Albena Vuleva, journalist and presenter of Signalno Zhulto (Striking Yellow entertainment gossip show, on SKAT Television) talks to Velina Nacheva about freedom of speech and libe-ralising the media's language; show business; fears and life.
For many people Signalno Zhulto is a provocative and contradictory programme, how would you define it and where do the negative reactions come from?
The show is a favourite in Bulgaria. Its rating has not moved at all which I think is an achievement, keeping in mind that it's broadcast on cable television. The negative reactions, as far as they exist, come on behalf of people who have been discussed or criticised on the programme. This is normal to some extent and as you know there are court procedures in many countries against paparazzi programmes as ours. As to the Council for Electronic Media's reaction, it was a little bit exaggerated, and it was exercised under some pressure. We know that Bulgaria is a small country and everyone is a friend of somebody else, there are subjective factors that influence such decisions. We have been fined five times for five editions of the programme and CEM said that we have violated the personal inviolability of these citizens. This is completely out of the question.
Which are the programmes mentioned and who are the people illustrated in these programmes?
It was in the beginning of the show, and the people were Lili Ivanova, Hacho Boiadjiev, Romanian from the duo (the Romanian and Enchev), Sashka Vassev and the folk singer Petra. These were programmes with people being depicted and the commentaries in question by no means touched their personal sphere. We have not talked about nor portrayed their intimate lives. They were commentaries about their appearance and careers. You understand that it is impossible then to talk about inviolability of the person as they are public figures. We have changed the approach of the programme after these acts so that we live in some symbiosis with the CEM. I think that it was matter of friendly favours rather than some real violation. I don't know if the CEM is really strict with the inviolability of the people as there are many other cases when there was a real violation of citizens and the media did not pay it so much attention.
How did the idea for the programme appear and whose idea was it?
The idea was conceived by the owners of SKAT television. I don't know how they were inspired for this programme. Maybe they had seen examples of some Western programmes and we know that they are all very successful. The idea was to attract television viewers and nothing else. The way we make the programme is my job, with the help of a team working on the show. SKAT television's management does not interfere with the programme.
Did you imagine Signalno Zhulto would be the way it is today and did you ever predict that people would react this way?
Honestly speaking I initially wanted to make it become something smooth. Still, from the first programmes, I was the only person working toward this. I saw some things, which were also interesting to viewers. Since I have worked for a television station for quite a long time I knew what would be interesting to people. I was aware that a more acute programme has a guaranteed success and I decided that the risk could be taken. SKAT wanted exactly the same programme as it is presently. I correctly predicted the reaction, all kinds of attacks came with the first shows. I think that the purpose of the programme is more or less achieved.
Do you think that your frequent appearance in Slavi's show demonstrates Signalno Zhulto's success, or his fear of competition?
Slavi Trifonov and I had a very unpleasant physical clash at the festival in Albena regarding beer. This was surprising to me and in this I see some worry about competition. He presented things as if he was protecting the guild from people like myself, but I suppose that it is just a fear of competition. In less than a month after a new programme appeared on television, so much noise was made about it. I think that from a professional point of view, Slavi Trifonov did not like this.
Did your programme reflect on your personal life and if you could turn back the time would you still make the same choice?
If I could turn time back, I would start walking on the same path for sure, because I think that Signalno Zhulto was a very successful move. It changed my personal life to the extent that it took away from me my freedom. I go around with a bodyguard everywhere and I cannot go out freely without someone with me. I cannot go to certain places where an unexpected situation could occur, and scandals have happened. I foresaw this. I do not have regrets.
How much of yourself is your real personality and how much of it is just an advertising strategy?
To a very big extent the programme is like me. I am the main person in the programme and I choose the topic and lines of it according to my personal decision. Let's us not forget that this is a product for the big masses and it needs to meet some requirements and be interesting and to also be coordinated with what is topical. Many of the things in the programme are not interesting personally to me, but other people find them interesting. Of course some relative objectivity is sought for, to the extent that an author commentary programme can, as there is always some subjectivity in it. I try to reflect not only my opinion but also other people's thoughts and commentaries. It is 90 per cent me and 10 per cent show in the programme.
What feelings do you see in people who meet you?
The ones who react in an unpleasant way are famous people who have been discussed on Signalno Zhulto. I have had reactions from such people through telephone calls and rows. I have never ever had a viewer who is not a famous person stop me on the street and express negative opinions. On the contrary, people come and express their recommendations and impressions.
