Let Them Eat Cake Somewhere Else

Sacre bleu! There’s about to be another revolution in Paris, and what’s more, it’s taking place very close to the site of the original.

But the reason for the gathering unrest this time around has nothing to do with political or social inequality. 

Rather, in a lamentable sign of our times, it’s all about Reality TV. 

Residents of the elegant Marais district in Paris, mere streets away from Place de la Bastille, are aghast at plans to move filming of French TV series, Star Academy, to one of the historic townhouses that are a hallmark of the area.

The programme, which follows the same format as the UK’s short-lived Fame Academy, sees singing hopefuls undergo classes and rehearsals before performing to a live audience and then facing a public vote.

And, just like in our version, it’s previously been filmed in grand mansions on the outskirts of the city – presumably for very good reason. Potential soundproofing failures, for example.

So you have to feel sorry for the Marais Mob, who are concerned that their daily lives will be disrupted by the onslaught of TV crews and the cluster of caterwauling wannabees.

Still, there’s one group that are sure to be delighted by all this entente dis-cordiale: those long-standing critics of the reality genre who have been claiming for years that it’d all end in blood and tears. 

The new series of Star Academy is due to start on September 19: watch this space.

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