Fiorello's "La Mattinanza" on Rai2 and that surname that soars to New York: what's the connection with LaGuardia Airport?
If you've woken up with a smile on your face these past few mornings, chances are you've tuned into Rai2. Fiorello is back, and he's returned in the most explosive way possible: with "La Mattinanza," a daily breakfast show that's literally shaking up how Italians start their day. Forget carefully planned podcasts or rigid running sheets; here, it's all off-the-cuff, with surprise guests, bizarre phone calls, and that controlled chaos that only the king of radio and TV knows how to orchestrate.
The adventure kicked off just recently on Rai2, and you can already sense a feeling of vindication in the air. The gossips are saying it's been a bitter pill for the Rai1 morning show – and actually, while the main channel opts for more traditional formulas, Fiorello is on the other side unleashing his band of mischief-makers. But don't call it a ratings war; it's simply the Fiorello mindset applied to the morning slot, the time of day he knows better than anyone. Every day brings fresh content, live performances, and his unique way of pulling real life into the frame, the kind of thing only someone with thirty years in the game can pull off.
Talking of careers and names: did you know that Fiorello isn't just our Rosario? Across the ocean, in New York, there's LaGuardia Airport carrying the same surname. And yep, that's because Fiorello LaGuardia was one of the Big Apple's most beloved mayors, the one who gave his name to the airport and also to the legendary LaGuardia High School, the performing arts school that churned out talents like Jennifer Aniston and Al Pacino. Sure, there's no family tie between the Italian-American politician and our Sicilian showman, but every time I hear the airport's name, it makes me think: what if one day Rosario decided to do a show from right there? After all, with "La Mattinanza," he's already taken off...
Here are three things that make "La Mattinanza" unmissable (and that might also explain the word "Fiorello!" written with an exclamation mark):
- The disarming lack of a script: Every episode is a gamble. Fiorello sits down, looks at the camera, and starts. The rest is pure improvisation, including surprise appearances from the crew and calls to random phone numbers.
- Instant transformations: He impersonates politicians, singers, and current personalities without needing masks. A well-timed expression and the right voice are all it takes to spark hilarity.
- The ability to bring the street onto TV: Random passers-by interviewed from the window, unofficial parking attendants becoming commentators, grandpas telling stories from another era. It's the real, unfiltered Italy.
If you want to know what everyone will be talking about at the local café, tune into Rai2. Fiorello is back doing what he does best: keeping you company, making you laugh, and reminding us that TV, when it's free, can still be a great spectacle. And who knows, maybe sooner or later he'll organise a live broadcast from LaGuardia Airport… maybe titling the episode "Fiorello! Lands in New York." That would be the classic cherry on top of an already perfect morning.