Beigbeder does stand-up

Prix de Flore-winning author Frédéric Beigbeder may have a second calling as a film comedian.  I see him in a Judd Apatow boy-man type role, with a dose of French swagger. Last night was Paris’s first Literary Death Match, a throw-down organized by Opium magazine where authors read their work in competition before a live audience and jury.  It started late because Beigbeder had gone temporarily missing, and then we were all shocked (and maybe not so shocked), when Beigbeder got up and announced that he had forgotten to bring his book; he was too drunk to compete; and anyway, he wouldn’t compete against a woman.  Especially one as beautiful as Max Monnehay. 

Beigbeder does stand-up
envoyé par Efourmont. - Futurs lauréats du Sundance.

Translation:

I’m sorry I forgot my book, but anyway you can find it sort of everywhere right now.  So, I’m absolutely not going to fight against Max Monnehay; who I don’t know; who I met just a moment ago, and… she is very beautiful.  And I think it would be too bad to have a falling out before we even get to know each other.  Don’t you think?  Bonsoir. (Girl from audience hands Beigbeder a copy of his latest book.)  Incredible!  They’re going to think this is a set up.  (Taking off his jacket.)  They’re going to think I planned the whole thing, as if I were a sort of Machiavelli of modern times, as if, when turning around, it wasn’t at all planned what was written on my back.  (His shirt says “Zadig et Voltaire” a rock and roll French brand which I assume is named after Voltaire’s novel about Babylonian philosopher Zadig.  If there’s a joke here I don’t get it).  (Opening book.)  Well, okay, but wait my speech was better than this.

Everyone laughed, even if my female friends found his gallantry with Monnehay irksome, and also, typically French. Monnehay, who was arguably disadvantaged by age and experience, presumably signed on aware of her underdog role, and aware that the whole thing was a semi-spoof, and yet, hoping for some element of challenge.  Beigbeder was too busy attending to his performance to think that his stepping down would patronize her?

Still, it was a funny sort of vaudevillian vamp.  As jury member and writer David  Foenkinos pointed out, Beigbeder’s most magic talent may be that he can talk about absolutely nothing for eight minutes, and still entertain.

Comments

[lauren]

The shirt said "Beig & Voltaire"!

[Coquette]

Okay, THAT makes sense. See I can't read without my glasses!

[Claire]

This only confirms my impression of him gleaned from his answers to Todd Selby's interview:

http://www.theselby.com/10_17_08_Frederic_Beigbeder/index.html

but I can't help...liking him slightly???

[Adam]

I thought he was a comedian already. Then again, these kinds of distinctions are quite narrow in France where everyone seems to be a writer, TV presenter, actor and singer at once.

[Gerri Ward]

OMG! I'm solely without words except YOUR BLOG is FABULOUS!!!:)