Nagui
Encyclopedia
Nagui Fam is an Egypt
ian-born French
TV and radio personality of Egyptian
and Italian descent. In his professional life, he goes by his first name Nagui.
. His family left Egypt in 1967 and Nagui has never returned. His Greek Orthodox
Egypt
ian father was a university professor of French literature
, and his mother was a professor of classical studies. After a period in Aix-en-Provence
and in North America
the family settled in Cannes
in the French département of Alpes-Maritimes
.
During the 1980s he escaped his commercial studies at HEC by participating in pirate radio
(such as Radio Vintimille), and created, in 2004, a radio of his own: Loisirs AM. In 1988, he was hired by the French radio network RTL
.
His television career began in 1987 on M6, and switched to TF1
in 1989. He became well known at the beginning of the 1990s with his game show Que le meilleur gagne (May the Best One Win) on La Cinq, which he carried over to France 2
, which he joined in May 1992. His fame has been marked by frenetic humour in the part-parody
N'oubliez pas votre brosse à dents (Don't Forget Your Toothbrush
) or by a much more laid-back tone in the more serious Que le meilleur gagne. The former has received some harsh criticism, notably for using a pistol-shaped microphone to question the show's contestants. L'Appel de la couette (Invitation to the Duvet) has received similar criticisms form TV critics as it welcomes celebrity guests in their pyjamas, reclining in bed.
It is in the year 1993 that he founded his own production house, Air Productions, situated at the Plaine Saint-Denis, and created a benchmark music show Taratata
where artists performed "live". This show continues to be broadcasted on both channels : France4 and France2.
In 1996, he found himself caught up in the media turmoil swirling around host/producers at France 2
. He was criticized for lucrative and advantageous clauses in contracts for his broadcasts. He then decided to host programs on the private channel TF1
, while remaining a producer on the public channel, including Taratata
.
In 1999 he attempted to take on the difficult job of succeeding Philippe Gildas and Antoine de Caunes
on the Canal+ show, Nulle part ailleurs (Nowhere Else), a role that had already defeated Guillaume Durand
.
In 2003 he returned to France 2 to present a game show, Le Coffre (The Vault
), then the revival of Intervilles (Intercity) during summer 2004.
As of 2006 he is hosting a daily game show called Tout le monde veut prendre sa place, meaning in French "Everybody wants to take his/her place" (the place being that of the current champion on the show), on France 2
. The game concept has been bought by Michael Davies
, the Power of Ten producer.
In addition, since mid December 2007, he is hosting, in the access prime time, a daily musical game show: N'oubliez pas les paroles, which is the French version of Don't Forget the Lyrics!
On radio, after co-hosting from 07:00 to 10:00 the morning show on Europe 2 (later became Virgin Radio) with Manu from September 2006 to June 2008, he is currently hosting on Europe 1
a show called Décrochez le Soleil from 09:30 to 11:00. ( Give yourself ...the Sun ).
In April 2010, a national survey carried out by strategies.fr has placed him as the nation N°1 TV host, which is confirmed by his ratings.
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian-born French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
TV and radio personality of Egyptian
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
and Italian descent. In his professional life, he goes by his first name Nagui.
Biography
Nagui was born in AlexandriaAlexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
. His family left Egypt in 1967 and Nagui has never returned. His Greek Orthodox
Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria
The Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, also known as the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the wider communion of Orthodox Christianity.Officially, it is called the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria to distinguish it from the...
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian father was a university professor of French literature
French literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
, and his mother was a professor of classical studies. After a period in Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
and in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
the family settled in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
in the French département of Alpes-Maritimes
Alpes-Maritimes
Alpes-Maritimes is a department in the extreme southeast corner of France.- History : was created by Octavian as a Roman military district in 14 BC, and became a full Roman province in the middle of the 1st century with its capital first at Cemenelum and subsequently at Embrun...
.
During the 1980s he escaped his commercial studies at HEC by participating in pirate radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
(such as Radio Vintimille), and created, in 2004, a radio of his own: Loisirs AM. In 1988, he was hired by the French radio network RTL
RTL (French radio)
In France, RTL is a popular nation-wide commercial radio network owned by the RTL Group.In 1931, Radio Luxembourg, the public radio network from Luxembourg, was privatised. Beginning in 1946, it could be heard easily in France. Until the 1980s, only the French public radio networks could transmit...
.
