France 2 Pays Tribute to Michel Blanc with Special Programming
In an emotional response to the recent passing of beloved French actor Michel Blanc, France 2 made a significant programming change to honor his legacy. Following the announcement of Blanc's death on October 4, 2024, the channel decided to replace the scheduled episode of "Capitaine Marleau" with a screening of the film "Je vous trouve très beau". This heartfelt drama, directed by Isabelle Mergault, features Blanc as Aymé Pigrenet, a widowed farmer who finds love with a Romanian woman, Elena, played by Medeea Marinescu.
The tribute was a resounding success, drawing in an impressive 5.2 million viewers, which translated to a 29.1% audience share. This marked a significant achievement for France 2, allowing it to dominate the evening ratings. The film, which originally captivated audiences in theaters with 3.4 million admissions in 2006, resonated strongly with viewers once again.
Other Networks Adjust Programming in Mourning
In light of Blanc's passing, other French networks also adjusted their programming to pay tribute to the iconic actor. France 3 announced it would replace the scheduled screening of Sergio Leone's classic "For a Few Dollars More" with "Grosse Fatigue", a film that explores the themes of celebrity and features Blanc alongside Carole Bouquet and Philippe Noiret. Additionally, France 2's special evening continued with a rebroadcast of "Un jour, un destin", focusing on the legendary comedy troupe Les Bronzés, of which Blanc was a pivotal member.
In contrast, TF1 aired a new entertainment program hosted by Arthur, which attracted around 2.3 million viewers, and M6 presented the comedy "Menteur", garnering 1.5 million viewers. Despite the competition, the tribute to Michel Blanc remained the highlight of the evening, showcasing the profound impact he had on French cinema and television.
