The show featured guests who were current newsmakers, including actors, writers, singers, politicians, and athletes.
The show gradually acquired a provocative reputation, because the host did not hesitate to ask guests questions about their private and sexual lives.
Thierry Ardisson was the main host, initially accompanied by Laurent Ruquier and Linda Hardy.
A Canadian version debuted in 2004 on Ici Radio-Canada Télé with Guy A. Lepage as host and Dany Turcotte as le fou du roi ("the jester").
The format has also been adopted in Algeria and Lebanon, both under the name Hadiss El Balad ("Talk of the town"), and in Albania as Zonë e lirë ("Free Zone").