Wider circle transmission 1968 1970. Wider circle around. Excerpts from the interview

Exactly 40 years ago, the masters of the Soviet stage first stood in the same circle with the people. Anyone could be a star of the Soviet Union - to do this, you just need to become a participant in the “Wider Circle” program. It was in this program that the viewer first saw such modern artists as Dmitry Malikov, Leonid Agutin, Natasha Koroleva, Taisiya Povaliy, Valeria, and Philip Kirkorov. Evening of surprises: all about the Shire Krug program, its creators and participants. Watch Let them talk 08/25/2016 - Around the Wider Circle.

The broadcast of the program begins in an unusual way: instead of Andrei Malakhov, Vyacheslav Malezhik and Ekaterina Semenova act as presenters: “Today we are in our place, because exactly 40 years ago the youth music program “Wider Circle” was broadcast on Soviet television! And as TV presenters of this program, we announce the beginning of this evening. And now you will see the performance of artist Yuri Antonov.”

Let them talk - There's a wider circle around

To the song “Wider Circle”, numerous participants in the popular Soviet TV show enter the hall holding hands!

The presenter introduces the editor-in-chief and creator of the famous program “Wider Circle” - Olga Molchanova.

— The idea of ​​the program was to bring together both stars and non-stars, but, most importantly, talented people. A person, at a minimum, must have a voice, and at a maximum, a complete set of all qualities. My task was to be able to discern talent in young people.

Here’s what Philip Kirkorov remembers about his participation in the program:

— It all started with “Wider Circle.” I remember the white suit I wore on the show in 1985. Vyacheslav Zaitsev sewed it for me. I didn’t like the way I sang, the way I moved, the way I looked - I understood that everything was terrible!

“However, at the same time, I understood that tomorrow I would wake up as a superstar. And today I say: SPA-SI-BO, Wider circle. Thanks to Olga Borisovna for helping me realize it.

Olga Molchanova about Yuri Antonov:

— Yura was from the list of banned artists. I saw him on a cruise where he was working part-time. I really liked him, I talked to him and said that it wouldn’t hurt for him to lose weight in order to appear on TV. Yura was terribly offended, but soon he condescended and I invited him to the shooting.

Yuri Antonov:

- Olga knew how to invite in such a way that you could no longer refuse. The atmosphere at the program was friendly, no one was chasing money at that time. Despite censorship, Olga ensured that talented artists became famous.

Shire Krug: 40 years of the program

“Neon Boy” enters the hall, whom Olga Borisovna immediately recognizes: Sergei Makarov - former lead singer of the group “Neon Boy”:

“My parents were against me studying music and performing, but they still had to come to terms with it. Fame came to me after the “Wider Circle” program. We were a kind of “St. Petersburg Tender May.” Today I still make music and am a member of the Discomafia group. And recently I became a father!

Wider Circle: Valeria, Julian, Natasha Koroleva

In the studio, let them say: singer Julian, who claims that he came to Shire Krug literally from the street. Olga Molchanova: “He came from the street, but with his mother. He sang very well - a musical boy!

And in 1987, the girl Natasha Poryvai came to the program for the first time, and then the country learned about the singer Natasha Koroleva! The artist talks about how she got into the Shire circle:

— To be honest, it was very difficult to get there. I ended up there thanks to Lev Valeryanovich Leshchenko. For me it was an important and unforgettable event in my life: to be on central television at the age of 13! At that time, it was enough to be on one broadcast for the whole country to know you. Thank you, Olga Borisovna, because my path to the big stage began with this program.

Yaroslav Evdokimov, Nadezhda Chepraga and Mikhail Fainzilberg in Shira Krug

In “Around the Wider Circle” - Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Yaroslav Evdokimov, who only once hosted the “Wider Circle” program:

— When I began to read the text, suddenly the Western Ukrainian dialect and Polish-Belarusian accent disappeared from me. Olga Borisovna was shocked and someone even shouted to her: “Where did you find this Levitan?” I was no longer invited to be the presenter.

For 10 years, Nizhny Tagil resident Viktor Fast was a participant in the “Shire Krug” program. The man came out into the studio with a balalaika in his hands.

— I worked as a mechanic at that time. The first time I came to filming with an ensemble, Olga Borisovna noticed me and the next time I arrived alone.

