"I Don't See Life as a Place of Permanent Trenches"

Jordi Évole (Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, aged 50) begins the new season of 'Lo de Évole' in Seville, airing tonight at 9:25 PM on La Sexta. The first episode features an in-depth conversation with Juan y Medio, discussing the lesser-known, personal side of the Andalusian presenter and his show 'La tarde, aquí y ahora', which brings together elderly people seeking companionship. "Growing old is something we should be more aware of than we currently are," reflects the Catalan journalist, who has also travelled to Uruguay to speak with Pepe Mujica. Other guests this season include Lolita Flores, Dani Martín, Eduard Fernández, and Mala Rodríguez.

–The season begins with Juan y Medio and his program where elderly people seek to end their loneliness.

–I have known Juan for many years, and we have always had a close relationship, but we probably haven't talked as much as we did in this interview. He is someone I held in high regard, and he exceeded my expectations. Juan is a deep, cultured, intelligent person who thinks deeply about the events in our lives, which I find very appealing. Moreover, he knows the elderly population better than anyone in this country. If there were a Ministry for the Elderly, Juan y Medio should be the minister, as he speaks to the elderly without condescension and values them.

–Are you afraid of loneliness?

–I have considered it. Growing old is something we should be more aware of than we currently are, because if all goes well, we will reach that age, and if you do, you must also be prepared for that stage of life. There are many elderly people in this country eager to do things, travel, learn, and in Juan y Medio's show, meet others to form relationships, whether romantic or companionship.

–This season, you interview the former president of Uruguay, Pepe Mujica. How did you manage that?

–We maintained contact with Pepe Mujica since our first interview, which I believe was in 2014. We interviewed him again later. Every time we went to Uruguay for one reason or another, we met and talked off-camera. We've maintained a relationship, though I'm not sure if I would call it friendship. We recorded the interview in July. He had been diagnosed with cancer, but not at the stage he is now. At that time, he was still quite well. He did tell us that this would be the last interview he would give us for health reasons. It will be very emotional. We talked less about politics and more about life, which I think is what you want to do when you're saying goodbye.

–You started promoting 'Lo de Évole' with an ad featuring Mario Vaquerizo. Some left-wing sectors on social media criticized you for giving him that prominence, and you were outraged. Why did that reaction upset you?

–I responded calmly, but I find it perverse that you can't have someone on your show who doesn't think like you. In Vaquerizo's case, some may have the reference that he spoke well of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's policies, and I think quite the opposite. I believe that people who think differently should meet in common spaces and share. Enrich ourselves with each other's opinions. And, in Mario's case, he wasn't even a guest on the show, but I also think that if he had been, what's the problem? I don't see life as a place where you have to be in a trench permanently, much less have others place you in one. I may have sympathies or a more left-leaning tendency, but that doesn't mean that if you see a measure taken by a left-wing government that you don't like, you can't criticize it. I don't like blind followings.

–Have you considered leaving X?

–Honestly, no. I'm going to stay there, keeping an eye on what Elon Musk does.

–It's been almost twenty years of 'Salvados' and 'Lo de Évole'. During this time, have you noticed an increase in polarization?

–In this country, there have always been sides, and you've always been placed on one side or the other. I think now it's been accentuated through social media. But if you can manage to stay a bit on the sidelines or not let it affect you too much... It's good to put all that into perspective. Politics and the media are more polarized, not society.

–One of your most notable programs was when you brought Oriol Junqueras (ERC) to speak with an Andalusian family, at the height of Catalan independence. Do you believe the 'procés' is dead?

–The 'procés', as a historical moment, I think is over, but that doesn't mean independence has ended. Anyone who thinks it has disappeared from Catalonia is very mistaken. It had a very high point, and now it doesn't. But I notice something that surprises me. It seems the 'procés' has taken the air bridge because I detect behaviours, mainly in Madrid, that I used to see more in Catalonia. Sometimes I see attitudes that remind me of those moments of the most fervent 'procés'.

–You mentioned that Isabel Díaz Ayuso would be the first female president of Spain and the natural candidate against Pedro Sánchez. Do you still hold that view?

–I completely maintain it. It's like the final level of a video game, Sánchez-Ayuso. They seem to me the two most formidable political animals that have appeared in Spain in recent years. And, by the way, I would like to tell Ayuso that we would be delighted to interview her, even though she has never wanted to so far.