The beloved French television game show, N'oubliez pas les paroles, took a dramatic turn earlier this week as it crowned a new Maestro, Julie, while bidding farewell to the former titleholder, Sophie.
On March 17, 2025, Sophie’s impressive eight-victory stint came to an abrupt end. Competing against her was Julie, a vibrant new candidate, who seized the coveted micro d’argent after a nail-biting finish. Sophie’s last performance went astray when she inadvertently sang the lyrics "Et toujours en été" instead of the correct "Mais toujours en été" during the song On dirait le Sud by Nino Ferrer. Despite her failure to recall the lyrics correctly, Sophie maintained a reputation for her generosity, walking away with a prize pool of 5,000 euros.
In contrast, on March 18, Florian, a previous Maestro, returned to challenge Julie. Greeted by host Nagui, Florian aimed to recapture his past glory on the show. However, his attempt to impress the audience with Louane’s Si t'étais là, which will represent France at Eurovision, led to an unanticipated moment of comedy when he struggled to recall the right lyrics.
As Florian prepared to sing, he attempted to jam to the lyrics but was caught off guard and called for assistance, directly addressing a fellow contestant, Cruella, while ignoring Nagui's helpful hints. Nagui, both bewildered and amused by the turn of events, observed, "Il se fout royalement de ce que je lui ai dit carrément !" (Translation: "He completely disregards what I just told him!"). This sparked laughter among the audience, encapsulating the lighthearted spirit of the show.
Nagui attempted to engage Florian, asking, "On est d'accord qu'il se fout royalement de ce que je lui ai dit ? Je lui pose une question, il me regarde et il fait 'Bonsoir Cruella'. Rien à faire !" (Translation: "We agree he completely disregards what I said? I ask him a question; he looks at me and goes 'Good evening, Cruella'. Nothing to do!"). The playful banter continued as Florian humorously excused himself, saying, "Pardon Nagui !" while Nagui playfully replied, “Non, trop tard. Je n’irai pas dans votre hôpital, c’est tout" (Translation: "Too late. I won't go to your hospital, that’s all!").
As the emotional grip tightened, Nagui expressed his sympathy for Sophie, whom he had seen shine during her reign. Acknowledging her struggles and commendable performances, he stated, "Je comprends ce que vous pouvez ressentir, personnellement j'en ai marre pour vous aussi (...) Vous êtes adorable, généreuse, vous voulez faire du bien aux autres" (Translation: "I understand what you might be feeling; personally, I’m tired for you too (...) You are adorable, generous; you want to help others"). This connection showcased the emotional weight the game holds for both contestants and the audience.
Julie, now at the helm as the new Maestro, seemed confident and ready to embrace the challenge ahead. Underestimating the task, she remarked on her preparation with a cheerful air, noting she had revised "à peu près" (Translation: "about") the lyrics of the songs, emphasizing the ability to enjoy the competition rather than stress over it. With her energetic interpretation of Hit the Road Jack, Julie instantly won support from both Nagui and the audience, reinforcing her role as the refreshing new face of the show.
Moreover, she cheerfully mentioned her profession as a French teacher, remarking, "Je ne vous permets pas" (Translation: "I don’t permit you") when Nagui pressed her with questions about her teaching career. Julie humorously detailed her work with students and her challenges in engaging them in literature, while also sharing her aspiration to travel to the United States—"J’aimerais partir aux États-Unis"—to visit a famous amusement park featuring a certain mouse.
With her debut victory, Julie quickly amassed 2,000 euros in her budding journey, compelling audiences to wonder how far she might go. The exchange among the contestants and Nagui highlights not only the competitive spirit intrinsic to N'oubliez pas les paroles but also the camaraderie and humorous dynamic present within the game.
As the show progresses, viewers will certainly keep an eye on Julie’s journey, anticipating whether she can build upon her promising start and if Florian will rise to the occasion again. Whether it's through emotional farewells or comical exchanges, N'oubliez pas les paroles continues to capture hearts and entertain audiences across France.