Olga Molchanova:

“When I first saw her, I was amazed by her beauty. Still, it’s nice to see beautiful faces on the screen.

An unprecedented surprise for Olga Borisovna: a clergyman, and in the past a rock musician and member of the Krug ensemble, Mikhail Fainzilberg, enters the hall. 25 years ago he unexpectedly left the big stage and became a novice in an Orthodox monastery.

“I’ve been wearing this outfit since 1993.” I live in a cell. I atone for my sins before my loved ones whom I once offended...

You will also see singer Anastasia in the studio. Watch the episode Let Them Talk - Around the Wider Circle 08/25/2016 (broadcast on August 25, 2016).

Like( 4 ) I do not like( 0 )

Funny boys

From 1982 to 1990, the humorous program “Jolly Fellows” appeared on the country’s television screens, which was very popular.

At the beginning, the program was created as a competition. The winners were awarded a yellow leader's hat and trips to Gabrovo (Bulgaria) to the international humor festival. The presenter was Alexander Maslyakov. Andrey Knyshev described it this way: The participants sat in a big yellow hat, went on stage, and tried to joke. The winners went to Gabrovo. Some competition participants subsequently became participants in the new program - Igor Tarashchansky, Sergey Shustitsky, Evgeny Voskresensky, Leonid Sergeev, Dmitry Dibrov. The television program featured ironic parodies of popular programs aired at that time on the Soviet stage. Various pranks filmed on a hidden camera, as well as humorous musical numbers parodying famous Soviet pop artists. The singers and musicians themselves also performed.

The program "Wider Circle", created in 1976. Duration - from 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. On December 30, 1976, the first episode of the program was included in the New Year's broadcast of Central Television. The program was loved by the public, although it did not have the same rating as other CT music programs. On modern television, the program “Wider Circle” was taken as a basis by “Minute of Fame”. Young talents showed themselves in various fields of pop art. In dance and song, instrumental and folk music, folk art and the circus genre, everything could be seen in this program. Pop stars also performed on par with young talented performers. The program was filmed in various cities of the Soviet Union, in various sports palaces and cultural palaces of some factories, in which it was impossible to create optimal conditions as in the Ostankino television studio. For 25 years, the program revealed new names to the public.

“You Can Do It” (EVM) is a popular science television program dedicated to scientific and technical creativity, aired on Soviet television in the 1970s and 1980s. The program was a demonstration and discussion of various inventions, home-made designs from any area of ​​the national economy, from various modified saucepans to self-constructed cars, boats and airplanes. After demonstrating a working example of the invention, it was discussed by invited experts - scientists, inventors, writers and other specialists. There was a lively discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the presented model and the possibility of its subsequent production and use. This was one of the few programs on Soviet television where polar points of view were expressed on a particular problem, thanks to this, as well as the breadth of the issues discussed, the program was very popular and had a large television audience.

GOOG night kids

“Good night, kids” is a television program for preschoolers and elementary school students. The program first aired on September 1, 1964. The pilot programs consisted of drawings and voiceover text. A little later, puppet shows appeared in the program; the actors were artists from the Moscow Art Theater and the Satire Theater. The first puppet actors were the hare Tyopa and Pinocchio, the dolls Myamlik and Shustrik. Participants in the program also included children under the age of six and theater actors who told them fairy tales. In a later period, such characters as the piglet Khryusha, the dog Filya, the crow Karkusha, the bunny Stepashka and others were introduced, who received the voices of actors from the theater of Sergei Obraztsov. The peak of the television show's popularity occurred in the early 1970s. The children's television program was a short interlude within the framework of a moral and educational theme, as well as a cartoon show.

“Time” - under this name an information program appeared in 1968 on Central Television. The program was assigned a permanent airtime starting in 1972, which was scheduled for 21:00. The program formed its concept of the sequence of news presentation already in the first years of its existence. This concept continues to this day: first comes the protocol on the top officials of the state, then news from the periphery, followed by economic, cultural and sports news in the same sequence, and finally, the weather forecast.

Olga Molchanova was born in Yekaterinburg on March 27, 1949. In 1976, the musical performance “Wider Circle” was broadcast on the central television channel. The program became an unprecedented breakthrough for that period - the ratings went through the roof. Olga Molchanova, editor of “Wider Circle”, was at the same time the inspirer, soul, creator and representative person of this project.

