Julien Lepers Criticizes Successor as 'Questions pour un champion' Ends Weekly Broadcast

Julien Lepers, the iconic host of the French game show 'Questions pour un champion' (QPUC) for nearly three decades, publicly expressed his disappointment over the show's recent cancellation from the weekly schedule. During an Instagram interview aired on December 26, 2025, Lepers revealed his pain seeing the programme "going down the drain," emphasizing his deep connection to the show he helmed from 1988 to 2016.

Lepers distanced himself from the decline in viewership that led to the decision, stating, "I'm not responsible for that. I haven't been there for a few years now." He indirectly criticized his successor, Samuel Etienne, remarking, "It's another who took my place... I realize he flung it, since it's stopping."

He highlighted the show's past success, recalling that his final episode attracted 2.2 million viewers—a considerable audience by modern standards—and reflecting on his extensive tenure, during which he posed 900,000 questions and hosted 40,000 contestants. The replacement decision was made by Dana Hastier, former program director of France 3, who cited Lepers' "totally unmanageable" nature combined with the show's dropping ratings.

Lepers’ comments underscore a sense of loss and frustration over the end of an era for a beloved French television institution, marking a poignant moment in the country’s entertainment landscape.