Change of guard at 98.5 FM: columnist Patrick Lagacé will replace host Paul Arcand at the helm of his morning show, Since it is necessary to get up, in a year and a half.
Quebec’s biggest “morning man” introduced his successor on the air Wednesday morning. Columnist at La Presse, Patrick Lagacé will take over the microphone of the daily morning show in August 2024.
Paul Arcand announced last summer that he would not renew his contract, wishing to “move on to something else”, almost 20 years after taking the helm of Since it is necessary to get up.
Behind the scenes, Patrick Lagacé sat at the top of the list of names considered for the position.
The host of the late-afternoon show Le Québec Now says “the conversation started a long time ago” with Pierre Martineau, vice-president of 98.5 and regional stations Cogeco Media.
“The first time we talked about it formally, I said, ‘Look, I’m not closing the door,’ which was a way of closing the door by keeping it a little ajar. For what ? Because it’s a big challenge. Will you get up at this time? By dint of thinking, having discussions with Pierre, talking about it to my loved ones, finally I said yes, ”he says.
Despite his new term, Patrick Lagacé has no intention of leaving La Presse. The columnist assures that he will continue to sign texts there, probably in fewer numbers. Once in office, he will also take writing leave until January 2025.
“I have established a conversation with the readers of La Presse that has lasted for years, which is rich and which I like very much, so I have no intention of leaving,” he underlines. , before adding that “being at La Presse” makes him “a better journalist”.
As for the program Two men in gold and Rosalie, which he co-hosts on the airwaves of Télé-Québec with Pierre-Yves Lord and Rosalie Bonenfant, the continuation of things is not yet clear. “I’m going to have discussions with the broadcaster, that’s for sure,” notes Patrick Lagacé. For his part, Pierre-Yves Lord has already announced that he will leave the show at the end of this season.
The columnist recognizes the magnitude of the mandate: he will lead the most listened to radio program in Montreal… from the number one station in the country.
Fortunately, he has a year and a half to prepare for it.
“It’s a huge challenge, and we have a year and a half to build a team of collaborators on and off the air. A year and a half to see what we will keep from the show and what we will decide not to keep, ”he continues.
In the interview, he does not fail to underline the “genius” of Paul Arcand, who can lead a tough interview before moving on to a lighter segment. Does it dread the comparison with its popular predecessor?
“I’m comfortable with that. I can’t control this. All I can do is do what I do all the time, come prepared,” replied the 51-year-old host.