Awards and merits

Thanks to her participation, the domestic stage received stars whose names became known in every home. It was on the set of this program that such personalities as M. Zadornov, A. Malinin, Natalya Koroleva, F. Kirkorov and many others first appeared. For most artists of that time, Olga Molchanova became a second, creative, mother.

The presenter is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. In addition, Olga Borisovna is a laureate of the national-scale “Ovation” award in the category “Making a special contribution to the development of music on television.” In 2001, “Wider Circle” was broadcast on the TVC channel. With the decline in the popularity rating of the program, Molchanova actively works in other countries, especially often visiting Israel.

Excerpts from the interview

Olga Molchanova, editor of “Wider Circle,” stated in one of her interviews that the anniversary edition of the program was filmed on February 11 in the Rossiya concert hall. Its hosts were five famous actresses who had already performed in this role at one time. Among them are Ekaterina Apina, Tatyana Ovsienko, and Jasmine. The only male representative in the person of the actor diluted the purely female team

The presenter of “Full House” R. Dubovitskaya said that it was she who gave impetus to Gena’s talent. By and large, Vetrov first appeared on TV screens in the 80s with his own unique performance - simultaneously playing one and a half dozen instruments in the project “Wider Circle”. At that time, the actor was a member of the Buff theater group from Leningrad. The first significant steps on stage in this program were taken by the young Ukrainian Oleg Zhigalkin in the genre of parody. Now he has been awarded the title of People's Artist of Ukraine.

According to Olga Molchanova, Oleg was serving in the army when his comrades wrote a letter to the editor saying that their colleague perfectly imitated popular artists and even imitated Zykina’s timbre. The editorial board decided to invite him to the set, and Zhigalkin, as a young soldier, climbed the ladder of popularity. For the first time, another star person appeared in the program - Nina Shestakova, well-known and very revered in the post-Soviet space, who worked for some time in the team of Sofia Rotaru. After years of oblivion, viewers were again able to see Nina in the anniversary program.

Olga Borisovna Molchanova, whose biography is full of numerous acquaintances (including on the personal front) with various stars, does not hesitate to say that feelings played a decisive role in the choice of a soloist to participate in the program. However, all such prerogatives justified themselves one hundred percent, since the people turned out to be truly talented, which is confirmed by the love of fans and time.

Difficulties and overcoming them

Igor Matvienko once brought a cassette with sketches of the group “Ivanushki International” with a request to listen to it and give a chance to the guys in the most popular program at that time, “Wider Circle”. After studying the material, Molchanova simply fell in love with this group, especially the lead singer I. Sorin, who, in her opinion, had incredible charm and talent.

The guys performed in several “Wider Circle” programs. According to Olga Molchanova herself, whose biography is full of various events, she is glad that with her help the team was at the peak of popularity. By the way, a unique creative “discovery” performed on the site - a mega-talented eight-year-old girl, Evgenia Aldukhova from Bryansk, who was predicted to have a great future. She performs solo concerts and has recorded more than twenty songs live.

Conflict moments with wards

When asked about conflict situations with celebrities, Olga Borisovna replied that such things had happened. For example, the episode with Tatyana Markova, which happened during filming in Pyatigorsk. The participants were accommodated in a beautiful and fashionable sanatorium; Tanya and her husband were given a junior suite. Kornelyuk, Y. Evdokimov and many others lived in the same apartments. There were only two suites allocated. Mikhail Muromova was placed in one together with the musicians, and the second was occupied directly by Molchanova, since the room was also the headquarters of the television program.

But Markova felt a little cramped and uncomfortable in her junior suite with her husband, and she, positioning herself as an unsurpassed star, gave an ultimatum, saying that if she was not moved to a suite, she would leave. The program would hardly have suffered from her absence, but Olga Molchanova, editor of “Wider Circle,” whose biography contains a minimum of conflict disputes, decided to give up her number to the artist.

"Creative Mom's" Favorites

Often, editors' so-called "own" artists are those who pay. In Soviet times, such a comprehensive practice practically did not exist, but organizers who were not entirely honest even then demanded financial compensation from the performers, knowing about their interest in television broadcasting. Olga Molchanova claims that such relationships with artists were unacceptable for her; she bet on those whom she “discovered” and loved.

