More than 300 loyal listeners lined up near Radio Canada’s new home early Sunday morning to say goodbye to French-language public radio’s flagship presenter Michel Désautels.
After 50 years on the radio, it was time for the last round for the man who has been at the helm of Désautels on Sundays for 10 years now. A farewell party hosted by Tout un matin host Patrick Masbourian, who did not hide his admiration for the one he considers a mentor.
It was an opportunity to look back, punctuated by audio archives, three months on the news service of a French-language radio station in Timmins – Les nouvelles Shell, with Michel Désautels, at CFCL, remembered the main stakeholder -, from its beginnings in 1973 he ran the regional station of radio -Canada in Toronto before returning to Montreal where he established himself as a presenter and hosted many stellar shows on the public broadcaster’s airwaves.
Embrace between Michel Désautels and Patrick Masbourian at the NMRC in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
True to Désautels style, however, this special program gave pride of place to the guests, many of whom came to pay tribute to the man and his career, but also to indulge in the host’s favorite sport: conversation.
From rewarding artists with chansonnier Michel Rivard, to exploring the history of Quebec and the state of its society with journalist Lise Bissonnette, to reminiscing about the Europe-Asia race with filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, Michel Désautels was able to ne I would myself during this party in his honor from asking questions and trying to understand and learn more.
“I’ve always had the impression that after an interview with Michel Désautels you come out smarter. »
— A quote from Denis Villeneuve
This fondness for dialogue and conversation was also the central theme of the homage recorded by Gilles Vigneault. “I think it’s nice when not just one of the two speaks,” summed up the singer and poet, who wished the host all the happiness of a conversation free of schedules in his retirement.
“I find that through conversations we sometimes learn a little bit about each other, but also a lot about ourselves. It’s precious, more valuable than the picture. »
– A quote from Gilles Vigneault
[La radio], it’s a discussion, a meeting, that’s how I see the job. It’s not a confrontation, agreed Michel Désautels.
You have to let things go
In an interview a few minutes before the last broadcast, the presenter took the opportunity to reflect on his 50-year career and the evolution of his profession.
Michel Rivard greeted Michel Désautels with a song.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
The radio communication between transmitter and receiver is an extraordinary thing, technically simple, which has not yet developed that much, he analyzed. What has changed is the fragmentation of platforms, which for us comes with the challenge of designing our world to remind them how much of what we offer them can’t be found anywhere else.
But he launched the reason he should never change.
Radio artists, he says, should be in the moment. This is an extremely important property. It brings spontaneity and requires sincerity and availability to the guest but also to the moment.
“It means being well prepared, but once you have a guest and a mic you have to let go. You have to leave room for improvisation. »
— A quote from Michel Désautels
For this reason, the host had set himself clear guidelines when preparing his interviews: no plan, no questions or written presentations in advance.
Michel Désautels in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
“I tell myself, if I understand what I want to do, I should be able to talk about it,” he explained. It forced me to keep a simple vocabulary, not play joe-connoisseur and stay in the moment: listen, watch and relax. At some point it becomes a sport.
And for those who are still holding the fort on the radio? If we keep that spontaneity, that immediacy and that presence, we’ve come a long way.
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