Every day, Marie-Françoise Laize-Générat has lunch at 12:45 to listen to “The 1,000 Euro Game”. in France Inter. “I am an ultra of the show”, recognizes the retiree, who imposes total silence on her family during the fifteen minutes that the program lasts. “We’re not even allowed to whisper.” I would like to point out his daughter Lucie, sitting next to him.
This August 30, both occupy a prominent place in the Le Ponant room, in Pacé (Ille-et-Vilaine), which hosts the recording of the show. Second row, behind the mayor. Because it was Marie-Françoise who asked her city to invite the “1,000 Euro Game”. “Tonight it is thanks to her that we are here!” “, warmly indicates Nicolas Stoufflet, the star presenter, to the six hundred people seated in front of him. Appreciative applause follows.
For the occasion, the former teacher gathered family, friends and neighbors. Among them, a row behind her, Jean-Yves Guyard, 82 years old, two participations in the game: in 1967, in Paimpol (Côtes-d’Armor), and in 1977, in Canet-en-Roussillon (Pyrénées-Orientales ). . “The second time I came home from the beach and I was in a bathing suit. “A friend of mine lent me some very big shorts that I had to hold with one hand.” the former literature professor smiles.
Record attendance
Since its creation in 1958, the issue, which went from francs to euros in 2001, has left its mark on the national collective memory. Like its star presenters: Lucien Jeunesse, presenter from 1965 to 1995, and then Louis Bozon, at the helm from 1995 to 2008 and died in July at the age of 90.
But it is also because its operation and its rules have remained roughly the same over the decades that the French remain attached to the show: in a community hall somewhere in France, ten candidates are selected from the spectators present, after a series of questions. he asked on the fly (“The largest Swedish island? », “The inventor of the electric battery? », “Modigliani’s painter? »).
So recording starts. The host introduces the scenic city and the two players standing in front of it. They are asked up to seven general knowledge questions. The profits gradually increase up to the superbank of 1,000 euros. The candidates – archivist, plastic arts teacher, tourist guide, geriatrician, finance inspector, retired from national education… – They can come with their children or grandchildren, so they can participate in the “youth special,” scheduled every Wednesday. “I know that I am the typical listener profile, said Marie-Françoise laughing. Retired teacher, enjoys reading, hiking and movies. »
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