She valued and developed talent and a promising future. This is Dmitry Malikov, who at the age of 16 performed the composition “Sunny City”. Definitely Philip Kirkorov, seeing whom for the first time, the editor of “Wider Circle” doubted his brilliant career. Despite the impressive external data, combined with internal culture and musicality, the vocal part left much to be desired. “Creative Mom” did not even imagine that a person would make such a giant leap and become a mega-popular pop singer. Among Olga Borisovna’s favorites:

• Serov Alexander;
• Yaroslav Evdokimov;
• accordion guru Valery Kovtun;
• Dobrynin Vyacheslav.

By the way, the last artist fell into disgrace with government authorities who approved the program participants. Despite this, Olga Molchanova, whose photo is presented below, promoted him to the big stage.

Personal preferences

At one time, one of Olga’s favorites was Mikhail Muromov. They formed a contact after a recommendation from a friend when Misha worked as a head waiter. For some time they had an affair with expensive gifts. After a cooling in their relationship, Muromov and Olga Borisovna Molchanova, whose biography is surrounded very often by stars, remained good friends. Many artists have more than once helped their “godmother” morally and financially.

I first heard about Lena Agutin from his father, Nikolai. Kolya at one time was the director of Slava Malezhik, the host of the “Wider Circle” program. And, accordingly, I was friends with Slava. Nikolai once told me: “Olya, I have such a cool kid growing up - I think you’ll like it. I’ll show you in a few years.” He dreamed of taking his son to the stage. But it was not he who brought Lenya to me, but Oleg Nekrasov, who became Lenin’s director many years later. This happened in the early 1990s.

Oleg went to music editorial offices and suggested the young artist everywhere, but, as I understand it, to no avail. One day he brought him to our “Wider Circle” program. Frankly, Leonid did not make any special impression on me then. “This is a rumba” - that, in my opinion, was the name of the song that Lenya first performed in the “Wider Circle” program. Then he began to appear in other programs. Well, then he sang “Barefoot Boy” and instantly became popular.

A couple of years later, Igor Krutoy asked me: “How do you like Agutin?” I think Igor helped Lena in his promotion. I answer: “No way.” - “We bet he will be a star?” I argued and, as you understand, I lost. (Laughs.) This is perhaps the only case when I didn’t guess right. But now Agutin is one of my favorite artists.

With Vyacheslav Malezhik (1980s). Photo: From the personal archive of Olga Molchanova

- Igor Krutoy also did not immediately become known to the general public and made his way to the musical Olympus with difficulties.

Igor owes everything to Alexander Serov, his voice, charisma. He became popular earlier. The first song that Sasha sang in the “Wider Circle” program and in general on Central Television was written not by Krutoy, but by Zhenya Martynov. This is “Echo of First Love” to the words of Rozhdestvensky.

With this song Martynov and Serov appeared in our editorial office on Shabolovka. Zhenya introduced me to Sasha. We liked the song and recorded it right away. And all of us, the editors, liked Sasha - of course, in his youth he was incredibly handsome! And the voice! And the manner! At that time there were no such “Western” artists on our stage. Serov sang in my program more than once and often spoke about the songs of his friend Igor Krutoy. And I already knew that Igor was not very popular on television. There was such a rustle: the name was somehow suspicious, and most importantly, not a member of the Union of Composers. They preferred that only “members”...

And yet, when Sasha brought Igor Krutoy’s song to the verses of Rimma Kazakova “Madonna”, and then “Do you love me”, the television crew could not resist. They were broadcast, and Krutoy woke up famous.

- Tell us about the “king of pop” Philip Kirkorov. After all, he also became famous thanks to his participation in the program “Wider Circle”.

Philip is the only artist who never tires of saying thank you to the program in any interview - not necessarily to Olga Borisovna Molchanova. (Laughs.) He is a very grateful person. I won’t say that we promoted it, no. But it was in “Shira Krug” that he appeared.

With Philip Kirkorov (early 1990s). Photo: From the personal archive of Olga Molchanova

For Philip, his appearance is his main trump card. I saw him when he was seventeen and was literally blinded by his beauty. He then studied at the Gnessin School, where my close friend, pianist Lydia Lyakhina, worked. She accompanied students from Margarita Iosifovna Landa's class. And one day Lida called me: “Olya, what a guy appeared, it’s crazy! Beautiful as God." By the way, she once “looked after” Seryozha Zakharov (also Landa’s pupil) and introduced me to me. Philip and Sergei in their youth are one person.

