The Mammoth Evening | For a TV that speaks to teenagers

The Mammoth Eveningwhich will be broadcast on December 9 by Télé-Québec, is the Bye Bye teenagers for six years. As hosts, a dozen young artists enthusiastically took over from Pier-Luc Funk and Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, who had been the faces of the show from the start. Four of them talk to us about diversity, youth and TV which can still bring people together.

Tom-Éliot Girard, 22, singer and actor

To take the pulse

In addition to being part of the animation team, Tom-Éliot Girard, who participated in each of the editions of Mammoth, also works there as a researcher. He thus went to meet young people in schools in Quebec, in order to take their pulse and allow the program to be as close as possible to their concerns. “That’s what we gave ourselves as a mission. In general, young people are not asked enough how they are doing, what they want to say. You have to take the time. And how are they, exactly? “They want to talk, shout, but above all, they want things to move. In all. They’re tired of being told that things will happen, and it doesn’t. »

Represent

Of course, underlines Tom-Éliot Girard, no one is going to “replace” Pier-Luc Funk and Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse. “They really had a dynamic of their own. We’re just going to create something new using new codes, breaking new barriers. Talk more with young people to reflect their reality even more. And it only made sense that the diversity of youth shown on the show would be reflected in the ten people who host it. “If we want young people to watch Quebec TV, they must feel represented by people who look like them and speak to them. » This is precisely what Mammoth. “But it has to be in all genres of shows. We must stop blaming them and find solutions. »

Chloée Deblois, 28, comedian and screenwriter

A Bye Bye improved

Chloée Deblois has been a lifelong fan of Mammoth, whose mix of humour, emotion and seriousness she appreciates. “There is always a moment when I cry during the testimonies of young people. We also discuss taboo subjects, it’s not just a joke. Through the sketches, we try to do this with a touch of humour, to play it down, but also to talk about it in a mature way. » Parodies are one of the strengths of Mammoth, who masters codes and references to perfection – one of the sketches this year will talk about consent in a science-fiction universe, says the humorist with a smile, but without giving more details. “The parodies… Fasten your tuques! Mammothit really is Bye Bye teenagers, but enhanced by prizes awarded and testimonials. »

Self esteem

Very present on social networks, Chloée Deblois loves the generation of 13-17 year olds. “They are really on and mature, quite a bit more than me at their age! They teach me things, by listening to them on TikTok for example. The big challenge for young people is probably self-esteem, she believes, precisely with the pressure of social networks. “But I think they’re using it in a good way in general, they’re more aware. We talk about the negative, but there is really something good going on there. So she’s counting on them to make things better there. “Anyway, we can’t go any lower than now! »

Anas Hassouna, 28, comedian

Offer templates

For Anas Hassouna, that the animation team is so diverse is really significant. “It’s important when you’re young to have role models. We underestimate that a lot, but sometimes it can be the difference between life and death. He finds that adults who talk to young people often forget what it’s like to be a teenager, and especially how to talk to them. Which perhaps explains why teenagers have deserted television. “Young people don’t watch TV because TV doesn’t speak to young people. » Shows like Mammoth however prove that it is possible. “You have to do it honestly. The intention behind a project is the first thing that will determine whether it works or not. And Mammoth is one of the few whose intention is really to speak to young people. »

The social media trap

When he observes 13-17 year olds, Anas Hassouna worries. “I’m the last generation who lived through their teenage years without having a tablet or a phone constantly in their pockets. Social media isn’t just bad, it’s a game-changer. Especially since adolescence is the time of life when seeing yourself in the eyes of others is essential, and finding yourself there constantly can increase the pressure. “I don’t want to be the guy who says it was better in my day, but it seems young people aren’t equipped for the challenges they face. There’s no social media class at school, it’s weird. »

Schelby Jean-Baptiste, 29, actress and host

The strength of the group

The fact that ten people with diverse backgrounds are now the face of Mammoth is an added value for the show, believes Schelby Jean-Baptiste, who co-hosted the very relevant web series Not lie to you earlier this year. “I have the chance to experience it, I think it’s a great idea. It really brings different perspectives and thoughts because we have completely different personalities and ways of seeing the issues. Which makes the conversation even richer. »

The voice of young people

Schelby Jean-Baptiste knew Mammoth especially through the young people around him. For her, this kind of show is proof that teenagers still watch TV when they are addressed in an intelligent way. “We give them the floor in fact. They are given space, which makes them feel important. It’s the future too, you have to remember that. It’s important to give them space to think, express themselves, question themselves. What are the big issues for them right now? “I would say anxiety… about the environment, performance, beauty standards. There are a lot of things that make young people anxious these days. »

The Mammoth Eveningon Télé-Québec on December 9, 8 p.m.