Posted at 8:15am
Philippe Laguë: The radio marathon runner
You may be among the tens of thousands of listeners who can listen to the characters of the show See You Next Week every Saturday as they sift through the news in all its forms. Launched in September 2008, this meeting continues to seduce those who appreciate the caustic gaze.
This concept, which brings together actor-impersonators, a musician and a sound designer around a guy trying to host a public affairs magazine, quickly became ICI Première’s flagship show.
A result that pleases the bosses of public broadcasters, but makes some colleagues wince for whom the program is too “easy” for a public broadcaster. As a gentleman, Philippe Laguë avoids the subject. “We are encouraged by several colleagues. Pénélope McQuade came to us a few days ago to tell us she loves the show,” he says simply.
And yet, if there’s anyone who could be removed from the See You Next Week team, it’s Penelope McQuade. Like Manon Massé, Gaétan Barrette, Anne-France Goldwater or Jean-Paul Daoust, she is regularly the subject of a cartoonish imitation made with a mixture of acid and honey. This cocktail probably explains why the team receives very few complaints from the “victims”.
Born by chance
Legends often hide behind great successes. The show See you next week has its own because that concept was born by accident. During the 10th anniversary of the defunct Macadam Tribu program, Philippe Laguë used the audience’s presence to create a sketch, adding sound effects and surrounding himself with other collaborators (Stéphane Leclair, Émilie Dubreuil, Annie Desrochers, etc.).
In the room were two bosses, Louise Lantagne and Jean-François Rioux. “They came to me to tell me they loved it. Since I had had this idea in my head for a long time, I drove to them on Monday morning. They gave me the green light. When Pierre Verville came on board, I knew it would work. I had a large size with me. »
This tandem was joined by Michèle Deslauriers and Pierre Lebeau. The latter was later replaced by Pierre Brassard, then by Dominic Paquette. “Dominic brought us a different audience and different colours,” adds Philippe Laguë.
The preparation of the individual programs takes up a lot of the team week. After a brainstorming session on Friday, the authors plunge into intensive writing and reading work that lasts from Monday to Wednesday.
The actors get involved too. “They often add ideas during rehearsals that precede the recording on Thursday,” explains Philippe Laguë.
The texts are retouched up to the last minute. However, they will be presented to Radio-Canada’s attorneys. “Over time, we understood what we cannot say,” says Philippe Laguë. I try not to talk about people’s personal lives. And when I know someone isn’t feeling well, I prefer to wait a little longer until it’s over. »
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The team behind the show “See you next week” wowed the audience while recording their 450th episode.
hundred characters
With 20 editions per edition, Philippe Laguë estimates the number of sketches written so far at 9,000. More than a hundred real or fictional characters bring these moments of madness to life. “We must write after the characters that are mastered in imitation. When I have an idea for a new one, the actors ask me to work on it for about three weeks. »
They come back with proposals that mostly impress Philippe Laguë. “When Christine Beaulieu became popular at J’aime Hydro, I asked Véronique Claveau to work on it,” he says. She came back to me with a copycat. »
Several factors play a role in the lifespan of these characters.
When politicians stop being politicians, things fall, we feel that. This is less true for vaudeville artists like Ginette Reno. However, you never know how long a character will live. Some are good for six capsules and some are good for six years.
Philip Lague
In fact, we realize it’s the personalities themselves that determine if they’ll be on Saturday’s show. “It’s safe, if Éric Duhaime leaves, we’ll say all right! “Release the host laughing.
As a young man, Philippe Laguë often heard from certain people that he would never be able to do radio “with the voice he had”. It was a misunderstanding for someone who has long been passionate about sports. “I’ve always told myself that I shouldn’t give these obstacles any importance. I’m a marathon runner. I figured I’d wear them out. »
In addition to the fear of being excluded from this profession, Philippe Laguë was more afraid of feeling remorse. “I didn’t want to be listening to the radio at 60 and thinking I could have done what I heard. I tackled it resolutely and surrounded myself well. I’m not afraid to say it, I’m a good guy. We never fought within the team. We call each other, we talk to each other and we tell each other that we love each other. »
Sounds, voices, words… it’s radio!
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The show’s staff See you in front of the public next week during taping of the 450th episode
About 300 people invaded Studio C and part of the atrium of Radio-Canada’s Nouvelle Maison last Thursday night to witness the taping of the 450th episode of See You Next Week to mark the end of its 15th season. So there was magic in the air.
I looked around. Could we speak of “an audience”? I don’t think so. It was very varied. We’re obviously in the 7-77 year old category.
I shared the table with a family whose two children seemed to know every character on the show. They laughed heartily, even if a few crude Ginette Reno gags left them perplexed.
Being part of the See You Next Week taping is a great experience. It allows us to discover the imposing device used every week to create this program. On the left side of the stage, the sound designer Alain Collin is developing in front of a multitude of objects that allow him to create sound environments in real time.
