Marc-Olivier Fogiel still as good?
Absolutely. I have known Marc-Olivier for twenty-five years. It is a friend. Since his arrival at BFMTV in 2019, he has entrusted me with all the channel’s most important interviews: from Emmanuel Macron to Jean-Luc Mélenchon via Nicolas Hulot [après les accusations de viol le visant]. With him, I experienced a number of scoops, incredible special editions and sets relocated almost everywhere. The only reason for my departure is the fantastic offer from TF1. This is what I explained to Marc-Olivier. Today the only thing I want to tell him is « merci ».
To succeed you, several names have already been mentioned such as Maxime Switek and Estelle Denis. Do you know who will be on air between 9 a.m. and noon?
No, and I will probably be the last to know. But BFMTV is a fantastic pool of 300 journalists, with very talented personalities. I am convinced that there are plenty of possible options.
1696806672
#mightnt #TF1 #Bruce #Toussaint
