Marco Predolin: TV’s Loss, Sailing’s Gain
Marco Predolin Reflects on TV Career, Restaurant Venture
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Marco Predolin, a prominent Italian television presenter who rose too fame in the 1980s, recently discussed his career trajectory, from his peak years in television to his current venture in the restaurant industry.
From TV Stardom to Restaurant Owner
Predolin, known for his quick wit and extensive radio experience, joked about his past success, stating, “Write: one of the best presenters in the history of Italian TV.” He acknowledged that leaving the television industry might have been a misstep.
“with one word: crazy,” Predolin said, reflecting on his decision to leave television. “There are trains on which you go up once in a lifetime and even for the economic aspect I would have had to continue for at least another 10 years.”
The Arrogance of Success
Predolin admitted to feeling invincible during his time in the spotlight. “Yes. I did not have an agent who managed me, I felt omnipotent, immortal: the arrogance of success leads you to believe that they cannot do without you and if you go there will be someone immediately to look for you.”
Early Days in Radio
Before his television career, Predolin honed his skills at Radio Monte Carlo. “The real apprenticeship at the school of Radio Monte Carlo, I made six months of ribbons before airing: it meant that I recorded a broadcast, the director Noel Coutisson listened to everything and then told me: Well, you make another tomorrow. For 24 weeks in a row,” Predolin recalled.
Breakthrough with ”M’ama non m’ama”
predolin credits Paolo Limiti for recognizing his talent and introducing him to executives at Rete4, leading to his role in ”M’ama non m’ama.”
“I was in a program of Memo Remigi, among the authors there was Paolo Limiti who appreciated my nice and witty verve. So since he knew that at Rete4 (then still of Mondadori) they were looking for a conductor,he introduced me to the managers: I did a summer of auditions,seasoned by many ‘we will let her know’. The format of the program was by Steve Carlin who wanted me at all costs, while at Rete4 they did not calculate me as they preferred a known face. But he got stuck and then they decided to join Sabina Ciuffini, the Mike Valletta, to give a more recognizable image to the program,” Predolin explained.
He described his role alongside Sabina Ciuffini as equally critically importent. “The transmission was divided exactly in half, we had the same parts with the same role. It was the first daily program in Striscia in Italy: it was an amazing success.”
Predolin characterized Ciuffini as “Like me. an antidiviva, with a head in the air, nice, anti-television, in the sense that she likes to do this job but not the environment: his is also my story.”
The Transition to “The Game of Couples”
After two years, Predolin moved to “The Game of Couples.” He said,“Carlin wanted a lot of money for the rights of I don’t love me And so the managers - decidedly myopian – took The game of couples which cost much less.”
However, he felt the show became repetitive. “We recorded three or four episodes a day and gradually became like an assembly line, repetitive: I was an urban policeman who regulated the traffic, behind the scenes then felt tensions that I did not understand,” Predolin stated.
Berlusconi’s Critique
Predolin recounted an incident involving Silvio Berlusconi during the filming of “A roundabout on the sea.”
“I wore a white tuxedo jacket, to Love Boat: Berlusconi came to see the shot and asked: What does Predolin dress like a barman? We threw the episode and redone all over,” he said.
Disappointment at Rai
Predolin expressed disappointment with his experience at Rai, the Italian state television network. “And in Rai I took a nice bin. At the schedule they presented me as the conductor of Surprise evening With Gabriella Carlucci, from an idea of Japine. Except that then they decide to cancel me, I take it in that place and the Carrà does the program: it was Carràmba! What a surprise. From then on I did things,but Serie B stuff,series C.”
Teleshopping Years
Predolin also spent 12 years in teleshopping. “They have nothing to do with the show, you just have to be nice and precise. For me, the teleshops were the way of having an income, certainly not a job that makes you feel gratified to sell armchairs, sofas, pots or mattresses. Then there too at a certain point,from today,they disappeared. So here is plan B,” he explained.
