Minutes after the announcement of Philippe Bouvard's death on Monday at the age of 96, Laurent Ruquier paid a lengthy tribute to the man he succeeded as host of "Les Grosses Têtes" in 2014. Speaking live on RTL, the radio host praised Bouvard's considerable influence on his own career, as well as on several generations of radio and television presenters and journalists. " We would obviously have loved, it was everyone's wish, for Philippe Bouvard to be here for the fiftieth anniversary of 'Les Grosses Têtes.' We knew it would be difficult anyway. Sadly, he has just left us , " said Laurent Ruquier.
"He's a mentor to me in this profession."
The current host of Les Grosses Têtes immediately emphasized what Philippe Bouvard had represented for him. " He is a master for me in this profession, for many, because indeed, he is someone who created impertinence, not only on the radio, but even before radio, on television, with his Saturday night shows , " explained Laurent Ruquier.
He particularly remembers Philippe Bouvard's audacity with his guests: " He was the first to dare to ask questions, sometimes impolite, sometimes insolent, " he recalled, mentioning in particular his predecessor's interviews with Sister Smile and Salvador Dalí. For Laurent Ruquier, this freedom of expression was one of Philippe Bouvard's defining characteristics, well before the creation of Les Grosses Têtes.
The Big heads"A baby he had a hard time giving up"
Created by Philippe Bouvard on RTL in 1977, Les Grosses Têtes quickly became one of the iconic programs of French radio. Philippe Bouvard hosted it for 37 years before handing the reins to Laurent Ruquier in 2014. This transition was difficult for the show's creator and sometimes strained relations between the two men. Laurent Ruquier didn't shy away from this in his tribute: " Creating a show like Les Grosses Têtes, which lasted with him for 37 years, and I've only been involved for 12 years, it's a baby he naturally had a hard time letting go of. " Despite this sometimes complicated history, Laurent Ruquier was keen to reiterate his admiration for his predecessor: " Philippe Bouvard, as he knows, has always been an example and a role model for me in what is called broadcasting and journalism. "
"Before being a presenter, a journalist"
Laurent Ruquier also emphasized a facet sometimes overshadowed by Philippe Bouvard's immense radio success: his career as a journalist and press man. " He was first and foremost, before being a radio host, a journalist , " he reminded everyone, referring to a man who had " signed articles " and held positions of responsibility in the press, notably at France-Soir.
Philippe Bouvard had indeed begun his career in print journalism before becoming a major figure in radio and television. Over several decades, he had pursued a wide range of activities as a journalist, columnist, presenter, writer, and media personality.
"He invented a style."
For Laurent Ruquier, Philippe Bouvard's influence extends far beyond the history of "Les Grosses Têtes ." The host believes his predecessor created a distinctive way of conducting interviews, based on irreverence and a refusal to limit himself to simply promoting the guests. " He invented a style , " Ruquier summarized. He then cited several television personalities who, in his opinion, directly belong to this lineage: " I've often said that Thierry Ardisson, Marc-Olivier Fogiel, and perhaps myself as well, are the children and grandchildren of Philippe Bouvard. "
He attributes this influence to the freedom with which Philippe Bouvard questioned the personalities who appeared on his shows: " There aren't that many presenters who asked insolent questions to their guests, most of whom, as we know, come to promote themselves, and he, Bouvard, didn't limit himself to promotion. "
Ruquier pays tribute to the man who "has left his mark on the world of French audiovisual media"
Laurent Ruquier, who has hosted "Les Grosses Têtes" for twelve years, reflected on the legacy of the man who conceived the show nearly half a century ago. Philippe Bouvard died on Monday, August 24, at his home in Cannes, at the age of 96. His death was announced to RTL by his wife. The station, where he had been one of the most iconic voices for several decades, changed its programming to pay tribute to him. For Laurent Ruquier, beyond the sometimes difficult transition at the helm of "Les Grosses Têtes ," Philippe Bouvard remains first and foremost the one who paved the way: " He is someone who left his mark on the world of French broadcasting. "
