Published at 12:56 am. Updated at 8:00 a.m.
What particularly appeals to you about Every Second Counts?
It's more than just a game; It's a suspense film, it's a reality TV…
It's a well-known fact: in Quebec we don't like harassment. However, the “Every Second Counts” format creates situations that encourage confrontations. When watching the foreign versions of the format, did you notice a difference in the attitude of Quebec competitors? Are we running away from confrontation?
It is true that in Quebec we are less fond of harassment. But I would say that as soon as money is involved, the argument can flare up very quickly. There was a show where I stopped listening to what was being said to me through the headset. I have completely withdrawn from my role as a moderator. People argued so much… I ended up on my knees on the floor! I shouldn't intervene. I should give the participants as much time to think as they want. But I watched the seconds tick by and thought, “Hey, guys!” Time flies! »
In each episode of Every Second Counts, after the first round of questions, the four players must vote to eliminate one player. The first episode reminded me of the first season of Star Académie and your deep discomfort during the first elimination, when the academics had to use a show of hands to choose who they wanted to see go. Do you remember that?
Surely ! I will remember this for the rest of my life! For me it remains a nightmare. After the show, I left the stage, took off my microphone and said: “Never again!” » Star Académie was a format that I acquired during my business with Endemol. We had to respect the rules, but after witnessing the exclusion of a singer live, I thought: “They can sue me if they want, but it's over: we're changing this!” » Because it contradicted my values.
Are you coping better with a situation like this 20 years later?
It's less painful because Every Second Counts is a game while Star Académie is a talent competition. But I still insisted that we give a gift to whoever goes first. We only do that in Quebec!
PHOTO BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY NOOVO
Julie Snyder at the helm of Every Second Counts
What would have been your strength as a participant in “Every Second Counts”?
My general culture. It is important to me. I come from a humble family but we were rich in culture. My mother bought me used books. At school I was the substitute on the Budding Geniuses team. And when I took the test that we give to Every Second Counts candidates, I got 23 out of 25. I was very proud.
You don't need to have good general knowledge to excel at Every Second Counts. Even big mouths can come out on top. And you have a big mouth…
Yes, I don't have a big mouth, but I want to stand out with my good answers.
Quebec's media is in crisis. As a privileged witness to the television industry since the 1980s, does the current situation concern you?
Yes. In my entire career I have never seen anything so big. This is very, very, very worrying. There is an advertising recession. Everyone feels it.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Julie Snyder
You got your first television contract in 1983. Did you celebrate your 40th career anniversary last year?
NO.
For what ?
Because there are currently things in my private life that are keeping me very busy. [Son divorce avec Pierre Karl Péladeau n’est pas encore finalisé.] Things that stop me from celebrating. That makes me sad.
Fourth of July Week ended last April after four seasons on Noovo. Are you watching Marc Labrèche's show?
Yes. I really like it. I actually took part in it.
Do you think we'll ever see a daily primetime talk show again?
NO. I watched “The Tower” on TVA. It worked out well, but after two years, Patrick [Huard] I decided to stop because it was too crowded. He did 52 hours of television a year. At 1.75 m tall, I was 104. I wasn't on the verge of exhaustion; I was exhausted. I loved hosting Fourth of July Week, but it was too much.
Will Double Occupancy return next fall?
I don't have an answer to this question.
What can we wish you for 2024?
May Every Second Count succeed. And that I have time to live a life. I haven't always been able to enjoy it in recent years because I've had to overcome some difficult challenges.
Noovo presents Every Second Counts starting Monday at 8 p.m.
Every second counts: the rules
PHOTO BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY NOOVO
Every second counts
Every Second Counts is an adaptation of the British format Divided and lives up to its name. Four strangers form a team to win thousands of dollars. For each general knowledge question, they have 60 seconds to give a group answer. The more seconds pass, the lower the prize money becomes. But be careful: for every wrong answer, the total amount is halved.
After the first round of questions, participants must eliminate one of them to complete the three-way game.
At the end of the game they have to divide their winnings into three unequal shares of 10%, 30% and 60%. To make this decision, they have 100 seconds to agree, and the longer the deliberation drags on, the more their winnings disappear.
Directed by Raphaël Malo (Les enfants de la télé) and produced by Trio Orange (La tour, Les poilus) in collaboration with Bell Media, the first season comprises 13 episodes.
Another detail to note: Julie Snyder's eldest son, Thomas, 18, is questions editor for the show. “He’s a budding genius champion. There are hockey moms, there are soccer moms… I'm a budding “genius” mom. I used to go to tournaments all the time and cheer loudly. He was ashamed of me,” says the host.
Recordings for Every Second Counts will last until March. Those interested can register at noovo.ca.