When Lida told Philip that she knew me, he began asking her to introduce us, because every performer dreamed of being on the “Wider Circle” program. I allowed him to give me my number, and he began to hang up the phone. And I kept thinking - it’s necessary, it’s not necessary. Lida said that she didn’t sing very well... And when the phone rang, I whispered to my mother that I was not at home. But Philip turned out to be persistent and over time found an approach to his mother - he picked up the key to her heart: he said that she had a young, beautiful voice.

Mom began to persuade: “Listen, Olya, this is becoming indecent - answer the phone. Such a good boy, polite, delicate.” Finally, I made an appointment with him at the editorial office. He came in a white, pressed suit. He stared at me with his already huge eyes. And while we were talking, he stood the whole time.

Sergei Zakharov in the program “Wider Circle”. Photo: Sergey Andreeshchev/TASS Photo Chronicle

- Is it really because of the women present nearby?

He later admitted that he was wearing his only concert suit and was afraid of denting his trousers. He sat down only when he accompanied himself on the piano - he sang Bulgarian songs by Toncho Rusev, his favorite composer. He put the music book on the music stand, and since it had previously been rolled into a tube, while Philip was playing, it jumped off and fell. He was terribly embarrassed. And I had to repeat it again and again. At that meeting, in a professional sense, Kirkorov did not promise anything bright. But all the women of Ostankino and Shabolovka immediately fell in love with him! And they asked me: “When will a beautiful boy appear in your program?”

It was impossible not to give airplay to such a handsome man - just as it was impossible not to help find a songwriter who would make Russian-language subtexts to the melodies of Bulgarian composers. She got on the phone and started calling the “greats”: Derbenev was sick, Tanich said that he had repairs, Shaferan refused. I remembered the poetess Natalya Shemyatenkova, the wife of a big official from the party’s Central Committee. She agreed to the meeting. We went with Philip to her luxurious apartment on Shchuseva Street, her neighbor on the site was Galina Brezhneva. Everything worked out. Natasha immediately fell in love with him, tried very hard, and the songs turned out nice. Philip appeared in several programs, began to gain momentum, grow and strengthen professionally.

- It seems like you gave Natasha Koroleva a start? Who brought her to you?

I was friends with Leva Leshchenko, and he was friends with Natasha’s mother. It was at Levi’s instigation that Koroleva ended up in the “Wider Circle” program - she was only 13 years old at the time. Leva told me that there is a girl in Kyiv who sings well. Leshchenko is an authority for me, so we immediately called Natasha to Moscow, she sang a nice little song about school love. She performed, of course, under her real name - Rip. Alla Perfilova from Atkarsk also sang for the first time in the “Wider Circle” program, while still a student. Now you know her under the name Valeria.

At that time, many artists who went on tour throughout the country brought tapes to our editorial office and said: this guy or girl sings well. There was no video then. We listened to everything that was brought to us, and if we thought that the young performer was really worthy, we invited him to film. Sometimes they were called simply on the recommendations of correspondents. Let's read a letter from some distant corner of the country that there is a talented person, and send a telegram - let him leave. Some kind of inner instinct and the style of the letters themselves suggested a solution. There were practically no mistakes.

With Lev Leshchenko (1974). Photo: From the personal archive of Olga Molchanova

- Did you come with government money?

No, at your own expense. The program was democratic, I’m proud! I myself traveled around the country and, if I came across interesting singers, I dragged them to Moscow. Once I was in Tallinn at a song festival. In the evening we went to the famous night variety show, and there I saw Anne Veski. Free, relaxed in a Western way, smiling... I really liked her, and I invited Anya to the “Wider Circle” program.

Yuri Antonov appeared on screen for the first time in our program. By that time he was already wildly popular, but no one knew what he looked like. The songs were distributed through underground cassettes. And no one dared to show it on TV - an unspoken instruction was sent down from above: if you are not a member of the Union of Composers, do not let him in. But the program “Wider Circle” was assigned to the editorial office of folk art, so everything is logical: an unknown young performer, as if from the people, is taking his first professional steps - we need help. In 1980, we even filmed his small solo concert, which was a great success.

