Camping Paradis, 17 years of success: how to explain the carton of the TF1 series?

For TF1, since the beginning of summer, the sun shines more on the side of the Camping Paradis bungalows.

While many of the channel’s storied brands have been shelved in recent years (Alice Nevers, Profiling, Une famille familable, Balthazar, Research Section, which will return as TV specials), others are beginning to show serious signs. Gasping from the audience (like Clem), the family series hosted by Laurent Urnack since 2006 continues to be a hit every Monday on TF1.

Previously broadcast sporadically throughout the year, as is still the case with Josephine, Guardian Angel, episodes of Camping Paradis are now almost exclusively programmed on the front page during the summer.

Quite a logical tactic, implemented in 2021 and justified after two years the series was able to regain color and achieve points, which it did not know for almost a decade. Specifically, at a privileged target for advertisers: the famous woman responsible for purchases under 50 (FRDA-50).

Indeed, on July 3, the unprecedented “hip-hop in the camp”, which hosted Fabien Carat (Plus belle la vie) and Ariane Ségillon (tomorrow belongs to us), managed to collect 4.7 million viewers in the waiting audience. , with very good performance on target (30% of FRDA-50, 46% of 15-24 year olds and 34% of 15-34 year olds gathered in front of their screen).

A success that was confirmed last Monday, 4.4 million devotees and 29% of women under 50 were responsible for purchases, who were excited about the episode with Laurent Gamelon in the background of clairvoyance. So how do you explain that Camping Paradis still attracts so much of the public?

Camping Paradis, a cure for atmospheric darkness

Of course, the summer programming chosen by TF1 is clearly one of the factors that explains the success of Camping Paradis since the beginning of the summer. Because what could be better than a show in July and August for fiction that smacks of the holidays?

“The show is quite ideal because we are in the middle of summer and because Camping Paradis is a deeply family series, we have a crossroads where the public is in front of their TV.”Confirms Richard Berkowitz, series producer, before qualifying. “But not because the public is available, it necessarily comes to see us”.

However, in a summer offering that is less and less provided by new series, which gives pride of place to reruns and entertainment programs, Camping Paradis is almost an exception and therefore more easily appeals to fans of fiction.

“There really isn’t much food on TV this summer”says Marys, 62 years old. “So when I see there’s a new Camping Paradis show on TF1, I go for it, even if it’s not my favorite series. It’s a program that’s good for you and lets you find actors you appreciate, like Fabien Carat, which I. followed for a long time in Plus belle la vie, which I never missed”.

Indeed, to reach the audience, the producer and TF1 bet on particularly ultra-popular guests, such as Fabienne Carat and Rebecca Hampton this year, or Vincent Lagaff, Philippe Bass, Corinne Touzet and Linda Hardy in previous seasons. “This has been our trademark since the series’ inception: in each episode we have a guest who is a popular reference for the general public and at the same time fits well with the theme of the episode”Richard Berkowitz explains.

And then there is the basic recipe, this mixture of comedy and emotion that does not move, as well as the characters of Laurent Urnack, Thierry Heckendorn and Patrick Guerinault, who are from the beginning of the adventure and what makes Camping Paradis, the ultimate family. And he feels good in the series.

“The most difficult job in writing is to maintain that dramatic side where we manage to make people laugh and move”He entrusts the producer of the series to our microphone. Little by little we pushed the sliders, with a character like Parisot who brings emotion, but also and above all comedy. And for emotions, we can count on our problems, which are often the secrets of families, to treat them all without moral judgment. We are human, and I think this sincerity continues to please and touch the greatest number. “.

“Camping Paradis is designed to please people. And when we see the audience or people’s reactions on Twitter on broadcast nights, we tell ourselves that the goal has been achieved.”he continues. “For several years now, with Covid, inflation, the war in Ukraine, we’ve had the feeling that when people look at Camping Paradis, they’re resting at 1:30 a.m., they’re thinking about something else, and that feels good..

A sentiment that is clearly shared by series devotees. Like 32-year-old Valentin, who admits that the series with Laurent Urnak is his “A Little Bubble of Oxygen”: “I’m a bit sick of thrillers, it’s all on TV. Camping Paradis, I’ve been watching it since I was a teenager, it’s a good TV series that airs in your head and lets you forget the worries of everyday life for a moment.”.

