Beasts: Francesca Fagnani's Bold Take on Women and Television

Beasts aired for the first time on Nove in 2018. A name chosen by Francesca Fagnani herself because 'I wanted to represent women in a slightly different way, not just as victims, but also as assertive. Beast for me is a compliment, it means being ambitious, not herd-like.' To Corriere della Sera, Enrico Mentana's partner talks about being ready to return to television with the new season of Beasts starting from Tuesday, April 2nd on Rai2, in prime time. She still remembers her first interview: 'A non-repentant Camorra woman. And Giorgia Meloni: she was not yet Prime Minister, but only the leader of Brothers of Italy. She was very generous in sharing even private aspects of her life. It resulted in a portrait more human than political. Certainly, with the 5% of the time, she was freer to do so.' Her guests, she tells Corsera, often arrive scared. Fagnani recalls that 'Isabella Ferrari entered trembling and Alba Parietti asked for a whisky.' Then there are the clashes, real duels. And that's what she likes the most: 'I am happy when there are duels. Even if I come across as unpleasant, it's fine by me, as long as there is a feeling, an empathy. I am more worried about the silences and when they answer in monosyllables. Boredom kills me, not the confrontation.' Two above all have become memorable, at least for her: 'With Asia Argento, it was a tough duel. Tense encounter also with Monica Guerritore.' Chiara Ferragni, the photo with Vittoria and the disconcerting comment from Fedez's father: here's what he wrote. In April, Fedez arrives with restrictions imposed by Chiara Ferragni. 'We have not received any legal warning. The focus of the interview will not be his marriage. I will treat Fedez like all the other guests, trying to outline a personal portrait from all angles, therefore certainly including his private life. And I am sure that Fedez will be collaborative.' It starts with Matteo Salvini ('I find it hard to bring politicians, even more so those from the left than from the right'), then came the yes also from Loredana Bertè and Antonella Clerici. On the other hand, Emma Marrone continues to say no. Her colleague from Corriere della Sera, Maria Volpe, disguises herself as Beast: 'Have you ever thought of inviting Enrico Mentana, your partner? 'No, no. It doesn't seem to me that interviewing boyfriends brings good luck... And then I never want to mix private life with public life.' He gives advice but apparently not on Beasts: 'For me, his point of view on many discussions is enriching, but not on "Beasts". My TV is so different from his.' Francesca Fagnani does not see a future after Beasts. The reason is simple: 'I always think of the Bic pen that after so many years is the same as itself. If something works, it should be improved, why change it? The audience has become attached to "Beasts" and it will be the audience to decide if I should change because the program is no longer liked.'