The host, producer and essayist had become known with his brother Igor for his popularization work and his controversial scientific contributions.
Grichka Bogdanoff, one of the two star twins of the 1980s, died yesterday at the age of 72 in a Paris hospital, following complications from Covid-19.
This colorful character, holder of a doctorate in mathematics and a graduate of Science-Po Paris, became known with his brother in the 1980s with the program “Temps X”. It was a motley magazine on the border of popular science, science fiction and pop culture that propelled them to the front of the stage; since then, they have become essentials of the French media landscape with many television programs and successful books, but also many controversies.
Death at 72 of Grichka, one of the two Bogdanoff brothers (agent) #AFP pic.twitter.com/6niLJY9Cuq
– Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) December 28, 2021
Media icons with contested legitimacy
Indeed, their very liberal approach to popularization has often aroused mockery, even harsh criticism, and frontal opposition from the scientific community; many researchers have often questioned the validity of their scientific contributions. We remember in particular the famous “Bognanoff affair”, which took on planetary proportions when a recognized physicist accused them of having obtained their doctorates on the basis of hoaxes. Despite everything, they have always vigorously defended themselves against these attacks against their legitimacy, going so far as to sue their opponents, including the CNRS.
Their popularity also came from their singular physical appearance, about which they have always maintained the mystery by refuting any recourse to cosmetic surgery. “We are experimenters”’, Was content to explain Grichka in an interview spotted by Le Monde. “In the experiment there are a number of small protocols. These are very advanced technologies, which is why the mystery has lasted so long. “
Now become icons of kitsch science of the 80s, the two brothers had been much more discreet in the media in recent years. Despite the controversies, Grichka Bogdanoff nevertheless leaves an indelible mark in French media history.