A formula that has been updated… but not by much

Praised by family audiences and fans of popular comedies, Camping Paradis is often derided by others who criticize it for its lack of modernity, benignity, even sentimentality. Reproaches that are also often leveled at Josephine, Guardian Angel, TF1’s other unstoppable series. But who don’t get much further than that, Tom Delormes Adventures is a producer.

“I don’t know what modern is, I never did. I make series for people, so when it meets the public, that’s the main thing”Admits Richard Berkowitz, who nevertheless condemns this French trend of criticism. “In France, we always tend to criticize what is popular, it was already like that Gendarmerie of Saint-Tropez and 7th CompanyIt will be the same in a few years lips and camping movie. It’s a shame. I’m not sure they would criticize it in the US Cruise is fun, Charlie’s Angels or The call saved him. But it is not more serious than that. I’m moving forward, I’m looking forward”.

Although it is based on the same basic concept (“Two storylines with guests arriving with problems and our recurring characters helping them overcome it”Camping Paradis has clearly evolved since the broadcast of its first episode in November 2006.

“We’ve always tried to keep the camping spirit alive, with comedy, social themes and intergenerational sides that appeal to kids as much as teenagers and grandparents, but we’ve added a few things over the seasons.”The series producer explains. “As well as the fact that Tom Delorms, played by Laurent Urnack, is now in a relationship with Stephanie (Juliet Oak), and have a girl. we’re going around a bit”.

Evolutions that will appeal to dedicated fans of the series: “We’ve known Tom with Ariana, then O’Reilly, and now Stephanie, and it’s great to see him in the father role. I’m very attached to the characters and cast of this series, and I think these changes are important. What keeps us coming back episode after episode, not just the camping atmosphere and Good humor that comes out of him.”Delighted Aymeric, 28, who therefore sees the series’ contribution as a reward for loyal viewers.

In the same vein, writers have been offering special episodes for several years that take the characters – and the public – out of the camp. After the “Les Bleus are on skis” proposed in December 2021, during which the camping team went to Morzine to Xavier’s father’s hotel, TF1 broadcasts this Monday, July 17, “Les Bleus à la Réunion”, the unreleased 14th season of camping. The parade, in which Tom, Xavier and Audrey (Candy) fly to Reunion Island, where the wedding of Christian Parisot’s son (Patrick Parox) is to be celebrated.

“We really wanted to get our regulars out of the camp, because it allows us to make the episodes more about them. It’s nice for the actors, but also for the fans of the series. And then it offers something completely different. We did Corsica a few years ago, we went skiing, this year We are going to Reunion and Morocco next year.Richard Berkowitz reveals. “Every year we’ll try to do an event episode outside the camp. It’s a little gift for everyone.”.

Pascal Legitimus, Joy Esther and “The Very Big Guest” are expected in the next episodes

Based on its success, Camping Paradis still has a bright future on TF1. Although the series is set to go into repeat mode from July 31, following Monday’s last unaired surf of boy band nostalgia with guest stars Frank Delay and Anthony Dupree, two more spring-filmed episodes are already in the box. For an estimated release next year.

“The Magic of Heaven” will thus see Pascal Legitimus gift his qualities to a magician who arrives at the camp to take part in a competition and, to his surprise, meets his half-sister, also a candidate. “Pascal Legitimus as a magician who misses all his tricks is very funny”Richard Berkowitz cheers. “We’re lucky to have someone like him come in and enjoy shooting with us and play it all at the top level.”.

Then comes another unreleased one, Two Chefs in Heaven, with Joy Esther (Our Dear Neighbors), Audrey Lotten (Tomorrow Belongs to Us) and Jan Sundberg (This Is Where It All Begins). Two more episodes will be filmed this fall, on the themes of a regatta and a bachelor party. and with “A Very Great Guest” To the former’s credit, even the producer of Camping Paradis refuses to reveal his name at the moment.

The episode in Morocco, the plot of which is currently under wraps, will be filmed next January. And when we ask Richard Berkowitz if he’s ready to go on for another seventeen years, we don’t wait for his answer: “Yes, of course. We have a wonderful production team, we are very lucky with our actors who are professional, handsome and not big. They are a pleasure to work with. It’s a real family. So if we are. We might keep it for a few more years, don’t worry we will reduce”.