Fiorello returns to Sicily
So many memories and so many emotions...!

Saro Fiorello comes back home.  He is back in that triangle of emotions that are the Teatro Antico di Taormina, a few steps from the other two points:  Letojanni (the town of his father Nicola) and Giardini Naxos (that of his mother Sara).  In the same theatre that was off limits to him back when movie stars came to receive their David of Donatello prize but in which on Friday he will enter as the main attraction, on that very stage, for his own show, Stasera paghi te (and the day after he will be in Agrigento, in the Valley of the Temples). 

Are you nervous, Fiorello?  Nervous?
"That's the least of it." 

Let's go through some memories.
"This is where my memories of childhood and of the teen years are.  We used to live in Augusta but each summer we would to our maternal and paternal grandparents back and forth between Letojanni and Giardini.  Then when I got a bit older, I used to work at the restaurant "La Lampara" managed by my cousin Antonio, then the first discos, the first loves...And the actors who came for the David whom I would spy on pushing among the crowds.  Wonderful times!"  

And now people must push and shove to come see you.
"Yeah, but I don't let it go to my head.  I surely appreciate and love the attention of the people, but I keep my feet to the ground.  When I used to be an entertainer at the resorts I did not want to be a celebrity at any cost. I now see kids today that want to be soccer players and Veline on Strisica.  But after all, those are the models that television gives.  

It gets worse.  There are people who dream about become the next Taricone.
"I hope they take it easy on Grande Fratello 2 but on the papers I recently read previews that don't give me much hope and the aim is for heavy stuff.  I already thought that the second edition was already a bit much to begin with" 

But television is like that.  Even you, for a short while, after a few hits by the public, were almost swallowed by the shadows.
"That's because I did not want to push too hard, I refused what some had proposed to me. I knew well enough to wait.  And believe me, I did not suffer from it. I was simply at the window and watched others.  The biggest satisfaction was that when I got to come back to Raiuno with my show, I had a chance to show what I really could do, I found out the people had not forgotten me at all.  Not something that happens every day.  

And besides, now there is theatre.
"Truly a unique experience, new each night.  I love to improvise, it's like swimming in familiar waters" 

And television?
"For now I just watch it.  Not to be a snob, but since getting satellite television I watch all the Dorello, Alberto Lupo and Mina of the years past. 

An elegant way to say that today's variety shows stink.
"Let's not generalize.  I am sure that the next Saturday evenings, with the competition between Panariello and Bonolis will be an interesting battle.  And I am happy for Baudo's return to Sanremo.  It ensures success".  

Mammucari at the "Dopofestival"?
"Excellent choice.  Teo will not hold back even hitting Pippo himself and besides, Pippo will be able to manage the situation all by himself".

Back to Fiorello.  A return to television? 
"Next year, with Stasera pago io number 2.  While on tour I am gathering quite a bit of material. 

From the amphitheatre of Valtur in Brucoli to the Greek theatre in Taormina: a short distance in kilometres but what has changed?
"Nothing really inside me since I am conscious of who I am and what I do"

If your father Nicola were still alive he would be proud...
"You know what, from the theatre in Taormina you can actually see a bit of the cemetery of Letojanni...Well, don't make me think about it otherwise....