Alessandro Cattelan is gearing up to bring his unique brand of humor and insight to the 2025 Sanremo Dopofestival, promising viewers a space filled with laughter, simmering behind-the-scenes comments, and light-hearted interaction following the main performances of Italy’s prestigious music festival. Speaking at the press room of Sanremo, Cattelan shared his vision for the upcoming event, emphasizing the importance of creating moments for 'decompression' and enjoyment.
His approach, he asserts, is rooted not only in entertainment but also in honoring the legacy of past Dopofestivals, particularly recalling those hosted by Elio e le Storie Tese and the humorous commentary style of Fiorello’s previous year. Cattelan expressed excitement over his team, stating, “We are a great team, we've done some rehearsals; the atmosphere is fun, and my aim is to create a Dopofestival reminiscent of my favorites.”
Among the regular guests of the show will be the perceptive Selvaggia Lucarelli, who will provide real-time commentary on stage performances, and fashion expert Anna Dello Russo, tasked with judging the artists' looks during the festival. Cattelan expressed confidence, stating, “With Selvaggia, we will comment on everything happening on stage,” indicating plans for engaging and insightful discussions rather than harsh criticisms.
Addressing recent speculation surrounding Fedez's potential absence from the Dopofestival, likely due to previous disputes with Lucarelli, Cattelan clarified, “I understand recent events may complicate things, but Selvaggia is intelligent and discusses many topics. When I called her, I had no knowledge of the list of Sanremo singers.” His perspective reflects the traditional pulse of the festival, acknowledging, “The controversies have always been part of Sanremo.”
On the subject of gossip, Cattelan noted, “We tend to blame those who use it, but if gossip bothers us, we should stop following it. That said, we are programmed to entertain during the Dopofestival.” The conversation leads to the notion of spontaneity as Cattelan allows performers to join at their convenience, saying, “All artists are invited, whoever has the time, energy, and desire, is more than welcome, and we know how to treat them well.”
This will be Cattelan’s debut managing the festival, one which he describes through the eyes of wonderment, “It’s the first time I’ve truly experienced the Festival—with all these people gathered waiting for someone to emerge.” The excitement is palpable, as he envisions viewers enjoying the festive atmosphere extending outside the studio, reminiscent of previous events infused with spontaneous joy. “It will be different from Fiorello’s glass approach, but it is a great way to be on the street, which is definitely entertaining,” he elaborated.
Cattelan, returning to the Rai network with renewed fervor, had previously hosted the finale of Sanremo Giovani along with Carlo Conti. This period serves as the preamble to his anticipated role on Sanremo’s final day alongside Conti and Alessia Marcuzzi. By his own admission, he feels comfortable within Rai1, responding with enthusiasm, “Yes, I always find myself well.”
With the Dopofestival, Cattelan aims to craft an environment where no topic is off-limits, humorously managing controversies as they arise, stating, “I struggle to take myself too seriously; everything becomes easier as such.” His vision is to cultivate the Dopofestival atmosphere reminiscent of its lighter iterations from years past, aiming to lighten up discussions surrounding events of the festival.
He continued, “The hope is to provide moments of lighthearted commentary, laughter, and reflection on what we anticipate will occur during the evenings.” The camaraderie among Cattelan's team indicates highly anticipated exuberance, as he optimistically urges viewers to engage with the essence of entertainment, setting the stage for unforgettable nights filled with music and laughter.
To spice up the vibe, the audience can expect performances from various artists throughout the festival nights, alongside live reactions from journalists stationed at the press room, ready to assess the evening’s happenings. The inclusion of rotating singers throughout the festival coupled with social media interaction draws connection and excitement—where Cattelan will showcase and comment on the most captivating posts and memes tagged with the official festival hashtags.
For added fun, the show will feature the return of SbancaSanremo, a game-like prediction segment where viewers can guess the fate of competing artists. This interactive element promises fun as audiences engage with their favorites and partake humorously throughout the contests.
Cattelan proposes to marry the traditional elements of Sanremo with modern trends, illustrating how the Dopofestival can evolve without losing its innate charm. The intention is clear: to facilitate entertaining discourse around Italy’s iconic music festival, creating joy and perhaps even nostalgia for those previously cherished moments.
The atmosphere is set for laughter, camaraderie, and heartfelt reflections, as the Dopofestival prepares to kick off its 2025 iteration, capturing the essence of Sanremo with new life and energy.