1. Affari Tuoi (RAI International)
Affari Tuoi or “Your Business” is an Italian game show similar to “Deal or No Deal”. In the Italian version of the game, there are 20 pacchi (boxes) representing one of the 20 regions of Italy and holding those boxes are representatives (and possible future contestants) from each region. There have been some very interesting contestants on this show, always full of energy and emotion.
2. C’e Posta Per Te (TLN/Telelatino)
C’e Posta Per Te is sort of like a talk show and attempts to reunite individuals with their long lost loved ones (family, friends, etc). An individual is invited to come to the show with no knowledge of who wants to see/talk to them or why. If the individual accepts the invitation they will find themselves seated in front of a large envelope, which will open to show the person who wishes to see them. It is then the invited guests choice to allow that person to speak, and then ultimately to remove the envelope altogether and be reunited. I am constantly finding myself drawn to the emotional stories of these people always hoping for the best possible outcome.
3. Scherzi a Parte (TLN/Teleatino & Youtube)
Scherzi A Parte is the Italian version of “Punk’d”. The show films unsuspecting Italian celebrities in akward situations until finally it is revealed that they are being filmed and it’s all just a joke. This show is aired from time to time on the Italian cable stations here but most of the ones that I have seen were on Youtube. If you want to check it out I suggest you seek out the ones involving Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Oddo, Francesco Totti, and Laura Pausini.
4. Che Tempo Che Fa (RAI International)
Che Tempo Che Fa is a late-night talk show (similar to Letterman or Jay Leno in the US) hosted by Fabio Fazio and feature interviews with different guests (Italian and International). I’ve personally really enjoyed watching the interviews with Riccardo Scamarcio, Gigi Buffon, and Laura Pausini.
5. CentroVetrine (TLN/Telelatino)
CentroVetrine is an Italian soap opera. Now, I don’t normally watch soap opera’s but since Italian programming is limited here, I have to make an exception. The soap opera is set in a “centro commerciale” (shopping mall) in Torino and follows the lives of individuals who work in the mall and others they encounter along the way. The show has been around since 2001 and I’ve only really started watching it earlier this year so I’m not too familiar with the back story but I find this program to be short, simple and easy enough to follow.
