The big day has arrived for Laurent Ruquier. This Monday, September 25 marked the arrival of the television man on BFMTV , where he now hosts “Le 8 p.m. de Ruquier” from Monday to Thursday. Alongside journalist Julie Hammett, the host is in charge of an hour of current affairs punctuated by debates between guests and columnists. This is one of the ingredients that constitute his trademark – like the irreverent tone that we know from him, always there too.
In a recent interview with West France Laurent Ruquier confirmed the presence of his ” signature “ at the heart of the show. With one caveat though: “You shouldn’t expect to burst out laughing while watching the show. This is not a comedy program ».
So, what about this first evening?
Read also: Laurent Ruquier and France Télévisions: a look back at 23 years of shared history
Laurent Ruquier is looking for his marks
Without preamble, the show begins and gets straight to the heart of the matter. A Laurent Ruquier more stressed than usual, at least during the first minutes, unfolds the menu of the day in “Ruquier’s summary”. The program notably announces the reception of Charles III by Emmanuel Macron (illustrated by a caricature which recalls a well-known sequence ofWe are not in bed), the visit of Pope Francis and the demonstrations against police violence.
No less than six guests occupy the stage alongside the Ruquier-Hammett duo. Two journalists (Selim Derkaoui and Églantine Delaleu), three political figures (the La France Insoumise NUPES deputy from the North David Guiraud, the “Renaissance” deputy from Yvelines Karl Olive, and Blanche Leridon, Editorial Director of the Institut Montaigne) and a head well known to viewersWe are not in bed : lawyer Charles Consigny. From the outset, we perceive a desire to sweep the political spectrum from left to right.
“Ruquier’s 8 p.m.” aligns with the BFMTV tone
Nevertheless, Ruquier remains wise for this first by brushing the chain led by Marc-Olivier Fogiel in the direction of the hair. The first subject debated by the six guests is in fact a cliché on BFMTV : police violence and, more precisely, the demonstrations in reaction to this violence. With, in the background, a question: “Are demonstrations against police violence useful? ».
It is clear here that Laurent Ruquier respects his specifications. The floor is given to both the left and the right, without distinction. “It was a demonstration for justice”, exclaims David Guiraud. When, conversely, Christophe Rouget believes that “this demonstration was a walk of shame”. Charles Consigny, for his part, protests against the climate of insecurity which reigns in France. An advertising page finally closes this first part of the program, which will therefore have focused on a theme dear to the continuous news channel.
“Le trombinoscope de Ruquier”, a nod to “We are not in bed »
Then comes a sequence which is reminiscent of the evocation of the great absentees of the evening at We are not in bed. Ruquier’s trombinoscope here scans several personalities linked to the news of the day, also absent from the set. On this Monday, September 25, the figure of Amélie Oudéa Castéra, Minister of Sports, is the opportunity to discuss the resurgence of homophobic chants in football stadiums. Daniel Riolo, consultant RMC Sport, “don’t think the sanctions change much”.
The recent injury to rugby player Antoine Dupont is also discussed, through his opponent Johan Deysel, captain of the Namibian XV who caused his jaw injury. “Is rugby too violent? », asks Ruquier. Macron’s announcement of €100 in aid for refueling is also covered. Motorists describe the aid in question as “ridiculous”.
Internet users skeptical about the co-presentation
Julie Hammet, who seemed to be leading the show during the first minutes, however ended up fading behind the figure of Laurent Ruquier. An observation which questioned Internet users about the relevance of a duo presentation.
Others wonder about the added value brought by the host from Le Havre, who would have been more cautious than he was on France Télévisions.
In short, this first broadcast of “8 p.m. de Ruquier” struggles to convince. Before a proper break-in? The answer during the next broadcasts.