The same Leva Leshchenko introduced us. He talked a lot about Yura, and one day he came to Shabolovka. I was surprised: this is not how I imagined him at all. Thick, well-fed... And she said straight out: you have wonderful songs, you just need to lose weight. I didn’t know Yurin’s character, his touchiness. He got angry, lost his temper and left. But, apparently, he forgave my tactlessness. Then Yura and I became friends, all his best songs were first heard in the “Wider Circle” program.

- What about his character? Yuri Mikhailovich is famous for his quarrelsomeness.

With me he was gentle and affectionate, white and fluffy. But with others... One day we decided to put him as the host of the program. He appeared on stage with singer Tatyana Kovaleva. Yura, of course, did not memorize the text. He snapped at his partner’s comments. He expressed his irritation in a not entirely censorious way. By the middle of the program, we figured out to remove the presenters from the frame and just film the concert numbers - everything in a row. And then they dismissed the audience and recorded the text separately. But it is worth noting that Antonov’s audience idolized him and filled the studio to capacity. Despite the fact that at that time it was difficult to gather an audience. We didn’t pay for participation, as is done today. And the shooting was long and tiring; not everyone could stand it. But crowds of his fans rushed to Antonov and had fun watching the quarrel between the presenters. (Laughs.)

With Yuri Antonov (2006). Photo: From the personal archive of Olga Molchanova

We are still friends with Yura, but he has an explosive temper, and excesses sometimes happen.

- Olga Borisovna, it was possible to get on Soviet television without cronyism, but for money?

Once I was standing in the smoking room on our thirteenth floor. And I hear a conversation on the floor below: “Listen, we need to somehow fit into the New Year’s program. Where should we try? In “Ogonyok” they will ask for money, no, we won’t take it... Let’s go to “Shire Krug” - it’s free there.” You had to pay to participate in the same “Blue Light” or “Morning Mail”. Then I found out that these were the guys from the group “Secret”, who also first appeared on All-Union TV in the program “Wider Circle”.

There was another funny story about money. Composer Ilya Slovesnik brought me his song on audio cassette. He was capable, he wrote good music, and many artists sang his songs, but he wanted to perform them himself. And then he comes, hands over the box, explains that it contains the recording and lyrics of a new song. I say I’ll listen later, I don’t have time now. And so he starts calling: “Olga Borisovna, well, did you listen? No? Have you seen the text? I answer: I’m stuck, what will happen to the text? In short, one day I open the box, and there is money. I don’t remember what the amount was, about the monthly salary of an ordinary engineer. I put it back and listened to the composition. He called again, I said: “Ilyusha, come and pick up the song along with the lyrics.”

I always took on talented people willingly and always helped, although I could get fired from work for some things. More than once I resorted to forgery.

Once Oleg Mityaev - a performer without regalia, not a member of the Union of Composers, at that time a student at the Chelyabinsk Institute of Physical Education - sang a wonderful song of his own composition with us. And I, fearing that they would ask again, having seen an unfamiliar name, a member or not a member of the Union, wrote in the program, which the authorities looked through before the broadcast: “Music by Pakhmutova, poetry by Dobronravov, sung by Oleg Mityaev.” We looked: huh, Pakhmutova? This is good. And they let it go on air. Since the program was being recorded, we later wrote in the credits that the author and performer of the new song was Mityaev. I liked the song.

- How did you find television?

I came to work in 1972, 45 years ago. There were very few entertainment programs. Big concerts are only on holidays. Now I think: maybe this is good! But there was a wonderful KVN. And later - Listyev’s unforgettable programs, his favorite program “Around Laughter”. And to the delight of intellectuals - “The Obvious is the Incredible”, “Kinopanorama”, “In the Animal World”. In general, a lot of interesting things.

Then the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company was headed, according to rumors, by an odious person - Sergei Georgievich Lapin. There were legends about his tough character. But not everyone knew that he was an educated man, had an excellent knowledge of poetry, and quoted from memory many outstanding poets - not only Pushkin, but also the banned Brodsky and Pasternak. Another thing is that Lapin was the head of a huge ideological structure. And this required a lot. Variety programs were also subjected to careful scrutiny for “ideological purity.” For example, he constantly found fault with the lyrics. Once he demanded that the famous “Snowfall” by Alexei Ekimyan performed by Nani Bregvadze be removed from “Song of the Year”. I clung to the line “If a woman asks.” Listen, she says, what is she asking for? A woman shouldn’t be asking so persistently all the time!

