N’oubliez pas les paroles, USA News: Nearly nineteen years after its initial launch on France 2, the musical game show N’oubliez pas les paroles is approaching a major symbolic milestone. On Saturday, November 7, 2026, host Nagui will present the 8,000th episode during a special prime-time broadcast. However, the anniversary evening will not focus solely on nostalgia, as four former champions must also compete to secure the final available spots in the Masters quarter-finals.
Broadcast Details and History
France Télévisions has officially announced that the special episode will air on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 21:10 on France 2, with subsequent availability on france.tv. This milestone arrives nearly nineteen years after the show debuted on December 15, 2007. Over the years, the program has evolved while maintaining its core concept of asking contestants to recall missing lyrics to popular songs. The introduction of the Maestros system in January 2013 transformed the format by allowing successful champions to return and defend their titles, giving rise to well-known players such as Margaux, Benoît, Laurens, and Arsène.
An Anniversary Evening Mixed with Competition
To celebrate the 8,000th installment, Nagui and the production team promise an anniversary evening filled with surprises. The studio set will welcome the host’s usual companions, including the Zikos band to accompany contestants, the ambianceurs to maintain the festive atmosphere, and Cruella with her signature interventions. While production has not fully detailed all scheduled surprises, the event extends beyond a simple retrospective.
Two Quarter-Final Spots at Stake
November 7 will also mark a crucial stage in the 2026 Masters competition. Following the initial phase, the top six candidates in the standings have directly qualified for the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, the four Maestros ranked seventh through tenth will compete in two play-off matches for a last chance to advance. Only two will continue in the tournament. Unlike the league phase, where contestants accumulated points, these matches will be strictly eliminatory.
The Masters tournament began on October 5 with 32 candidates using a sports-inspired format. The November 7 broadcast will thus combine the celebration of the program’s history with the final selection round before the quarter-finals. The 2026 Masters final is scheduled to air one week later on Saturday, November 14, on France 2.
