Guy Jodoin on a Lifetime Immersed in Television: From Bobino to Le Tricheur
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Television’s pervasive influence on modern culture is undeniable, but for Quebecois artist guy Jodoin, that influence wasn’t merely observational – it was formative. Jodoin, currently in his 15th and final year hosting the popular game show Le Tricheur, credits his extensive childhood viewing habits as the bedrock of his creative sensibility. “It’s unfeasible to imagine how much I watched television,” Jodoin stated, acknowledging the profound impact the “small screen” had on shaping his comedic outlook.
Early Influences: French-Language Programming and a Battle for the Remote
Jodoin’s early television diet began in a unique bilingual environment. Attending English-language kindergarten,he was concurrently exposed to French-language programming designed to reinforce his linguistic skills. He recalls being captivated by shows like Bobino,La Ribouldingue,Grujot et Délicat,and le Grenier with Gérard Poirier. A later encounter with Poirier during a radio-Canada improvisation workshop proved pivotal. Poirier’s advice – “Be unique” – initially struck Jodoin as simplistic, but he later understood it as a call to cultivate an individual voice and avoid imitation.
Hockey Nights and a Saturday Ritual
Saturday evenings were a cherished ritual, beginning with Bagatelle followed by La Soirée canadienne and, crucially, hockey. Jodoin’s fandom centered around Yvan cournoyer, but the arrival of Guy Lafleur sparked a playful rivalry within his family. “My brothers couldn’t take him because his first name was Guy,” Jodoin explained, leading to a self-proclaimed “star” status within his own living room. Despite being asthmatic and only scoring one goal in his own hockey career, Jodoin found vicarious fulfillment through Lafleur’s success.
The Comedic DNA: Symphorien, Latulippe, and Absurdist Humor
Jodoin identifies several key figures who profoundly influenced his comedic style. He cites Symphorien as a important early inspiration, but it was Gilles Latulippe, whom he discovered through television, who truly ignited his passion for the medium. “He was brilliant, good-looking, and had fun,” Jodoin recalled, adding that Latulippe inspired him to pursue a career not of work, but of play. His absurdist humor, he notes, was further shaped by shows like Pop Citrouille, La Fricassée, and Court circuit. He also deeply admired the work of Janette, stating he “learned everything I had to learn” from her. he also frequently listened to Les Tannants.
A Devoted Viewer: An “Egocentric” Habit
Jodoin’s dedication to television was all-consuming. “I listened to television like you can’t even imagine,” he confessed, describing a nightly “plan of attack” to secure viewing time from 7 PM to 9 PM. He actively sought out the best programming across all channels, curating his own personalized viewing experiance.
Currently, Guy Jodoin is not only at the helm of Le Tricheur for its final season, airing weekdays at 6:30 PM on TVA, but also appears in the series La dernière communion, portraying a religious brother alongside Jean-Pierre Bergeron and Fayolle Jean. The series is available for streaming on [platform name omitted]. His decades-long career is a testament to the enduring power of television – not just as a source of entertainment, but as a wellspring of inspiration and a defining force in shaping a creative life.
