“When I was younger, I didn’t understand why I was more sensitive than the others,” explains comedian Jarry, 44, on the Paris stage of the Club de l’Etoile, where he came on April 25 to present his “Big Show” – at least half, the one already canned. “It reminds me of my debut, when I played in front of a half-full room,” he laughs in front of the sparse audience of journalists and friends present to watch the screening.

Today, he attributes his hypersensitivity to several factors: his homosexuality – he came out at age 26 – ; his joy in being a father, since the birth by GPA of his 5-year-old twins, whom he nicknames “Vic” and “Tim”; his humor, spicy on stage, but that the target audience accepts, because it is him. Jarry, on the other hand, does not yet have the leather tanned enough to face the wickedness of the world of television on a daily basis. So he has distanced himself and lives “1,000 km from Paris”.

Saying your love and your weaknesses can make you smile, laugh or cry. Jarry has also distributed packets of tissues in the room, and the most surprising thing is that they will be used. The viewer must therefore be prepared to experience an “emotional lift”. However, warns the artist, “theatrically, there are 83 emotions”.

The real stars are the unknowns

The production was inspired by the British “Big Show” presented by the exuberant Michael McIntyre (7.9 million viewers until 2019 on BBC One). But less delirious and more moving. We thus find the sketch where the host borrows from his guest, installed on the balcony with his relatives, his telephone to reveal to the public the SMS and photos it contains. With, instead of the ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton (received in 2019 by the BBC), the actress Laëtitia Milot and her mother.

The concept is complex. He shuffles “Surprise on hold!” “, hidden camera with great spectacle created by the Quebecer Marcel Béliveau (until 1999), “Sacred evening” (with Jean-Pierre Foucault from 1987 to 1994, then from 2007 to 2009), a karaoke, with an ounce of “Ecole des fans”, by Jacques Martin, Jarry’s favorite show. Besides the guest on the balcony, Amir contributes karaoke with deadpan kindness, as one of her hits is methodically butchered.

The real stars here are the unknowns. Originally from a small village, in Rablay-sur-Layon (600 inhabitants, in Maine-et-Loire), Jarry was seduced by the idea of ​​producing a program that talks about people, which did not exist, if not in games like “Don’t forget the lyrics”, with Nagui, on France 2, or “Koh-Lanta”, with Denis Brogniart, on TF1. “It’s because I love people that I left TF1,” says the comedian, who had worked there since 2016 (“Vendredi, tout est permis”, with Arthur, “Mask Singer”, as a member of the jury).

Leaving TF1 is not the only risk taken by Jarry, who plays on the wire. Sensitivity should not turn into sentimentality. “‘The Big Show’ is more tiring than a show. Because there is a risk that it misses,” he acknowledges.

“The Big Show” induces more “big shoots” and “big investments”. So we feel a certain excitement in the authorities of the public service, which warmly welcomes Jarry, after six years of absence. It prevents. Only two “Big Shows” have been filmed (the second will be with Pascal Obispo). Afterwards, if the ratings are bad, it will be A ciao!