Did you expect the recent emergency room strikes?
“I had written the show before the Covid, explaining that if a big crisis happened, we wouldn’t be able to deal with it… There had already been a historic emergency strike just before. For twenty years, the health system has always been less supported by the State. So there is general anger. With the appearance of the Covid, the nursing staff returned there, out of passion. The government just increased him, a bit, but he is still one of the lowest paid in Europe. So, it’s logical: since almost nothing happened, the anger returned. »
You never make a secret of your alcoholism. Have you experienced the flaws in the system as a patient?
“I discovered, when I started to treat my alcoholism, that I suffered from addiction, a neurological disease. You have people whose bodies don’t react the same way to addictive substances. It is not a question of will. And you have to avoid giving me a certain anxiolytic: it’s the same molecule that my brain looks for in alcohol. I had to go to Switzerland to find that out. It is good that there is a problem of information! Some French cures propose to moderate its consumption, whereas it is impossible with a physiological problem at the beginning. There are also good addictologists, good cures. But when I wanted to treat myself, I was told that in France, it would be problematic. »
You also easily mention your psychiatric concerns…
“My first experiences with psychiatry were not good. But you should never generalize. Psychiatry in France is the fifth wheel of the carriage. We should stop stigmatizing it, and rather finance it and put it back on the front of the stage. When someone is not well, we should already understand what is happening in his life and his head. I had to spend half of my immersions in the psychiatric service… outside the service. Doctors who have applied a care protocol in vain often call on psychiatry. I attended incredible sessions. I saw the psychiatrist who helped me with the show talking to a patient… only about her ski vacation. And he came back saying to me: “I know what she has! »
You have not been attacked by health professionals, or even by a certain laboratory?
“For the skit on homeopathy?” No way. Afterwards, you avoid problems by being precise in your words. Besides, I can have an influence. As I got out of it, lots of people ask me how… You have to stay in your place: I’m not a doctor, I don’t have any training. »
And the possible lawsuits?
“In fifteen years of committed sketches, means of pressure, physical threats, letters… They understood that it does not work on me. Libel suits, they can try. I am armored on my sources: I would win. There remain the public insults. It happens to me to swing some. At worst, I would pay 1,000 bucks in court. But my insults are funny enough to be worth it! »