Recently you are not allowed to enter many parties or events, so how do you see the future of Signalno Zhulto?
Honestly speaking, we have always found material and the method of taping is different of course. Recently we are invited to more and more parties. There are stars who realise that it is good advertising to be on the programme. And on the other side if someone is not a star then he will not be in the programme and in a way it is some recognition for the person. More and more we are invited and people look for us to give interviews. This is not so good on one side, because if everybody gives interviews to us, then the moment of surprise and intrigue will disappear. People from show business accept us easier.
Are you ever afraid?
I am not afraid. If I were then I would not be doing this job. I have taken all protective measures. I don't think that I should be stopped and we must not let scares prevent us from making such programmes.
When you are not in front of camera what are you like?
I watch all kinds of programmes and read a lot. I try to follow everything that is happening. I have no time to be living without the programme. I listen to gossip from people and thank God we have those who call and share.
What imposed the usage of self-irony in one of your programmes?
We had a birthday and I decided that after a year on screen I could afford to treat myself the same way as the people I discuss on the programme. I have often received letters from viewers advising me to talk against myself. I was abrupt to myself. What I wanted to say is that when we are part of society and we are talked about, then we should be ready to hear everything about ourselves. I showed that I could do the same thing to myself.
Is there active show business in Bulgaria?
There are enough things happening and they exceed even the number of people living in a small country as Bulgaria. We have too many show stars.
Is there freedom of speech, considering the recent shutdown of a whole television channel?
Freedom of speech is a relative concept. It should not be mixed with too much liberty. There must be control to a certain extent. It is a different story how this control is exercised. Not everything is for exposure in front of the camera and in front of an audience.
Have your friends changed after you became famous?
Now I have more people who want to be friends with me. People who were my friends before have not changed at all.
Do they criticise you?
Everybody around me gives ideas and they advise on what I could use and comment about. I am always open to hear it and I try to accept other ideas.
What are you planning for 2004?
The format will remain the same and we will try to emphasise the paparazzi pictures.
How do you see yourself in five year's time?
I am not the kind of person who would make plans. I live for the moment. The very few times I made plans my life changed with unexpected results. I will continue with Signalno Zhulto as long as the programme is interesting for viewers and has more to show and talk about.
For many people Signalno Zhulto is a provocative and contradictory programme, how would you define it and where do the negative reactions come from?
The show is a favourite in Bulgaria. Its rating has not moved at all which I think is an achievement, keeping in mind that it's broadcast on cable television. The negative reactions, as far as they exist, come on behalf of people who have been discussed or criticised on the programme. This is normal to some extent and as you know there are court procedures in many countries against paparazzi programmes as ours. As to the Council for Electronic Media's reaction, it was a little bit exaggerated, and it was exercised under some pressure. We know that Bulgaria is a small country and everyone is a friend of somebody else, there are subjective factors that influence such decisions. We have been fined five times for five editions of the programme and CEM said that we have violated the personal inviolability of these citizens. This is completely out of the question.
Which are the programmes mentioned and who are the people illustrated in these programmes?
It was in the beginning of the show, and the people were Lili Ivanova, Hacho Boiadjiev, Romanian from the duo (the Romanian and Enchev), Sashka Vassev and the folk singer Petra. These were programmes with people being depicted and the commentaries in question by no means touched their personal sphere. We have not talked about nor portrayed their intimate lives. They were commentaries about their appearance and careers. You understand that it is impossible then to talk about inviolability of the person as they are public figures. We have changed the approach of the programme after these acts so that we live in some symbiosis with the CEM. I think that it was matter of friendly favours rather than some real violation. I don't know if the CEM is really strict with the inviolability of the people as there are many other cases when there was a real violation of citizens and the media did not pay it so much attention.
How did the idea for the programme appear and whose idea was it?
The idea was conceived by the owners of SKAT television. I don't know how they were inspired for this programme. Maybe they had seen examples of some Western programmes and we know that they are all very successful. The idea was to attract television viewers and nothing else. The way we make the programme is my job, with the help of a team working on the show. SKAT television's management does not interfere with the programme.
Did you imagine Signalno Zhulto would be the way it is today and did you ever predict that people would react this way?