He also introduced a system of bans on individual artists and composers. Antonov, Dobrynin, Tukhmanov were not in honor... He said: “Let them sing in restaurants.” Even such a seemingly patriotic song by Dobrynin as “Native Land” evoked negative emotions. They say that the motive is not Russian, it looks more like the Middle East, and the words are strange: “Dear, dear...” Who are we so persistently convincing that our Soviet land is dear to us? They tried to intercede, saying that the song was so popular that even drunk people sing it. So, he says, let drunk people perform, but don’t do it on television. For a long time, Slava Dobrynin was unable to break through. Anna German helped, performing his “White Bird Cherry”.

With Vyacheslav Dobrynin (1989). Photo: From the personal archive of Olga Molchanova

This is the story behind this famous song. Lapin looked through all the holiday programs, and always - “Wider Circle”. He was helped by a music consultant - Nikita Bogoslovsky, who did not like Dobrynin. It was he who reported that a certain Molchanova was recording Dobrynin’s song “White Bird Cherry” with not just anyone, but with Anna German. Lapin is furious! His favorite singer, the adored German, together with the hated Dobrynin and Molchanova, who always needs something, create chaos. He called me in for a scolding, and I declared from the doorway: “Sergei Georgievich, here’s the story. Anya and I recorded a completely different song for the program “Song Far and Close.” And suddenly Anna told me that Slava Dobrynin brought her a wonderful “Cheremyukha”. The soundtrack is already ready. And she asked for an opportunity to sing it. Sergei Georgievich, you understand, I could not tell our foreign artist that the composer Dobrynin does not enjoy the attention of television executives, that he is actually a banned composer in our country. How would she understand me? That's why I agreed. And we recorded - there was still some studio time left."

In fact, I openly asked: “Come on, Anya, let’s record “Cheremyukha” - with this you will help a young talented composer.”

Slava was quite persistent and even unceremonious when he wanted to please. Handsome, charming, he immediately captivated everyone. Both Anya and me. It's a thing of the past - we even had an affair with him.

- It turns out he didn’t have to enter the “text of the song” separately?

I laughed because Lapin told me then: “I heard that Dobrynin runs around the editorial offices with a briefcase full of money, and gives money to all the editors. Does he pay you too?” I say: “Sergei Georgievich, I didn’t receive any money from Dobrynin. And he is not so generous as to give away money. He's even stingy. I think it’s gossip about the briefcase.”
I remembered this episode from Malakhov in the “Let Them Talk” program. Slava was very offended by me. And he called half the night asking why I said that. Made me hysterical. (Laughs.) But, objectively speaking, he was one of the brightest, as they say now, hit-makers. Now he writes almost nothing, but back then he had hits in abundance. Only with their performance on TV and radio there were, as I already said, big problems.

- Why else did you get hurt by Lapin?

I remember such a case. For the program's intro, we took a new song by Raymond Pauls to the verses of Ilya Reznik, performed by the Ariel group, it contained the following words: “Wider the heart, wider our circle.” They call from Lapin: “Olga Borisovna, come in!” Well, that day I turned out to be without makeup and dressed appropriately. The Chairman of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company was a conservative - no makeup, no trousers.

And this is what he asked me: “Do you know what happens when your heart is wider?” Heart attack! Remove the song! He was adamant - he had to look for another author. And then Yura Antonov wrote for us another song, “Wider Circle,” based on lyrics by Leonid Fadeev, and was the first to perform it himself.

- By the way, who came up with the name for the program under which it existed for a quarter of a century?

That's what I came up with. The main idea is multi-genre! Folklore, pop, circus, original genres, dance numbers. And at first the name “We Sing and Dance” came up. But Lapin said: “I see... So, let’s sing and dance. Who will work?” I say: “Let’s “Wider the Circle”?” Lapin accepted this. It also reflected the multinational composition of the participants. Who and where did not come to us! And for some time the program lived with this name. And suddenly one day Lapin said that he didn’t like the name. It sounds, they say, like a “reading hut.” Rustic, country style.

With Alexander Serov (1992). Photo: From the personal archive of Olga Molchanova

After some time, “Wider Circle” was renamed “Welcome” by a strong-willed decision. For six months the program ran under this unsightly name. And in those years letters played a big role. There were protests: return the old name. And then our editor-in-chief Kira Veniaminovna Annenkova went to Lapin and said bluntly: “If you fell asleep yesterday as Sergei Georgievich, and this morning you woke up as Ivan Petrovich, how would you feel?” He appreciated the wit. And the program - at the request of the workers - again began to be called “Wider Circle”.

