The Star Academy, that venerable TF1 institution that stubbornly refuses to age, made a strong impact again this Friday, November 8. Between sincere tears and political messages (or almost), the evening was intense. Indeed, the prime offered an audience competition lost in advance. However, that wasn’t all. This prime was also a masterclass in kitsch and television emotions. Yet, despite this excess of pathos, more viewers preferred the investigations of Astrid and Raphaëlle on France 2. But then, why this eternal success of police dramas over sung dramas? Let’s decipher an evening where everything mixes: pop, politics, and crime.
Clara Luciani: godmother, singer, and tear-maker
Clara Luciani, godmother of the season and tireless ambassador of raw emotion, hit the mark once again. Her surprise for Marine, a student trembling with admiration, was calibrated to turn the audience into a puddle of tears. Imagine the scene: Clara and Marine perform J’sais pas plaire, a song that suddenly seems to become the anthem of all sensitive souls. The sobs multiply, the cameras zoom in on the tissues, and Marine, with a trembling voice, manages to articulate: "It’s so great, thank you Clara, it touches me enormously."
And that’s where we wonder: why do we love watching people cry on TV so much? Is a tear more cathartic when filmed in HD? Perhaps it reflects our own need for emotion in a society where even emojis cry by proxy.
But the award for the emotional moment goes to Thomas Dutronc, who, faced with the poignant interpretation of Message personnel by the academicians, had a family flashback in the middle of the prime. "The beautiful photo of my mom… for sure, it was a bit moving," he said, visibly overwhelmed. A fragile Thomas, applauded by an audience delighted to have witnessed this flood of authenticity.
Brigitte Macron: emotion in the service of politics
The highlight of this rollercoaster evening? The visit of Brigitte Macron to the château of Dammarie-les-Lys was a significant event. It was a sequence that exuded a unique atmosphere. Indeed, it smelled of the improbable mix between pedagogy and communication strategy. Coming to defend the fight against school bullying, the First Lady dressed in leather took the time to talk to the students. Her advice? "Express your emotions, write them down." A noble message, certainly, but slightly awkward in the context of a show where everything, absolutely everything, is scripted to maximize emotion.
On Quotidien, Yann Barthès did not fail to mock the scene with a biting remark: "To vote for Brigitte, press 1!" A mocking comment but revealing of a deeper issue: what do politicians gain from frequenting these television arenas? Brigitte Macron, by inviting herself into this bastion of pop culture, manages to reach a young and connected audience, an audience that official speeches rarely reach. It’s a bold gamble, which could inspire other political figures in search of instant humanity. A tear here, a hug there, and voilà, you are "close to the people."
Astrid and Raphaëlle: why the duo still triumphs
But meanwhile, on France 2, the tandem Astrid and Raphaëlle was unfolding a thrilling plot involving a hitman nicknamed "The Reptile". Faced with such a scenario, even Clara Luciani stands no chance. With its 5.47 million viewers, the series continues to captivate with its formula: captivating investigations, an endearing duo, and effective writing.
Why such success? Because in times of crisis, the public prefers investigations resolved in 52 minutes to the raw and unresolved emotions of Star Academy. And, let’s be honest, there is something reassuring about seeing characters solve mysteries rather than trying to master their vibrato.
Why televised emotion still fascinates so much
If we think about it, the Star Academy represents pure emotion: live, tears, victories, defeats, and that inimitable scent of spontaneity… although cleverly orchestrated. Yet, this constant quest for tears raises a question: is all this still authentic? The viewer, often an unwitting accomplice, seems always ready to succumb to this emotional blackmail. Perhaps because these televised moments offer a welcome break in a daily life saturated with anxiety-inducing news.
As for the success of programs like Astrid and Raphaëlle, it is explained by their ability to tell more structured stories, where reality shows rely on emotional chaos. Each has its style: some prefer to cry in front of Clara Luciani, others to shiver in front of "The Reptile."
A lesson for TF1
TF1 knows it: pure emotion is no longer enough. Faced with the competition from series and streaming platforms, the channel will have to rethink its primes to avoid falling into redundancy. Perhaps by betting on more original content or by slightly reducing the dose of pathos. But one thing is certain: the Star Academy remains a fascinating laboratory of our emotions, a machine for creating television memories.
And if we had to sum it up? Whether in a château or in an interrogation room, emotion always sells. You just have to know where to look for it.