Born in Morocco, Bernard Montiel returns to French TV amid favoritism row
Born in Casablanca, Bernard Montiel became a familiar face to generations of French viewers with “Vidéo Gag.” Now 69, the TV host is back at the helm of an entertainment show on France 3. But his arrival has sparked a bitter dispute, amid allegations of favoritism and high-profile departures.
“The best answer to cronyism is longevity.” Bernard Montiel is not about to let himself be unsettled. In an interview with Le Parisien this Saturday, October 10, the 69-year-old French TV host responds to criticism surrounding his appointment to host “Samedi d’en rire” on France 3. It is a return to the spotlight for this television figure, whose career began more than 40 years ago.
Before becoming famous in France, Bernard Montiel grew up in Casablanca, where he was born in April 1957. His family left Morocco for the Bordeaux region in 1961, a displacement he still recalls with emotion. The TV host has spoken, in particular, about the discrimination he faced at school, where he preferred to hide his birthplace to avoid insults. Today, he regularly returns to his native country.
His career took off in the 1980s. On TF1, he became one of the channel’s best-known entertainment hosts with “Vidéo Gag” and “Une famille en or.” After several years away from the main shows on the leading French channel, he now has a prominent role on public television.
An appointment that sparks departures and accusations of favoritism
It all began with the ousting of Jean-Luc Lemoine, who had hosted “Samedi d’en rire” for seven seasons. The comedian says he learned of his replacement through the press. Two panelists, Marc Toesca and Yoann Riou, then decided to leave the show. The former lashed out at his successor, calling him “a colorless, odorless, tasteless courtier.”
The criticism is aimed above all at Bernard Montiel’s ties to Brigitte Macron. Some say the First Lady gave him a helping hand in securing the show. Both Montiel and France Télévisions management have rejected the accusation, with the broadcaster defending its choice of an experienced and popular host.
On October 3, Bernard Montiel finally took the helm of “Samedi d’en rire,” alongside a largely revamped team. Its first four episodes drew an average of 622,000 viewers, a 9.4% audience share. That was below the 907,000 viewers who watched the program at the start of the 2025 season, when Jean-Luc Lemoine was still its host.
That adds further pressure on the former TF1 host, who is now being judged both on his ratings and on his ability to make viewers forget the controversy.
