OK, I'm done spewing bile for a while. I feel so much better for having gotten all that out of my system. Thanks blogosphere! Much less complicated than holding a baddha konasana pose while doing a kegel (yes, just got done doing my yoga DVD - that helped too). Several people have asked me what the few programs on Italian TV I watch are and how I "stay informed" here. I wanted to point out one show I watch, which should be on tonight on La 7. It's called Le Invasioni Barbariche and is hosted by Daria Bignardi.
Basically, she does one-on-one interviews with an eclectic mix of people from politicians to actors to lesser known authors or artists, and her interviews are interspersed with discussions - again with an eclectic mix of guests - on current events or hot topics. What I like about her is that she's very to the point, she doesn't mince words and she certainly does not wander out into the audience and start asking opinions (how I hate when they go in the audience and allow some signora on the street to yap on and on about her uninteresting opinion), which is rare for an Italian TV show. Not everyone loves Daria Bignardi. Yes, earlier in her career she conducted Grande Fratello (the Italian Big Brother) but that doesn't mean she's all fluff. Actually, there is no fluff on her show. From a journalistic perspective, she is able to ask the tough questions and make it look effortless, which is something I admire. I am able to ask the tough questions when I have to but I think "they" see me sweat. I'm not that cool, unfortunately.
Anyway, below is a snippet of one interview she did with designers Dolce & Gabbana. It's not her most hard-hitting interview, but I figured if I included an interview with some obscure Italian politician, not everyone would get into it. I love the set too!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Isn't is SO wierd (from one expat to another - 'cause I KNOW you get this!) that these 2 guys are really rather cool (and great that they are so "out")....yet how INANE the mass hysterical "mito" surrounding them, generally perpetrated by label crazed, spoiled, mindless teens culture here - kids who have NO clue.......
Daria Bignardi had the chance to interview Marcello Dell'Utri (the founder of Forza Italia, Berlusconi's party), convicted for Mafia, fiscal fraud, blackmail, etc. She started with "don't talk about your trial". It was a sweet discussion about books (she is really good at it), culture and poetry. Just to say that nobody in Italy dares to pose the hard question.
To D&G: I don't buy them...because I can't afford it (the 1 button suit is on my wish list ;-)
That's a shame, blo. On the other hand, I'd be a tad nervous to ask hard hitting questions of a convicted mafioso too!
michellanea - I'll have to check out her show. Thanks.
If you run into any trouble watching her show on La 7, her podcasts are also available for free on iTunes Italia. I download all of them from here in the states.
Laurie,
Their stuff really has become crap. One of the hats I wear is that of a fashion writer, and I can say that they've really just gone for the money - anything they can slap D&G on (hats, t-shirts, kiddie jeans) to make a buck, they will and have no shame.
Blo,
Usually she's no shrinking violet. I've seen her ask the tough question plenty of times. Never seen her interview a mafioso though. Perhaps he legally couldn't speak? Boh?
Kataroma,
Yeah, it's on Friday nights (since I've been pregnant, my Friday nights have become pretty tame) and I think they repeat it on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
Tiffany,
I've never checked out the podcasts but I know you can see some of the videos on the site. Thanks!
Great interview last Friday with Stefano Ricucci. He came off very differently than he has in the press at large. Made me think about how our opinions are formed by the stuff we are fed by the "news". Daria is very good and this is a watchable show. Ballerò is another, although more of a talk show style.
This is true: if you ask a convicted mafioso, you may end like Daniele Luttazzi: he was banned because of him, even if his show had 7 million viewers at 23:00.
At least he's alive ;-)
Anyway, Daria is one of the best tv hosts in Italy. Unfortunately the overall quality is miserable: if you consider that the most succesful shows are "Uomini e donne" or "Buona Domenica"...
Nice post... coincidence... like two weeks ago this show came on and I'd never seen it... I usually never watch TV here. I started listening and after a while I was so shocked that there was an intelligent-sounding woman on Italian TV I said to Ale, "Who is this woman?" Then I noticed she also has a column in Vanity Fair every month too. I was impressed, esp. given the level of crapola that is on TV around here, and impressed that she doesn't feel she needs a boob job and cheek implants and Botox lips with a low cut shirt in order to get ratings. Such a breath of fresh air!
Post a Comment