Bernard Montiel takes over "Samedi d'en rire" on France 3, defends himself against favoritism claims

Bernard Montiel, a veteran French television host, began presenting the comedy program "Samedi d'en rire" on France 3 on October 3, 2026, taking over from Jean-Luc Lemoine, according to Puremédias (Ozap). The 69-year-old is best known for hosting "Vidéo Gag" and "Une famille en or" on TF1 in the 1980s and 1990s, according to Bladi.net.

How the handover happened

Lemoine, who had presented the show for several seasons, learned he would not be kept on through press reports rather than a direct call from France Télévisions or the production company, according to Puremédias. In response, longtime show commentator Marc Toesca and chronicler Yoann Riou chose not to join Montiel's new team, in solidarity with Lemoine, Puremédias and Bladi.net reported.

Toesca publicly criticized Montiel's appointment and suggested that Brigitte Macron had played a role in the hiring decision, according to Puremédias. Montiel responded on Instagram, describing his critics as people who do not understand the television industry and denying that the rumors had any basis, Puremédias reported.

Lemoine subsequently joined Cyril Hanouna's talk show "Tout beau, tout neuf" on W9, starting August 31, 2026, according to Puremédias.

Montiel addresses the favoritism accusations

Asked about rumors that his relationship with First Lady Brigitte Macron secured him the job, Montiel told Puremédias that he was close to several people he described as of quality rather than of power, including Brigitte Macron, but that this had nothing to do with his appointment.

Montiel argued that his 41-year career was itself proof against the favoritism accusations, saying it would be absurd to claim every French president had personally arranged for him to stay on air, and that television is unforgiving toward hosts who lack genuine audience appeal, according to Puremédias. France Télévisions defended the hiring, describing Montiel as an experienced and popular host, Bladi.net reported.

Opening ratings fall short of predecessor's

Montiel's first broadcast as host drew an average of 622,000 viewers and a 9.4% audience share across four episodes aired between 1:30 p.m. and 5:20 p.m., according to Puremédias. That compares with an average of 907,000 viewers and an 11.2% share that Lemoine drew over nine episodes between September 6 and 20, 2025, a decline of roughly 285,000 viewers, or about 31%, and 1.8 percentage points of audience share, Puremédias and Stephanelarue.com reported.

The first segment of Montiel's debut, from 1:30 to 2:22 p.m., gathered 657,000 viewers and a 7.8% share, according to Puremédias. Puremédias noted that a single day of figures does not amount to a definitive verdict on the new format, and that a fuller assessment was expected roughly a month after the relaunch.

A partly new team

Alongside Montiel, the revamped lineup includes new chroniclers Nathalie André and Thomas Croisière, according to Puremédias. Nadège Beausson-Diagne was the only member of the previous team to stay on; during the October 3 premiere she addressed her former colleagues on air, telling them she was sending her warm regards after seven years working together, Puremédias reported.

Montiel, who was born in Casablanca, Morocco, in April 1957 before his family moved to the Bordeaux region in 1961, has previously spoken about facing discrimination at school over his origins, according to Bladi.net.