Pucci at Sanremo, social media is heated: "Fascist, homophobic, and racist." He was naked on a boat.

“Fascist,” “homophobic,” “misogynist.”

Just a handful of minutes had passed since Conte's announcement that Andrea Pucci would co-host Sanremo on the evening of Thursday, February 26, when social media was ablaze with excitement over what was being described as "the lowest point reached by this Meloni Festival."

And while the Milanese comedian, born in 1965, with Venetian origins betrayed by his real surname (Baccan), has never made a secret of his right-wing affiliation ("I'm the only right-wing comedian," he declared to Il Giornale), what's causing anger is the array of "incorrect" jokes, to put it mildly, he unleashes in his shows. Like when in 2022, with a gag about anti-Covid swabs, he targeted influencer Tommaso Zorzi.

Selvaggia Lucarelli took a stand against the participation of the former comedian of "La sai l'ultima" and "Colorado" (as well as Laura Pausini and Morgan): "Congratulations to Carlo Conti! After the one who doesn't sing "Bella ciao" and the singing stalker friend of Giorgia, on the Sanremo stage we also have Andrea Pucci, the one who body-shamed Elly Schlein, homophobic jokes and other subtleties. He's a fine president!"

The Democratic Party MPs on the RAI oversight commission are also speaking out about TeleMeloni, demanding accountability from the Viale Mazzini management for choosing a comedian who is "clearly right-wing, fascist, and homophobic, already in the news for mocking a young man in the entertainment industry for being gay. A blaze of vulgarity mixed with racism."

Codacons' statement could not be missed: "At such a difficult time for the country, we wonder whether it is appropriate to bring such divisive figures to the Sanremo stage, figures who have previously been known for vulgar, racist, and homophobic jokes. Without delving into Andrea Pucci's political views, what is truly surprising is that RAI has decided to bring to the most watched event on national television a comedian who is widely accused of sending the wrong, if not dangerous, messages. This decision stands in stark contrast to the battles being waged in Italy against bullying, homophobia, misogyny, etc., but it is not new to Carlo Conti, who last year brought Tony Effe to the Festival despite strong protests against the rapper's sexist and violent songs." "RAI," the consumer association threatens, "will be held accountable in the appropriate courts if the comedian makes insults, vulgarity, or uses sexist or racist jokes during the Sanremo Festival."

The first real controversy of this Festival doesn't seem to faze the monologist in the slightest, who celebrates the artistic director's call by showing off his naked body on a boat, next to a life preserver: "Sanremo... I'm coming!" " But on the Ariston stage, at least wear a bathing suit!" Conti replies.