Journalist, satirist, presenter, entertainer Zoran Kesić created a small media revolution in Serbia with the show "24 minutes with Zoran Kesić", which is broadcast on RTV B92. The satirical concept in the footsteps of great American role models was accepted by the audience, and Kesić is satisfied that he raised the bar of political discourse in his country, i.e. relaxed people and showed that they don't always have to frown at the mention of "big political topics".
Kesić spoke on the phone for the New Year's issue of "Vijesti", concisely and without much thought - he presented his view of politics and the angle from which it should be viewed.
Who would fare better if Serbia and Montenegro switched prime ministers? Analytical answer please.
I think that both Montenegro and Serbia would do well, because our prime ministers are great people. They are not little people. I think their height is in line with their political reach. It is magnificent to see such two great men in such two responsible positions. Because imagine a small prime minister. Let's say that for a time Ivica Dacic was prime minister and it didn't look like anything because he can't raise himself to any height. And what happened? The First Deputy Prime Minister wondered about everything and pulled all the strings. Simply, people like tall people, who impress them with their height, if nothing else, then their height.
What is most sacred in Serbia today, in the absence of Kosovo and Montenegro?
I would say Novak Djokovic. We are all proud of Djokovic's successes, and it is symptomatic that politicians are also proud of his successes, as if they contributed something. It's as if Đoković is everyone's and as if we justify failures in all possible fields by saying that at least in Novak Đoković we are successful. It's like everyone wants to take a piece of his success, so sometimes it looks a little lame.
Are you referring to Novak Djokovic, originally from Montenegro? Are Montenegrins still as influential in Serbia as they used to be?
They are influential, and I wonder how long it will last, because it was a good opportunity when Montenegro recognized the independence of Kosovo to clear up once and for all the Montenegrins in our ranks. However, Vlado Georgiev, Andrija Milošević and Sergej Ćetković remained here. I don't know what needs to happen to finally get rid of those people and return them to their homeland, Montenegro. I don't know if you don't want them, so you left them to us, but it's a problem that I don't know how to solve.
Why don't people laugh at standard dailies and news shows, but at your show?
I guess people got used to the "diary" being a serious thing in the old days, at half past seven the "diary" is watched, the children had the opportunity to watch a cartoon - now shut up while we watch serious things. Of course, the news has not been serious for a long time. Our show comes like a valve, and laughter is a nice shortcut to the viewers' attention. In a fun way, we try to draw viewers' attention to serious matters. When they laugh at a taboo subject, it becomes less scary.
Please be specific in your answer: Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart?
I'm a big fan of both of them, but Stephen Colbert is closer to me because he's just more fun. He is constantly in the role of some conservative and I really like what he does.
They say they teach people how to read a newspaper, how to understand a newspaper. Do you do the same?
Of course. Our show was modeled on that whole institution of political satire, which is more common in America. We strive for satirical criticism of politics to become normal, desirable and expected, and not for it to be an isolated incident and after the first show everyone says "you're not normal, they'll cancel you", but for there to be ten shows that do that, or understand criticism that way.
How do colleagues from "serious" information view the show?
As far as I can see, everyone likes to watch our show and quote. I think she has gained credibility in the industry and "serious" journalists come to our show to be analysts. It is important to me that we discover their sense of humor. It's even a matter of prestige to come to our show and show how to joke about serious topics.
Bucks are a national treasure
How is it that people have captured the Buxovs in your show? Were you surprised by the good reactions given that they have a specific kind of humor?
I was happy with that response because I have a high opinion of my viewers and I always think they will like what I like. I think that boxwood trees are the national treasure of Montenegro.
Do you miss the days when you were starting out, had more freedom to experiment?
No. I see that as part of professional growth. It was an inevitable exaggeration, experimentation, in some things to get to this, where I combined what I like to do through humor - and what I think a good production look.
What do you do the day after the show?
I mostly rest, enjoy a successfully completed job.
Bonus video:
