Andrea Pucci, a prominent Italian comedian and actor, has withdrawn from co-hosting the upcoming Sanremo Music Festival following a wave of online backlash. The reversal comes after Carlo Conti, the festival’s artistic director, announced Pucci’s participation, sparking immediate controversy.
Pucci announced his decision in a statement released through the Italian news agency Ansa, citing “incomprehensible and unacceptable” insults, threats, and epithets directed at him and his family. He described a “negative media wave” that he believes fundamentally alters the relationship between an artist and their audience. “I thank Carlo Conti and Rai,” Pucci stated, “but I have decided to take a step back.”
The controversy centers on past comedic material, specifically jokes perceived as fascist, homophobic, and sexist. Parliamentarians from the Democratic Party (PD) on the RAI’s oversight commission issued a statement questioning the choice of Pucci, characterizing him as “ostensibly right-wing, fascist, and homophobic.” They pointed to a specific incident from involving a joke referencing sexual acts and a subsequent response from television personality Alessandro Zorzi, who called for an apology.
Pucci addressed these criticisms directly in his statement, asserting that the term “fascist” should be obsolete in . He emphasized that differing political viewpoints – “a man of the right and a man of the left” – should be debated within a democratic framework. He also vehemently denied any hatred, stating, “Homophobia and racism are terms that highlight hatred of humanity, and I have never hated anyone.”
The comedian explained that his work, spanning 35 years, has been dedicated to making people laugh through observations of Italian culture and character. He lamented that the current climate prevents him from exercising his profession. Pucci also referenced a physical incident in his past, stating that, at 61 years old, he doesn’t feel equipped to engage in what he described as an “intellectually unequal fight.”
Pucci removed a post from Instagram thanking Conti for the invitation. The post featured a photo of him nude from the back, with the caption “Sanremo, I’m coming.” Conti had playfully responded, “At least wear a swimsuit on the Ariston stage.”
The Sanremo Music Festival is a cornerstone of Italian culture, broadcast nationally and attracting a massive audience. The selection of Pucci as co-host had already generated significant debate, with critics highlighting past jokes that they found offensive. The specific joke cited by the PD parliamentarians involved a reference to medical swabs and a crude suggestion related to television personality Vladimir Luxuria. Luxuria responded in , accusing Pucci of making an inappropriate and offensive remark about his sexuality.
Conti now faces the challenge of finding a replacement co-host on short notice, as well as finalizing the lineup of guests and other co-hosts for the festival. The incident raises broader questions about the boundaries of comedy, the role of public figures, and the impact of social media on artistic expression in Italy. The PD’s statement also implicitly criticized RAI, Italy’s state broadcaster, suggesting a shift towards a more conservative political alignment under the current government.
Pucci concluded his statement by wishing Conti success with the festival and expressing his hope to return to the theater, where he feels he can continue to bring joy and lightness to audiences. He extended his best wishes to Conti and all involved in the production.
