The Tg2 Special in memory of Pippo Baudo with Mara Venier and Renzo Arbore

RAI paid tribute to Pippo Baudo, an undisputed icon of Italian television, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89, with a special program celebrating his extraordinary career and his contribution to public service. Described as an "artist" and a "total showman," Baudo was remembered as a television pioneer, a talent scout, the man who revolutionized the Sanremo Music Festival, and who, with over 100 broadcasts to his credit, left an indelible mark on RAI's history. Rai 2 also paid tribute with a "Tg2 Special," broadcast from 6:10 PM to 7:30 PM, hosted by Annalisa Fantilli and featuring Mara Venier, Renzo Arbore, Tg2 director Antonio Preziosi, and many other expressions of affection and emotion at the passing of the "playmaker" of Italian television.

During the broadcast, Venier remembered Baudo as "a total, complete showman," emphasizing his versatility and love for his audience. Arbore, on the other hand, called Baudo "an artist" who created "educational television," capable of culturally enriching viewers with elegance and talent. Michele Guardì, another guest on the special, praised Baudo's respect for his audience, his ability to summarize, and his "classy, clean, and cultured" television. Pippo Baudo, with his smile, his elegance, and his passion for television, defined an era. As Arbore recalled, "Pippo made you rich, he showed talents that enriched the audience." With this unanimous tribute, RAI celebrated not just a host, but a true "inventor" of Italian television, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of viewers and professionals.