Current Venture: Restaurants
Predolin’s “plan B” involves the restaurant business. he currently manages a restaurant in Porto Rotondo, with his wife handling the cashier duties.
From Caribbean Cuisine to TV Critique: A Conversation
A former restaurateur and television personality reflects on past ventures, current projects, and the state of modern television.
Santo Domingo Beginnings
“I had a restaurant in Santo Domingo,” he said. “On the beach, tables in the sand, I did a little Italian cuisine. Milanese cutlet and trenette with pesto conquered the Italians in the Caribbean. I went back and forth while recording The Game of Couples.”
He added that the experience was personally enriching but professionally limiting. “It gave me a lot on a personal level, but on a professional level, it penalized me.I recorded and left, not taking advantage of the benefits of popularity: invitations, knowledge, frequentations.”
After five years, he closed the restaurant. “The island had become a mess. it’s a shame; I already saw myself like a Marlon Brando of the poor.”
Return to Restaurants
“In Porto Rotondo, I have the coffee of the Navy,” he explained, noting its evolution. “When I didn’t have a cook, I did hamburgers, club sandwiches, things like that. But today, there is a very good chef. I give suggestions and add inventiveness, create the wow effect when the dishes come out. My wife takes care of the administrative part – that is, she is at the cashier – and I take care of the room. Every evening I sing, I play with the customers, I go to the tables.”
Extravagant Spending
Asked about his most extravagant expenditure, he responded, “there are those who eat everything with women or drugs, but it is indeed not appropriate. I put a lot of money into boats, with two in particular, one sailing from 19 meters and another 18.”
When pressed for a specific amount, he demurred. “Leave it alone. They were an open chasm. Now I have reduced to 10 meters; the boat is my office in front of the restaurant.”
Love Life
Regarding his love life, he said, “They saddled me with a lot of stories, just as I was the cupid of The Couples Game… Today I am married, and I have a gorgeous and resolved sentimental life.”
critique of Modern Television
When asked about television today, he stated bluntly, “It sucks me.”
Elaborating, he added, “TV pisses me off. One says: Of course, you are envious because you are out. This is not the case.The fact is that I always think about what I would do if I were in that program. The problem is not of the conductor, but of those who chose it. The artistic directors and the authors no longer exist; today everything is in the hands of mediocre producers.”
Praise for Stefano De Martino
He offered praise for at least one television personality. “Stefano De Martino has pathos, hole the video, I like it, he deserves the role he has. Everyone thought that the parcels were shipwrecked, instead he made it, is a nice guy, in a TV full of people who think they are Nunzio Filogamo.”
Disappointment with Programming Choices
He expressed disappointment with some programming decisions. “You can’t take an opinionist like Vladimir Luxuria – nothing against her – and put her as a presenter in the early evening. Actually, island of the Famous lasted one year. Now Veronica Gentili have invented, but he is a journalist, what’s the point. The TV is really sad, the afternoons are all the same, in the evening the talks all identical, the variety without authors: few ideas and confused. I looked at We will see some beautiful ones Di Carlo Conti, if I had seen it at Antenna three I would have thought: well come on, poor people, they committed themselves.”
Reality TV as an ATM
“I closed today,” he said regarding reality television. “I had done To the sole as the possibility of relaunch, Big Brother and Isola for money. Do you offer me money to show me while I get down my braces and while I die of hunger? Ok, I’m going there. For me,the reality shows – needless to deny it – have been an ATM.”
April 17, 2025
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Marco Predolin: From Italian TV Icon to Restaurant Owner – A Candid Conversation
Marco Predolin is a name synonymous with 1980s Italian television. Known for his quick wit and charisma, he captivated audiences for years. But what happened after the spotlight dimmed? in this exclusive Q&A, we delve into Predolin’s career journey, touching on his television successes, his surprising venture into the restaurant business, and his unfiltered opinions on the ever-changing world of entertainment.
Q: Who is Marco Predolin, and why was he so popular in Italian television?
