French TV Host Pascal Praud Responds to Viral Parody of His Show

On Thursday evening, comedian Malik Bentalha, who goes by the name "Pascal Traud", posted a parody of "L’Heure des pros". In a long interview with Le Parisien, Pascal Praud admits that the beginning of the satirical reproduction of his show made him laugh. "The beginning, with Sardou’s song, made me laugh. The rest is caricatural but, honestly, it’s not mean. Being parodied is the price of success. We don’t caricature what doesn’t exist," he said. However, he regrets the over-instrumentalization of this sketch on social networks. "Then, as always, I regret the over-instrumentalization of this sketch on social networks," he continued. "I’m made out to be a reactionary when I’m more of an anarchist. I love freedom above all else." He is often criticized for his positions close to the far-right ideology.

The other character that Malik Bentalha imitated in the show "L’heure de trop sur TNews" is Hassen Chalghoumi, the famous imam of Drancy known for his controversial positions, presented under the name Larsen Harbouni. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he reacted to the parody of the French comedian whose mother is of Moroccan origin. "This parody made me laugh! Because I am Charles!" he writes, referring to the remarks made by the comedian who did not hesitate to mock the speech given by the Muslim dignitary to the media the day after the Charlie Hebdo attack. "But some reactions show that its authors had other intentions as well. Laughter is encouraged in Islam when it is benevolent, prohibited when it is malicious. I can’t tell you more," concludes the imam.