His television career began in 1987 on M6, and switched to TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
in 1989. He became well known at the beginning of the 1990s with his game show Que le meilleur gagne (May the Best One Win) on La Cinq, which he carried over to France 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
, which he joined in May 1992. His fame has been marked by frenetic humour in the part-parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
N'oubliez pas votre brosse à dents (Don't Forget Your Toothbrush
Don't Forget Your Toothbrush
Don't Forget Your Toothbrush is a Saturday night light entertainment show originally broadcast in the United Kingdom in 1994, and has also been adapted in Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the United States, the Netherlands and Portugal...
) or by a much more laid-back tone in the more serious Que le meilleur gagne. The former has received some harsh criticism, notably for using a pistol-shaped microphone to question the show's contestants. L'Appel de la couette (Invitation to the Duvet) has received similar criticisms form TV critics as it welcomes celebrity guests in their pyjamas, reclining in bed.
It is in the year 1993 that he founded his own production house, Air Productions, situated at the Plaine Saint-Denis, and created a benchmark music show Taratata
Taratata
Taratata is a French TV show showcasing live and pre-recorded footage of current rock acts. Presented by Nagui since its début in 1993, the show was initially shown on France 2. This show often involves surprise and unlikely duets, as well as brief interviews with the artists...
where artists performed "live". This show continues to be broadcasted on both channels : France4 and France2.
In 1996, he found himself caught up in the media turmoil swirling around host/producers at France 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
. He was criticized for lucrative and advantageous clauses in contracts for his broadcasts. He then decided to host programs on the private channel TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
, while remaining a producer on the public channel, including Taratata
Taratata
Taratata is a French TV show showcasing live and pre-recorded footage of current rock acts. Presented by Nagui since its début in 1993, the show was initially shown on France 2. This show often involves surprise and unlikely duets, as well as brief interviews with the artists...
.
In 1999 he attempted to take on the difficult job of succeeding Philippe Gildas and Antoine de Caunes
Antoine de Caunes
Antoine de Caunes is a television presenter, actor, writer and film director. He is the son of two prominent French personalities, television journalist-reporter Georges de Caunes and television announcer Jacqueline Joubert...
on the Canal+ show, Nulle part ailleurs (Nowhere Else), a role that had already defeated Guillaume Durand
Guillaume Durand
Guillaume Durand, or William Durand, , also known as Durandus, Duranti or Durantis, from the Italian form of Durandi filius, as he sometimes signed himself, was a French canonist and liturgical writer, and Bishop of Mende.-Life:He was born at Puimisson, near Béziers, of a noble family of Languedoc...
.
In 2003 he returned to France 2 to present a game show, Le Coffre (The Vault
The Vault (game show)
The Vault is a game show created in Israel , by Erez Tal. It was later a British hit on ITV, running from 2002 until 2004. It was hosted by Davina McCall , Melanie Sykes and Gabby Logan...
), then the revival of Intervilles (Intercity) during summer 2004.
As of 2006 he is hosting a daily game show called Tout le monde veut prendre sa place, meaning in French "Everybody wants to take his/her place" (the place being that of the current champion on the show), on France 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
. The game concept has been bought by Michael Davies
Michael Davies (television producer)
Michael Davies is a British producer of television game shows in the United States. As president and CEO of Embassy Row, a New York-based television production company that is a unit of Sony Pictures Television, he was the executive producer of the U.S. version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire...
, the Power of Ten producer.
In addition, since mid December 2007, he is hosting, in the access prime time, a daily musical game show: N'oubliez pas les paroles, which is the French version of Don't Forget the Lyrics!
Don't Forget the Lyrics!
Don't Forget the Lyrics! is a game show that originally aired on Fox from July 11, 2007 to June 19, 2009, hosted by Wayne Brady and produced by RDF USA, part of RDF Media. The launch of this show prompted NBC to move up the launch of their similar game show The Singing Bee...
On radio, after co-hosting from 07:00 to 10:00 the morning show on Europe 2 (later became Virgin Radio) with Manu from September 2006 to June 2008, he is currently hosting on Europe 1
Europe 1
Europe 1, formerly known as Europe n° 1, is a privately owned radio network created in 1955. It is one of the leading French radio broadcasters and heard throughout France...
a show called Décrochez le Soleil from 09:30 to 11:00. ( Give yourself ...the Sun ).
In April 2010, a national survey carried out by strategies.fr has placed him as the nation N°1 TV host, which is confirmed by his ratings.