A: Marco Predolin is a celebrated Italian television presenter, hugely popular during the 1980s. He rose to fame largely thanks to his skills as a radio presenter and his work on programs like “M’ama non m’ama” and “The Game of Couples”. Predolin became a household name because of his engaging personality and his ability to connect with the audience. He was a natural on screen, bringing a fresh approach that resonated with viewers. he was known for his quick wit, as well as his genuine charisma, which combined to make him a memorable presence on Italian television.
Q: How did Predolin’s career begin,and what role did radio play in his success?
A: Predolin’s journey to television stardom started in radio. He recognized the importance of honing his skills at Radio Monte Carlo before making his first television appearance. He spoke of the invaluable training he received in those early days. Predolin recalled the demanding process of recording broadcasts and receiving feedback from the director, Noel Coutisson. He spent six months recording and refining his broadcasts before going on air. This rigorous apprenticeship formed the foundation of his television success, as it taught him the nuances of engaging an audience and delivering compelling content.
Q: what were some of the key programs that launched Predolin into the limelight?
A: “M’ama non m’ama” proved to be a pivotal turning point in his career. Predolin credits Paolo Limiti for recognizing his talent. after being introduced to the executives at Rete4 and a challenging audition process, and despite the preference for a known face, Predolin secured a role. This early success led to the daily program “Striscia”,alongside Sabina Ciuffini,which was a huge hit. Following this, he moved on to “The Game of Couples,” marking another meaningful achievement in his television career.
Q: What made “M’ama non m’ama” and “The Game of Couples” so prosperous?
A: Predolin explained the success of “M’ama non m’ama” and his role alongside Sabina Ciuffini.He describes their dynamic as central to the appeal of the show, and this, combined with the novel format, led to the show’s exceptional success. As for “The Game of Couples,” Predolin contributed to this show for which he saw the repetitive nature and assembly-line production affect the appeal of the show. Ultimately, both programmes benefited from Predolin’s charisma and unique presentation style that resonated well with its audiences.
Q: Predolin transitioned from TV to the restaurant business. What led to this career shift?
A: After a successful run in television, Predolin found himself drawn to the restaurant industry.Predolin explained that he thought about what he would do after leaving his TV career. He has a restaurant in Porto Rotondo, which is a part of his “plan B” with his wife handling the cashier duties. Predolin explained that “the teleshopping” was “a way of having an income, certainly not a job that makes you feel gratified to sell armchairs, sofas, pots or mattresses. Then there too at a certain point, from today, they disappeared,” he stated, and the restaurant was his answer to this. His restaurant has seen the evolution in a chef and his own role. With the chef, he can now concentrate on inventing, by creating the wow effect.
Q: Did Predolin face any disappointing moments during his television career?
A: Yes, Predolin experienced some letdowns. he expressed disappointment with his time at Rai, the Italian state television network.He spoke about being slated to host “Surprise evening” before ultimately being replaced. In his words, he felt as though he had received a “nice bin”.This experience was a low point in Predolin’s career as it considerably impacted his opportunities.
Q: What is Predolin’s current view on modern television?
A: Predolin is definitely not a fan of what Italian television has become, describing it bluntly as “sucks me.” He criticized the lack of original ideas, the prominence of mediocre producers, and the absence of artistic direction.He expressed the opinion of the current state, with limited variety and the reliance on certain personalities. Predolin’s analysis provides a glimpse into the world of contemporary television, its difficulties, and the need for innovation in the field.
Q: How did Predolin’s restaurant ventures in Santo Domingo and Porto Rotondo shape his life?*
A: His restaurant in Santo Domingo allowed him to experience Caribbean culture even though it came with professional limitations.While this gave him a personally enriching experience, it didn’t result in professional notoriety, but with his venture in Porto Rotondo, Predolin brings what he has learned to the table. By becoming the master of the room, singing, playing with the customers, he has combined his talents and a love for his restaurant.