Joël Le Bigot, Denis Lévesque, Paul Houde: we rarely bring these three names together, and yet, this week, we had to do it, because the three men announced, a few days apart, that they were leaving their microphone.
The first, for good: he arrives, as they say, at retirement age. The second, to start a new cycle in his career, the third, because apparently his bosses did not think it necessary to extend his contract, which we will politely qualify as a bad idea.
Micros
These three men embodied, in our audiovisual landscape, a real freedom of tone, a personal culture, out of step with the present times, where formatted animators too often dominate.
At Radio-Canada, Le Bigot was a monument and a dissident. A monument so important, almost untouchable, that it allowed itself to make comments that the era condemns and that common sense, secretly, approves. When he spoke, the chaste ears bled, and the audience rejoiced.
At LCN, Denis Lévesque knew how to highlight the often extraordinary nature of ordinary life. But he also knew how to conduct great interviews, with an absolutely inimitable style.
At 98.5, Paul Houde knew how to combine humor and the most improbable encyclopaedic spirit. These three men weren’t just animators: they were characters. I might have added a few names, like Pierre Bruneau and Michel Lacombe, who would also deserve praise.
Freedom
We will be told: the world must renew itself. I will answer: the new is not always better than the old. The great experience makes it possible precisely to get rid of the often invisible, but very heavy prejudices of our time. Above all, I would say that the freedom of the spirit will seriously weaken following their departure.
I see them leave, and only one phrase comes to mind: praise of the old guard. Yes. Praise of the old guard.
