Guignols return to TV tonight

Les Guignols return to French television tonight, albeit on the pay-for Canal+.

The rubbery puppet show, which carries the spirit of the long-dead, British, show Spitting Image was rescued from the threat of cancellation after protests.

In its new form (now just Les Guignols dropping the de l’info), the show, which has run for more than 20 years, will be less politically focussed and have a more international and celebrity feel to it.

The strategy has already led to criticism that the show has lost its bite and will be less critical of those in power.

Already a Kim Kardashian and a Donald Trump puppet have been revealed and its opening titles contain just three French personalities: Gérard Depardieu, François Hollande and the perennial favourite Jacques Chirac.

The show will be broadcast on Canal+ at 20.50 during its encrypted broadcasts that can only be seen if you subscribe to the channel.

However the show will be made available on the Canal+ Dailymotion channel (the video hosting site is owned by Vivendi which also owns Canal+) and the weekly round-up, La semaine des Guignols will be broadcast unencrypted on Sundays.

Some of the sketches will go up with translations into English and Spanish.