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Jazz musician André Manoukian returns to television on Friday, June 26, with a new France 5 show that pairs him against pianist Jean‑François Zygel. Ahead of the broadcast, he also spoke out about a harsh way he says producers ended his long stint on the televised talent show Nouvelle Star.
New program: a musical duel on France 5
On France 5, the program Entre duels et duos will pit two celebrated musicians in a staged musical encounter. France TV presents the evening as more than a concert, a moment to explore ideas through sound.
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Manoukian, known for mentoring artists like Liane Foly early in his career, will confront Jean‑François Zygel in what the channel frames as a thoughtful musical exchange. The format targets music lovers and viewers curious about composition and improvisation.
He says he was dismissed abruptly from Nouvelle Star
What he told Buzz TV
Speaking on the Buzz TV set, Manoukian criticized how media organizations sometimes let staff go. He suggested abrupt dismissals are common in outlets and TV productions.
He recounted his own experience: rather than a conversation or formal meeting, he learned the show would not continue via a short phone message. He says that single notification ended his role on the program.
Context and reactions
His remarks followed public debate about other departures in broadcasting. He used the moment to underline a culture where personnel changes are often announced to the wider public before the people affected.
Why Nouvelle Star mattered to him and to French pop
Manoukian grew into a household name as a juror on the talent contest, present from the first season and a familiar voice from the early 2000s through the mid‑2010s. Viewers remember him for direct opinions and sharp humor.
He often praised the program for discovering new talent. In interviews, he described the emotional weight of judging contestants who queue for hours and then perform as if their careers depend on that single moment.
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He has told stories about moments when a candidate transforms onstage, creating a star out of someone previously unknown. That fascination with voice and surprise shaped his television persona.
Television and acting beyond the jury seat
Alongside his music career, Manoukian explored acting. He appeared in the series Off Prime in 2008 and later joined the cast of the France 2 comedy‑drama Fais pas ci, fais pas ça, playing Thierry Kalamian until 2016.
Those roles widened his public profile beyond the jazz clubs and recording studios where he first built his reputation.