Honestly speaking I initially wanted to make it become something smooth. Still, from the first programmes, I was the only person working toward this. I saw some things, which were also interesting to viewers. Since I have worked for a television station for quite a long time I knew what would be interesting to people. I was aware that a more acute programme has a guaranteed success and I decided that the risk could be taken. SKAT wanted exactly the same programme as it is presently. I correctly predicted the reaction, all kinds of attacks came with the first shows. I think that the purpose of the programme is more or less achieved.
Do you think that your frequent appearance in Slavi's show demonstrates Signalno Zhulto's success, or his fear of competition?
Slavi Trifonov and I had a very unpleasant physical clash at the festival in Albena regarding beer. This was surprising to me and in this I see some worry about competition. He presented things as if he was protecting the guild from people like myself, but I suppose that it is just a fear of competition. In less than a month after a new programme appeared on television, so much noise was made about it. I think that from a professional point of view, Slavi Trifonov did not like this.
Did your programme reflect on your personal life and if you could turn back the time would you still make the same choice?
If I could turn time back, I would start walking on the same path for sure, because I think that Signalno Zhulto was a very successful move. It changed my personal life to the extent that it took away from me my freedom. I go around with a bodyguard everywhere and I cannot go out freely without someone with me. I cannot go to certain places where an unexpected situation could occur, and scandals have happened. I foresaw this. I do not have regrets.
How much of yourself is your real personality and how much of it is just an advertising strategy?
To a very big extent the programme is like me. I am the main person in the programme and I choose the topic and lines of it according to my personal decision. Let's us not forget that this is a product for the big masses and it needs to meet some requirements and be interesting and to also be coordinated with what is topical. Many of the things in the programme are not interesting personally to me, but other people find them interesting. Of course some relative objectivity is sought for, to the extent that an author commentary programme can, as there is always some subjectivity in it. I try to reflect not only my opinion but also other people's thoughts and commentaries. It is 90 per cent me and 10 per cent show in the programme.
What feelings do you see in people who meet you?
The ones who react in an unpleasant way are famous people who have been discussed on Signalno Zhulto. I have had reactions from such people through telephone calls and rows. I have never ever had a viewer who is not a famous person stop me on the street and express negative opinions. On the contrary, people come and express their recommendations and impressions.
Recently you are not allowed to enter many parties or events, so how do you see the future of Signalno Zhulto?
Honestly speaking, we have always found material and the method of taping is different of course. Recently we are invited to more and more parties. There are stars who realise that it is good advertising to be on the programme. And on the other side if someone is not a star then he will not be in the programme and in a way it is some recognition for the person. More and more we are invited and people look for us to give interviews. This is not so good on one side, because if everybody gives interviews to us, then the moment of surprise and intrigue will disappear. People from show business accept us easier.
Are you ever afraid?
I am not afraid. If I were then I would not be doing this job. I have taken all protective measures. I don't think that I should be stopped and we must not let scares prevent us from making such programmes.
When you are not in front of camera what are you like?
I watch all kinds of programmes and read a lot. I try to follow everything that is happening. I have no time to be living without the programme. I listen to gossip from people and thank God we have those who call and share.
What imposed the usage of self-irony in one of your programmes?
We had a birthday and I decided that after a year on screen I could afford to treat myself the same way as the people I discuss on the programme. I have often received letters from viewers advising me to talk against myself. I was abrupt to myself. What I wanted to say is that when we are part of society and we are talked about, then we should be ready to hear everything about ourselves. I showed that I could do the same thing to myself.
Is there active show business in Bulgaria?
There are enough things happening and they exceed even the number of people living in a small country as Bulgaria. We have too many show stars.
Is there freedom of speech, considering the recent shutdown of a whole television channel?
Freedom of speech is a relative concept. It should not be mixed with too much liberty. There must be control to a certain extent. It is a different story how this control is exercised. Not everything is for exposure in front of the camera and in front of an audience.
Have your friends changed after you became famous?
Now I have more people who want to be friends with me. People who were my friends before have not changed at all.
Do they criticise you?
Everybody around me gives ideas and they advise on what I could use and comment about. I am always open to hear it and I try to accept other ideas.
What are you planning for 2004?
The format will remain the same and we will try to emphasise the paparazzi pictures.
How do you see yourself in five year's time?
I am not the kind of person who would make plans. I live for the moment. The very few times I made plans my life changed with unexpected results. I will continue with Signalno Zhulto as long as the programme is interesting for viewers and has more to show and talk about.
