In his testimony Behind the screen: 40 years spent in the media, Jacques Legros looks back on his career, in particular his role with Jean-Pierre Pernaut, of whom he was the Joker. Why did the journalist not show up at his collaborator’s funeral? The answer is uplifting.
Relations between Jacques Legros and Jean-Pierre Pernaut never went beyond simple cordiality. In fact, the two journalists worked in addition to each other and respected each other. But they never became friends. Nathalie Marquay-Pernaut, the wife of Jean-Pierre Pernaut suspects Jacques Legros of jealousy… An accusation that the man vehemently refutes.
However, he criticizes his former colleague for his character ” blood ” and ” uncompromising “. He did not hesitate, according to Jacques Legros, to “stepping up” to defend its correspondents against the management of the newspaper. It is all this that the journalist denounces today in his book, Behind the screen: 40 years in the media. However, mutual respect is felt, when Jean-Pierre Pernaut sick, could no longer assume all the missions. He said then “It is of course Jacques Legros who replaces me during this period”. And he thanked his audience. At the end of this prostate operation, Jean-Pierre Pernaut came out of silence. He accepted his illness. So why didn’t Jacques Legros want to pay him a last tribute?
Jacques Legros, raw formwork: his words are both touching and shocking
According to Jacques Legros, his boss, Thierry Thuillier offered him, on the day of the funeral, to be replaced and not to honor his JT. The man refused, arguing that he was Pernaut’s joker and therefore had to do his job.
This is not the only reason that pushed her to decline this offer.
“Joining the concert of mourners in dark glasses, it’s not my thing “. he said bluntly. The journalist continues by evoking this violent emotion, this pain, which made him “ Clench the fists during the entire newscast that day. It was difficult to contain it, but the important thing, on March 2, 2022, was to remain professional, in all circumstances.
So in short, “It’s out of respect for Jean-Pierre”, for the values they had in common and their sense of duty that Jacques Legros refrained from going to the funeral of his collaborator. Nothing more…