When the actors compose with mountains of text, it is clear that those who practice a profession that is as rare as it is fascinating depend on a real score. For an hour he goes from one device to another, poking at one, scratching or shaking the other.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The noisemaker Alain Collin
If, like me, you thought most of the sound effects were pre-recorded, think again. Alain Collin works as he did in the radio novel days of the 1940s and 1950s.
To the right of the stage, the pianist Nadine Turbide will conduct the music. She was surrounded by Dany Ranallo (guitars) and Marie-Josée Frigon (saxophones). We are not idle on this side either. The many musical bridges that ensure the transitions between the numbers, as well as the music of the songs performed by certain actors (Véronique Claveau and Pierre Verville, among others), all benefit from the talent of these musicians, one of their qualities is knowledge , how to decode dozens of scores every month.
Installed in the middle of the stage, the animator Philippe Laguë first prepares the audience to “put them into play”. We are told that when Manon Massé mentions an amount of 13 billion, we must chorus that “it’s free”.
Then, after making us applaud vigorously to allow the sound engineers to make some adjustments, Philippe Laguë launches the famous “Let the comedians in”. Cheering from the crowd, Michèle Deslauriers, Véronique Claveau, Pierre Verville, Dominic Paquette, Benoit Paquette and Pierre Brassard entered the audience.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The musicians of the show See you next week
Viewers were thrilled to see the flesh and blood of those who enter their kitchens every weekend. “It’s going to be the best camp in town,” Philippe Laguë told me when I spoke to him earlier this week. The extended family will be there. It touches me deeply. »
Once the show’s theme is underway, the team does not rush into the skits without a certain frenzy. Of course, not everything always flows from the source. You stumble over a word, a door won’t open, the music is slow… It’s part of the reality of a recording. We stop, we move on, and we rely on director Marie Cayer to fix the problem during the edit.
The show you’re about to hear this weekend has an “anniversary formula.” We wanted to hear as many characters as possible to highlight the 15 seasons. Philippe Laguë calls this the “catch-all method”. The presenter is often interrupted during the show by Justin Trudeau, Patrice Roy, Micheline Lanctôt, Mariana Mazza, Denise Bombardier and many others.
I set out to rate each of the featured characters and had to stop at 58. That’s what it’s supposed to tell you. “You have to be careful when writing because we tend to do a lot of it,” Philippe Laguë told me.
Speaking of lyrics, it’s absolutely necessary to name those who write each week with the host: Janel Leclerc, Pierre-Yves Drouin and Jean-François Pierre. They are joined by Cassandre Charbonneau-Jobin, Gaël Corboz, Philippe Meilleur and Guy A. St-Cyr. Pascal Lavoie is the script editor.
This is proof that this program is primarily based on words, beyond voices and sounds.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Several characters have shaped the show See You Next Week over the years.
Some notable characters
Lise Theriault-Michelle Deslauriers
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Michele Deslauriers
The excellent Michèle Deslauriers had a great success with Lise Thériault’s dictation. “When it was announced, the public screamed,” says Philippe Laguë. The actress also stores Ginette Reno, Denise Filiatraut, Valérie Plante and Manon Massé.
Justin TrudeauPierre Verville
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Pierre Verville
A true virtuoso of imitation in Quebec, Pierre Verville shines as Justin Trudeau, but also as Jacques Villeneuve, Vincent Guzzo, Charles Aznavour, Richard Desjardins and François Legault.
Gaetan Hair Clip (Dominic Paquette)
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Dominik Paquette
“We brought him to Kashmir from Led Zeppelin to highlight his overweight,” says Philippe Laguë. It doesn’t seem far away, but we couldn’t do that today. Dominic Paquette is also Dan Bigras, Monsieur Shipping and Mario Pelchat.
Celine Dion (Veronique Claveau)
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Veronique Claveau
Véronique Claveau, impersonator and singer, inherited several singing roles, including those of Céline Dion and Brigitte Boisjoli. She also perfectly impersonates Pénélope McQuade, Christine Beaulieu and Sonia Benezra.
Charles Tisseyre-Pierre Brassard
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Pierre Brassard
Pierre Brassard shines in the role of Charles Tisseyre. “We let him have all sorts of adventures,” says Philippe Laguë. He slept in a spoon with the yeti in his lair. The former Bleu Poudre also offers Fabrice Lucchini, Yves Lambert and Gilles Vigneault.
Richard Martinau (Benoit Paquette)
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Benoit Paquette
It’s not easy representing columnist Richard Martineau. The impressive chameleon Benoît Paquette accomplishes this feat. The comedian impersonator is also the one behind Mario Dumont and Bernard Drainville.
Amede Brisebois (Philippe Lague)
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Philip Lague
Philippe Laguë embodies Amédé Brisebois, that extreme right-wing guy created at the time of Macadam Tribu. “Reality is catching up to him,” said the host. I would have to redirect it. He also loves doing Fun Fournier and Jean-Paul Daoust.
See you next week, Saturday, 11 a.m., ICI Premiere. Also airs Sundays at 4pm.