In a dramatic turn of events within the French television landscape, tensions between notable figures Thierry Ardisson and Laurent Baffie have resurfaced, bringing to light past controversies and public apologies. On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, during his appearance on the talk show C à Vous, Ardisson addressed his rocky relationship with Baffie, which has been marred by accusations of sexism and machismo, echoing sentiments from their shared history on the show Tout le monde en parle.
Ardisson and Baffie, who co-hosted Tout le monde en parle from 1998 to 2006, have found themselves embroiled in a feud that has reignited following Baffie's recent comments on the show Quelle époque!. On April 13, Baffie expressed regret for his past behavior, stating, "C'était le reflet d'une époque où on était plus sexiste, machiste et con," which translates to "It was a reflection of a time when we were more sexist, macho, and stupid." This admission has not sat well with Ardisson, who has publicly criticized Baffie's attempt to distance himself from their past actions.
During his appearance on C à Vous, Ardisson recounted a phone call he had with Baffie after the latter's appearance on Léa Salamé's show, where Baffie reportedly admitted he had "merdé," or messed up. Ardisson quipped, "I told him, 'Yes, but you put me in the sauce anyway!'" indicating that while Baffie's apology was appreciated, the fallout from his comments still affected him.
Despite Baffie's attempts at reconciliation, the atmosphere between the two remains charged. Ardisson has not shied away from expressing his disdain for Baffie's public admissions of guilt, stating, "He was earning 10,000 balles per week and now he comes to spit in the soup by saying we were stupid and macho. Listen, you’re nice: stupid and macho, you’re talking for yourself. I’m neither stupid nor macho. I’m Thierry Ardisson." This remark underscores the ongoing tension and the difficulty of mending their fractured friendship.
On the same day, Baffie attempted to clarify his comments during his own appearance on C à Vous, stating, "I was at Léa Salamé's, I apologized to the people I may have hurt. There are very few, but there are." He further clarified that his use of the term "we" was generic and did not specifically include Ardisson, attempting to sidestep the implications of his earlier remarks.
The situation escalated further when Laurent Ruquier, also a guest on C à Vous, criticized Baffie for apologizing to Ardisson. Ruquier remarked, "It's huge that you apologize to Thierry, who is the first to throw nastiness at you, at me, at everyone he has worked with." This comment drew attention to the longstanding rivalries and tensions that exist within the French television industry.
While Baffie has made efforts to extend an olive branch, Ardisson's sharp retorts suggest that the wounds from their past collaborations are far from healed. Ardisson's humor, often biting, was evident when he teased about having prepared a joke about Ruquier but chose not to share it, hinting at the underlying animosity. He quipped, "I went to buy his book this morning because I was very interested in the huge scoop in his book: he is homosexual." This comment, while humorous, also highlights the complexities of their relationships and the competitive nature of their professions.
As both men continue to navigate their careers in the public eye, the question remains whether true reconciliation is possible. With both having significant literary projects at the forefront of their careers, their interactions are likely to remain a focal point in media discussions. Ardisson's book, titled L'homme en noir, and Ruquier's recent publication, Vies secrètes, have brought them back into the limelight, but it seems their personal conflicts are as prominent as their professional endeavors.
The ongoing saga between Ardisson, Baffie, and Ruquier serves as a reminder of the intricate and often tumultuous relationships that define the world of French television. Given the public nature of their disputes and the media's keen interest, it is likely that this story will continue to unfold, with both humor and tension interwoven into the narrative of their careers.
In the end, while apologies and clarifications have been made, the underlying tensions suggest that the road to reconciliation is fraught with challenges. As Ardisson himself noted, the matter might be closed for now, but the dynamics between these television personalities remain a captivating narrative for audiences and fans alike.
