Rosario Fiorello announces return to Rai1 with satirical social media teaser

Social media teaser and video details

On 26 September 2026, Italian showman Rosario Fiorello posted an unexpected promotional video on his Instagram profile to announce his upcoming return to Rai1. The short clip shows the entertainer seated silently in front of a dark desk, dressed in the style of American actor Brad Pitt from a recent commercial campaign. Without uttering a word, Fiorello communicates entirely through a sequence of facial expressions, gestures, and a direct gaze into the camera lens. An off-screen voiceover narrates the opening of the clip, stating, "This is not Brad Pitt. Now that we have your attention..." The video concludes with the superimposed caption "Coming soon" alongside the official Rai1 logo. The release bypassed traditional promotional methods, appearing without an accompanying press release or press conference.

Production schedule and broadcasting formats

The upcoming television project is scheduled for broadcast after mid-October 2026 on Rai's flagship channel. Broadcast executives had anticipated the presenter's return to the primary network schedule, though specific programming details remain undisclosed. Rai News reported that the production could take the form of either a traditional evening variety show or a talk show format. The initiative is expected to occupy a prime-time evening slot on Rai1, serving as his first regular headlining role on the network in fifteen years. The announcement did not specify an exact premiere date, identifying the launch window only as arriving in the near future.

Radio commitments and the Via Asiago studios

In addition to the television broadcast on Rai1, the entertainer's return will directly involve Rai Radio2. Production activity is currently underway at the Rai studios situated at Via Asiago 10 in Rome, where technical staff are preparing the workspace originally dedicated to his radio variety program. Prior to the social media video, public attention had focused on whether the radio variety show "La pennicanza" would return for a third season in the upcoming autumn programming schedule. Two seasons of "La pennicanza" had previously aired on Radio2 following the run of his morning television show "Viva Rai2" on Rai's second channel. The studio preparations in Rome indicate that radio broadcasting will operate alongside the television production.

Career context across television and radio

The upcoming launch represents Fiorello's first standalone broadcast vehicle on Rai1 since the autumn of 2011, when he hosted the four-part variety series "Il più grande spettacolo dopo il weekend". Across the following decade and a half, his appearances on the flagship network were confined to guest segments and co-hosting roles. He co-hosted the Sanremo Music Festival alongside presenter Amadeus during its 70th edition in 2020 and its 71st edition in 2021. He returned to the Ariston Theatre stage in 2024 to co-host the final night of Amadeus's concluding fifth edition as artistic director. The planned broadcasts after mid-October 2026 bring the Sicilian performer back to the forefront of Rai's central network lineup.