‘I grew up with the De Amicis Libro cuore, with values that are a little dusty, smelling of arsenic and old lace. Add to that the fact that I love justice, I’m honest to the point of self-harm, and I’m also stubborn, and you have an explosive mix.” This mix also ensures a certain cynicism in Tiberio Timperi, tempered by a good dose of irony and a sensitivity that also conveys something else. A little disappointment, for example.
‘Yes, I am very disappointed in humanity. Since I was a kid they called me Tiberius the old man but I could never care about the wrong things I see, I can’t put it all behind me and pretend nothing happened».
Is “Tiberius the Elder” born or made?
«A lot depends on the upbringing I received from my parents: they were very honest, dialectical, they instilled in me certain values. I was an only child and today I say that I wouldn’t mind a notary calling me and knowing that I’m actually not alone. I wish I had brothers, someone to ask, do you remember if I had measles?
Didn’t it shape you so much to have siblings?
‘I’m used to getting by on my own, but then we’re born alone and we die alone. There’s a kind of black optimism in knowing that life isn’t fair and time isn’t a gentleman.’
The optimism is a bit elusive.
“Then we call it a veil of loving melancholy.”
Do you feel that you are technically not properly understood?
“I think I have potential that hasn’t been fully explored yet. But it just happens. Let’s assume that lately there is less and less willingness to take risks, instead we opt for safe used ones. I know everything I’ve done.”
His television career has spanned over thirty years.
“Merit got me to a certain point, but then I stopped there. My inability to go out to dinner or do PR took a toll. When they tell me to do something, I suffer. Oh, I love the mountains.’
How do you remember your beginnings?
«After radio, my first passion, I ended up in Telemontecarlo, while in Rai I arrived with an audition unthinkable in the era of public relations on the Roman terraces. One of the things I’m proud of is that I created the cover night in Sanremo top: I challenge anyone to prove that it didn’t happen that way. Then others used the idea.”
Did beauty matter to you?
“Sure. People used to be preferred who, in addition to vocabulary, offered a certain grace and the famous good looks. But I never felt beautiful: up to a certain age I was quite chubby and pimply, I liked to make noise in society, but I didn’t conquer girls so easily».
However, among his loved ones there is also the dream of many, Natasha Hovey.
“I had read one of his interviews in which he said he was looking for Prince Charming and made a list of his characteristics: I found myself there. I had to go to the Costanzo show in an episode she was in, but Fede (it was Rg4 time) didn’t give me the green light. So I managed to get her number…what can I say it was a good time I have a wonderful memory of a girl with a unique sweetness. Every time I see Acqua e Soap again I think of us in Campo de’ Fiori».
Can you see he’s a romantic?
‘A romantic who got stuck in a series of setups along the way. I had to row and finally got caught in a storm: some trees fell, but I survived. And when something goes wrong, you also know your worth. But I still have scratches on my heart, not just on my skin.”
Is the reference to his painful divorce?
“From a certain moment my life took a different direction: it was very, very difficult, but that’s okay. I have other destinies, such as B. not to work: Actually, I only indulge in my passion. My friends recently said to me: Tiberius, you have achieved your dreams compared to us. It’s great to have a memory. I spent 15, 18 years that would have killed anyone, but now I’m out: burned, swollen, but I’m still here.”
Who believed in you professionally?
«Michele Guardì, Ballandi and Jocelyn, a TV genius who should still have a place, because in our profession you don’t age, you gain experience. I’ve been fortunate to meet greats like Corrado, Rispoli, Raffaella Carrà, who are always generous with advice.”
“He told me that on TV it doesn’t matter how much I talk: a joke is enough, but said well and at the right time to make a difference.”
He also worked with Mike Bongiorno.
‘A lovely man, precise in his work but also a gentleman: when we had finished the work he sent me a letter saying he got on well with me and wished me the best of luck. It was a great pleasure to receive it on your letterhead…who would do such a thing today».
However, his first love was radio.
“You don’t need green eyes on the radio, but gossip does. I am still convinced that those who have done radio also have something special on television. I miss him a lot, but if they don’t let me do it, it’s not my fault: there are no tripes for cats.”
“Either I’m not nice or I don’t belong to any particular circle. But I don’t think I’ve forgotten it. In fact, over the years there is always something more to say, as well proved by Linus, who is the Rolls-Royce of radios».
So they don’t think you’re nice?
‘I’m nice, but I have my time to open up and everyone’s in a hurry now… I always bring my sincerity and competence as a dowry, but sometimes other qualities are needed. I have the fault of not being hypocritical, I don’t smear human contacts because of my job».
“Those of all times, who by definition are few. A former high school classmate, two childhood friends, my former principal of Telemontecarlo. I would say that’s enough.”
“Parents used to have no expectations of their children other than that they would hold the famous piece of paper for graduation. I didn’t make them happy because I started working for private radio stations when I was 14. At school I had my enlightenment during the plays: I was very good and they said to me “You should be an actor”».
Instead he became a journalist.
‘Yes, but by accident. Having always produced content for radio helped me become one: I got a degree in that field. But I also felt very comfortable as an actor, voice actor and moderator. Wherever I could, I expressed myself».
“Could the best be yet to come? Never give up, always believe. Of course you have to find someone to point at you. I keep waiting and hope I’m not being pathetic. I’d like to see one of my ideas come to fruition rather than seeing foreign formats spread. It would be nice if there was a room in Viale Mazzini, even in a basement, where we conductors could all meet. With so much bullshit, maybe something good would come of it.”
“There are things in faith, even when I see a society totally dazed by social media. We used to be outside, now the kids stay at home, they don’t even fight for a moped anymore because they’re locked in their rooms anyway. The imagination has been killed: everything is available, just a click away. But no sediment.”
But she is on social media.
‘Yes, but I don’t like smartphones, I want human contact. I remained the one who screwed up in the group. Except that at 58 you’re more disillusioned: you’ve accepted the disappointments, the improprieties, and understood that life isn’t fair. My father always said it, it’s a pity that he didn’t understand it until later. Fathers always understand each other afterwards.”
Was it really like that for her? Do you feel like you only understood after your father?
“In time I realized that he was right about everything. He belonged to the generation that didn’t erect monuments to you for your good deeds. In short, he never brought me great satisfaction in words, but after his death I found a collection of his newspaper clippings with all the newspapers that spoke about me. I didn’t expect it.’
What would you say today about this little boy with great values who entertained his classmates?
“I’d say you’re going to have to go through storms and storms, but don’t worry, however you get out of them, you’ll be fine. I think about what happened every night as I live today’s quiet days».
Would you like to fall in love again?
“They should redesign Marriage Agency for those separating at 50. I’m seriously thinking, because if it happens, what are you going to do? If you go to the disco, it could all be your children: What do I say to a 25-year-old? I would be ridiculous. In my case, there is also the danger of being approached for what I represent: Many are interested in the box, one becomes suspicious. I always hope that life will surprise me when I least expect it, but generally everyone looks for each other, few find each other and many are satisfied: I have no intention of being satisfied».
«On the contrary: I have lived my whole life alone, precisely because I believe that there is a soul mate. Compromise is not part of my vocabulary: not in my work and not even in my personal life. I’m fine on my own: if I have to be with a person, I need to feel better.”