Avanti Ciné Vidéo Distributions is celebrating the return of the Love Bugs (Un gars, une fille) format in Italy, twenty years after its first adaptation in the country. Airing since yesterday in prime time, Monday to Friday at 7:30 p.m., on TV8 (a channel belonging to the Sky Italia group), the adaptation, titled Love Bugs, stars actors Brenda Lodigiani and Michele Rosiello. This is the 39th adaptation of the universal concept created by Guy A. Lepage.
“As is the case in Quebec, the popularity of the Love Bugs format is not waning; on the contrary, it is constantly reinventing itself, proving its timelessness and its ability to adapt internationally. Italy is a perfect example: after its initial success twenty years ago, the series is back with a new couple who are already captivating audiences. We have been working closely with the producers for several months and we wish this new production the reception it deserves,” says Monique Lamoureux, co-president of Avanti Ciné Vidéo Distributions.
“It is a great pleasure to represent the Love Bugs format on the international stage for the past 25 years. With its 39 different adaptations, Love Bugs is still the most adapted scripted format in international TV history and loved by millions of viewers all around the world. Love Bugs has put Quebec on the map as a leader in creativity in the format business. As a university student, I moved to Venice, Italy from Montreal to learn the Italian language and culture. This latest version is a particular point of pride for me having followed the adaptation of the original French Canadian scripts into Italian and worked with top producers in Italy to bring forth this modern version of Quebec’s beloved format Love Bugs,” mentions Arabelle Pouliot-Di Crescenzo, who negotiated the contract for Avanti Ciné Vidéo Distributions.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Love Bugs back to Italy. It’s a timeless, hilarious, and deeply relatable celebration of everyday love — and we can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with it all over again,” declares the Chief of formats at Blu Yazmine, Maria Luigia Vinciguerra.
Love Bugs continues its international expansion, with active discussions underway in numerous territories. New seasons are being considered in Albania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, given the public’s enthusiasm, which confirms the vitality of the title : a true global phenomenon.
