The future of “Touche Pas à Mon Poste” (TPMP), the popular French talk show hosted by Cyril Hanouna, is uncertain. By the end of February, the program, which has long been a staple on the Canal+ group’s channel C8, faces potential suspension. This news has left its loyal audience, which averages around two million viewers daily, in dismay.

Hanouna, known for his endearing nicknames for his audience, such as “darling” and “little beauties,” has cultivated a devoted following. The show, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, has become a cultural phenomenon in France, much like popular American talk shows such as “The View” or “The Daily Show.”

In a recent survey conducted by the Ifop for “Le Point” in 2021, the demographic of TPMP viewers was analyzed. The viewers are predominantly between 18 and 50 years old and tend to vote for extreme political candidates like Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The show’s audience includes workers, employees, craftsmen, traders, housewives, and the inactive, representing a segment of France often labeled as “popular,” rather than the affluent urban and metropolitan areas.

Charline, a solo mother of three from Lyon, shared her experience with the show, describing it as her “daily oxygen puff.” She explains, “I’m always worrying about everything, I sleep badly, I’m afraid … There was a single moment in the day when, captivated by Cyril, I was able to put this on break during the program. But no, even that I am taken to me.”

I’m always worrying about everything, I sleep badly, I’m afraid … There was a single moment in the day when, captivated by Cyril, I was able to put this on break during the program. But no, even that I am taken to me.

Emmanuelle, a business aircraft agent currently looking for a job, echoes Charline’s sentiments, saying, “I have a feeling of understanding on the part of the columnists and the presenter.”

Régine, a 60-year-old administrative employee, appreciates the show’s honesty, stating, “We think Cyril Hanouna is disturbing a lot, because he is used to telling the truth and we know that all truth is not always welcome.”

However, the show has faced criticism for its content. In March 2023, a guest named Gérard Fauré discussed the conspiracy theory of “adrenochrome,” an alleged drug made from children’s blood. The Arcom, the French audiovisual regulatory authority, fined C8 €500,000 for not firmly contradicting these statements.

Despite controversies, many viewers appreciate the show for its live format and the freedom it offers to its guests. Nadège, a 60-year-old administrative employee, says, “There is no assembly on each other’s words, and at least people can express themselves freely without manipulation.”

There is no assembly on each other’s words, and at least people can express themselves freely without manipulation.

Malolo, a Francophile artist living in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, describes the show as “the blooper before Christmas.” He explains, “Each program is like a best of.”

TPMP is the blooper before Christmas. Each program is like a best of.

Frédéric, a 33-year-old unemployed due to a disability, credits the show with strengthening his political interest. He says, “I became more politicized over time. TPMP has helped strengthen this interest.”

I became more politicized over time. TPMP has helped strengthen this interest.

Léo and his wife, both living in Corsica, find the show’s debates resonate with their political positions. They say, “Each day, new rapes, attacks, inadmissible various facts, decisions of inappropriate judges … We give rights to criminals, the OQTF while the French are crying in the cold, under the taxes, and do not arrive get out of it. Meanwhile, in the hemicycle, our deputies are insulted, come to hands, debate subjects that France does not need (…). It’s pathetic and that’s what TPMP shows us.”

Each day, new rapes, attacks, inadmissible various facts, decisions of inappropriate judges … We give rights to criminals, the OQTF while the French are crying in the cold, under the taxes, and do not arrive get out of it. Meanwhile, in the hemicycle, our deputies are insulted, come to hands, debate subjects that France does not need (…). It’s pathetic and that’s what TPMP shows us.

Céline, a 49-year-old working in a work center due to her disability, criticizes Hanouna’s vision of the news and his political positions, saying, “I do not endorse his vision of the news nor his political positions which seem extreme to me.”

I believe that Cyril Hanouna remains someone sincere, but that he got lost, maybe because he has a big head.

Magali, a 49-year-old business consultant, admires Hanouna’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a media mogul. She says, “He was able to rise from nothing to reach the summits. His journey is a real source of inspiration, illustrating perseverance and passion.”

Despite the sometimes skeptical detractors and columnists, he continued to move forward, innovate and bring together millions of fans around his vision.

Jonathan, a 30-year-old listing officer in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, dreams of becoming a columnist on the show. He even visited the C8 studios in June 2021, hoping to catch Hanouna’s attention.

Despite the diverse opinions, one thing is clear: the potential suspension of TPMP has left its loyal viewers deeply affected. Frédéric, a 33-year-old unemployed due to a disability, sees the possible closure as a disturbing trend. He says, “Its possible closure is, in my opinion, a disturbing drift, because it reveals a broader problem of freedom of expression in France. Since then, we clearly feel pressure to have the program stopped, which seems to me to be a form of institutional harassment.”

Its possible closure is, in my opinion, a disturbing drift, because it reveals a broader problem of freedom of expression in France. Since then, we clearly feel pressure to have the program stopped, which seems to me to be a form of institutional harassment.

The future of TPMP remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the show has left an indelible mark on its viewers, much like popular American talk shows have on their audiences. As the debate over freedom of expression continues, the fate of TPMP hangs in the balance.