Iva Zanicchi lashes out at Mediaset over Ok, il prezzo è giusto return

The studio exchange

On 1 November, Iva Zanicchi was a guest on Domenica In, the Rai1 programme hosted by Mara Venier, where she was asked about reports that Ok, il prezzo è giusto would return to the air. She began by praising Ilary Blasi, who was reported as the likely new presenter, and said she expected the show to succeed under her.

“Ilary, you are a wonderful woman, I say it sincerely, you are beautiful.”

The praise turned sharp when she addressed the broadcaster. Her complaint centred on the missing call: she said she would have demanded that Mediaset phone her to say the quiz was being brought back, and she ended with a vulgar dismissal of the company. Venier laughed at the remark but told her she was taking all the responsibility. Reports said the exchange spread across the web within minutes.

Earlier plans and the revival

Earlier plans had put the show on Rai1, which had considered four prime-time episodes hosted by Flavio Insinna. Once the project became known, Mediaset moved to secure the title. Before Blasi's name surfaced, Samira Lui had been mentioned as a possible host, and Zanicchi had already voiced disappointment, hoping for a joint presenting stint of a few episodes to pass the show from one generation to the next. Zanicchi had also warned, on the talk show Belve, that staging Ok without her would be a terrible flop.

Reports in the days before 1 November said Blasi would take over the programme on Canale 5 during the Christmas season. Mediaset has not officially confirmed the project or its host, and accounts differ on whether Pier Silvio Berlusconi has publicly confirmed the return.

Mediaset silence and commentary

Mediaset gave no reply to the on-air remarks. One commentary argued that the company did not owe her the show, since the format predates any single presenter and she had been paid for the years she hosted it. The same piece said a phone call would have been a courteous gesture toward a presenter with a long association with the programme. It argued the bigger error was choosing a host who does not do the everyday grocery shopping that a show about prices is built around.

Stage plans and open questions

Zanicchi was also promoting her theatre comedy Viva la mamma!, written by Diego Ruiz, who performs in it alongside Samuel Peron and Michela Miconi. The production opens on 5 November at the Goldoni theatre in Corinaldo and plays the Manzoni theatre in Rome from 17 to 23 November. The Canale 5 date and the presenter for the revival remain unconfirmed by the broadcaster. Zanicchi was 86 years old at the time, according to one report.