One of the most iconic shows on French television could be about to disappear from Canal+.
The satirical Les Guignols de L’Info has been broadcast on the French pay channel since 1988, taking its inspiration from the latex puppets of the UK’s Spitting Image.
Wielding the axe is billionaire boss of shareholder Vivendi, Vincent Bolloré, who hasn’t taken too kindly to 28 years of establishment mockery.
Bolloré, who counts former President Nicolas Sarkozy among his friends, is said to be determined Les Guignols should not return from their summer vacation.
Canal executives have this week been locked in talks over the future of the show and its 300 staff. On Friday the incoming president of France Télévisions, Ernotte Delphine, said the characters would be welcome on the public broadcaster.
Fans have responded with an online petition and the hashtag“#touchepasauxguignols” (hands off the guignols) has been trending on French Twitter.
