Television critic Aldo Grasso has ignited controversy following his sharp critique of Alberto Angela's Christmas special, 'Stanotte a Roma.' Aired on Rai 1 on December 25, 2023, the program, part of Angela's acclaimed series featuring iconic Italian cities, has been met with mixed reactions. Grasso's commentary, which was published on December 26, has since sparked significant backlash on social media from Angela's fervent fans.
Grasso, writing for Corriere della Sera, characterized 'Stanotte a Roma' as akin to 'una cartolina' — or 'a postcard' — criticizing its lack of realism. 'Niente traffico, niente spazzatura, niente cantieri,' he remarked, meaning there was 'no traffic, no garbage, no construction sites.' This sharp observation suggests Grasso believes the show paints a falsely idyllic picture of the capital city. His critique continued, as he accused Angela of trying to romanticize commonplaces, comparable to musician Claudio Baglioni, stating, 'Con i suoi viaggi nelle città italiane, Alberto Angela assomiglia molto a Baglioni: cerca di rendere poetico il luogo comune.' This translates to Angela resembling Baglioni, who he feels attempts to make the ordinary seem poetic.
Furthering his critique, Grasso dismissed the aesthetics of the show itself, referring to it as reminiscent of 'sopperte' television aimed at children, describing it as, 'Sembra un reperto della 'Tv dei ragazzi.' He evaluated the contributions of actors Giancarlo Giannini and Edoardo Leo as uninspired, labeling their performances as 'interpretazioni un po’ buttate via.'
The public reaction to Grasso's remarks has been vociferous. Social media erupted with supporters defending Angela against Grasso's criticisms. Fans have described Angela as 'una bellissima persona, quanto lo era il padre,' referencing his father's legacy as well as Angela's dedication to making culture accessible without pretension. Many felt Grasso's remarks were harsh and out of touch, remarking, 'Stupiscono queste parole di Grasso, molte fuori luogo.' Some users likened Grasso's critique to the infamous jabs made by retired tennis player Nicola Pietrangeli, stating, 'Aldo Grasso è il Nicola Pietrangeli dei critici, with parallels drawn between disparaging remarks made toward younger athletes.
Grasso's original critique was noted for being especially scathing, with phrases like, 'Era una Roma by night per zombi,' describing the program as if it catered to the 'walking dead,' indicating it was dull for viewers. The article's first draft even included references to Angela being 'Angela junior' and the 'piccolo Angela' — which were later omitted from the print version. After widespread criticism, modifications were made to the article to soften its tone, replacing the more drastic critiques with more measured commentary. For example, the phrase about Angela's supposed parody of his father was amended from 'si accorgerebbe di fare la parodia di suo padre Piero' to 'si accorgerebbe che ci sono forme di racconto più moderne,' changing the meaning significantly.
Despite the changes, the divide between Angela's fans and Grasso seems insurmountable. Angela's legacy as one of Italy's foremost cultural educators remains intact, with his shows regularly drawing millions of viewers. His ability to present history and culture engagingly has earned him countless fans who rally behind him, as evidenced by their protests against Grasso’s unsupported interpretations.
Criticism of television programming is nothing new; still, the intense responses to Grasso's critiques indicate just how beloved Angela has become among the viewing public. Whatever direction 'Stanotte a Roma' takes post-critique, it's clear Angela's ability to captivate the audience has solidified his place as one of Italy's national treasures. How Grasso's words will affect Angela's future remains to be seen, but the overwhelming support for the presenter suggests his legacy will endure.
