Girls vs. Guys in The Fury: Is It Outdated?

Anyway, that’s the reflection the host, Véronique Cloutier, has had for months. “This is an idea I pitched to my team in May, before the holidays. Nothing fixed at the moment. But hey, I wonder about the gender of it all. »

When she stops animating angerIn 2003, Véronique Cloutier had a 3-month-old baby. The experience with her three children shaped her.

Same story with the show’s producer, Louis Morissette. “It’s a little bit of this idea of ​​putting in a man-woman concept Old school. It has a 1990s feel and I don’t want to make an old TV in 2024.

Véronique Cloutier hopes that this orientation, if it ever happens, will be better understood by the public. “We try to raise our children outside of certain stereotypes. We are told that no matter what they are, they can do whatever they want. This is what we have to remember. »

The presenter had the opportunity to discuss this topic with friends this summer. “When we announced this special, people immediately asked me a question: Are you still going to do Men vs. Women? Whether we’re for or against, we feel the spirit of the times has changed. »

Initially, I was told (from a reliable source) that this request came from the management of Radio-Canada, which would be perfectly logical. The state-owned company has adopted a strong inclusion and diversity policy in recent years.

Louis Morissette assures me that the idea came from him and his crew. “It’s not pressure from the broadcaster. It’s a little old-fashioned, that thing. We decided to dust it off. » He adds that if the “guys against women” formula is maintained, the management of Radio-Canada will not oppose it.

The public broadcaster said, “The production is still considering the formula for the next special edition. anger “. “We are open to their proposals,” wrote Guillain O’Farrell, the first director, internal and external strategy, to me. Regardless of the chosen formula, we think there will be pleasure. »

The captains of both the teams will be announced soon. In October, we will recognize members of both teams and guest artists. “I can say that the players will be there and we will make a combination,” said Louis Morissette.

My first reaction when I learned that we were considering removing this fight between boys and girls was to think we were doing too much. anger A game that entertains an audience of two clans based on gender in their living room, like playing mime or guessing with friends on a Saturday evening.

But at a time when notions of diversity and identity are radically changing our perspectives, is it still relevant to create such clear categories? I don’t believe it.

I know people who think that transgender, pansexual, non-binary, bisexual or fluid people have too much space in society might tear their shirts off.

“What I expect is that the debate about gender identity will get out of hand,” says Véronique Cloutier. That is not the idea. It is a gender equality issue. Do we still wonder if boys or girls are better? However, whatever decision we make, it is sure to be talked about. »

Louis Morissette has already faced some “headwinds” in her career and expects the decision to divide the public. “And that’s 2024. On one side or the other, things have to be absorbed. »

This discussion is reminiscent of the creation of non-gender categories in Gemini. After a year of controversy, the administration returned to a gender formula for acting awards. Over-eagerness of decision-makers is harmful.

In the case angerIt’s not quite the same thing. It is TV entertainment that has no bearing on serious voting and is not based on any rules. First, let’s point out that the rights to this project belong to the European company Endemol, and Louis Morissette is completely free to make this change.

The real question: Basically, what difference does it make when two mixed teams compete? Wherever players like Sebastien Benoit or Elise Marquis end up, we want them to have the right answers and for their team to win.

In fact, Louis Morissette’s big concern at the moment is finding a studio to record the show, which will undoubtedly be widely watched. With the legendary Studio 42 gone, Radio-Canada’s new premises cannot accommodate such a large program. This is a significant concern.