The Teatro delle Vittorie—a venue that frequently showcased his talent—will host Pippo Baudo’s public vigil, offering admirers a final tribute to the legendary television host after his extraordinary 60-year career. Organized by RAI leadership in consultation with his family, the vigil opens Monday, August 18, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (extended if queues persist) and Tuesday, August 19, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
RAI confirms the funeral will be held in Baudo’s beloved hometown of Militello Val di Catania on August 20 at 4:00 PM in Santa Maria della Stella church. TG1 will broadcast the service live from 3:30 PM to 6:10 PM.
Tributes flooded in for the innovator who shaped Italian TV. His signature catchphrase, “I invented it,” echoed among peers honoring his legacy as a creator and talent scout. Comedian Beppe Grillo—discovered by Baudo in a 1970s Milan theater—joked, “Dear Pippo, now that you’ll meet the Almighty, try not to say ‘I discovered him’.” Carlo Conti hailed “Superpippo” as irreplaceable but noted his teachings and discoveries endure.
Stars like Giorgia, Lorella Cuccarini, and Claudio Baglioni credited Baudo for launching their careers. Sabrina Ferilli emphasized his unparalleled impact: “He gave me my chance at Sanremo when I was a nobody, on a stage watched by 40 million.” Roberto Benigni praised “prodigious moments of televised joy” under Baudo’s direction, while Orietta Berti recalled collaborations spanning decades, calling him “a pioneer who invented modern TV.”
Baudo’s eclectic influence extended from pop to opera; mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli thanked him for catapulting her fame on *Fantastico* in 1988. Colleagues universally lauded his intelligence, versatility, and relentless reinvention. Claudio Baglioni reflected, “He was meticulous, cultured, witty—far more than the sum of his achievements.”
Maria De Filippi and Enrico Mentana placed Baudo among television’s “four giants” alongside Mike Bongiorno, Mina, and Enzo Tortora. In a poignant full-circle moment, Baudo—who once carried Bongiorno’s coffin—now receives the nation’s homage.
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