- Olga Borisovna, are you watching TV now? And what do you think of what’s happening on the screen?

I rarely look and see a lot of vulgarity. Scandalous talk shows designed for undemanding tastes are annoying. I would not like to return to television, although I miss it. The level of many people who work there leaves much to be desired. It seems that these “creators” - I mean editors - have not only no musical education, but no education at all. I’m not talking about intelligence, but at least I had an outlook! I admit that I am hatching a plan to revive the people’s favorite “Wider Circle”. The program was popular for twenty years! And even when the program continued its life on TVC, it enjoyed success for another ten years. People still ask me about her when they find out that I am a television person.

When I turned fifty, on the occasion of my anniversary, Central Television gave me a bonus, awarded me all sorts of certificates - and released me from work. In connection with the reorganization of the Central Television, our editorial office of folk art was simply liquidated.

Everything is changing: perhaps our historical program will begin a new, extraordinary life. There's no harm in dreaming!

Olga Molchanova

Education: Graduated from the Ural Conservatory. Mussorgsky

Family: son - Oleg, lawyer; grandchildren - Konstantin (25 years old), Antonina (19 years old); great-grandson - Artem (4 years old)

Career: author of the idea and music editor of the “Wider Circle” program, popular in the 1980s and 90s. In total, the program lasted from 1976 to 1996, from 2001 it continued on the TVC channel until 2006. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. Ovation Award Winner

Olga Borisovna Molchanova, the “creative mother” as many famous artists now call her, has been the author and editor-in-chief of the program throughout its history. In the editorial office of Folk Art of Central Television in 1976, the idea was born to combine in one program not only different creative genres, but also performers of different levels - both professionals and unknown amateurs from different parts of the world. Castings were not held then; numerous talents were sought in another way, already forgotten to us.

Olga Molchanova: “ Our main source of information was letters. At that time the post office was very active, they brought us whole bags of them. And we had to read everything, put our signature on each one, indicating that the letter had been read.».

Of course, there were also those who got into the program on the recommendations of Olga Borisovna’s friends. For example, Honored Artist of Russia Natasha Koroleva.

Another not so young, but aspiring artist, Alexander Serov, who at that time was over 30, also got to the recording of a popular program on a recommendation.

But People's Artist of Russia Philip Kirkorov had to try hard to get to the shooting.

Olga Molchanova: “ My friend worked at the Gnessin School. She worked as an accompanist. She calls me and says “listen, Landa has a boy there - he sings mediocre, but is handsome like Zakharov, even somewhat similar to him.” Well, I didn’t go there anymore, since I said that my singing was average, I thought: “What should I go?” He called me, called me, I didn’t have time, and then he got through to me, and I said: “Come».

Young Philip seemed to Molchanova to be a very musical boy, but she did not see any special singing talent in him. Although I was invited to the program. It is with greater delight that Olga Borisovna now speaks of the achievements of her now friend.

Olga Molchanova: “ I am amazed at how he was able to develop his voice and his capabilities from what little he had. This is the result of amazing work».

In the Wider Circle program, great prospects opened up not only for the vocalists. The famous comedian Gennady Vetrov also considers this his first television experience to be the beginning of his great pop life. While still a student, an acquaintance of Olga Molchanova noticed him at one of the competitions. Of course, Gennady himself did not expect such a development of events.

Gennady Vetrov: “ This is Olga Borisovna Molchanova, hello, I am the editor and director of the Wider Circle program! I want to invite you to the program!” Well, to be honest, I was shocked at the beginning, I thought it was a joke. I say: “What should I do?” - “Take your best room, come and we’ll rent it right away.”».

If so many popular artists began their creative journey precisely at the suggestion of Olga Molchanova, this at least indicates that this woman was a real psychologist and had a keen sense of talent. There was only one episode in her life when her instinct deceived her! This happened during a meeting with Leonid Agutin.

Olga Molchanova: “ I didn't like him that much. But then they showed me a couple of soundtracks and I approved. But at the same time, I didn’t see any outstanding talent there. This is my only mistake in my entire life. We argued with Igor Krutoy, he told me: “I bet you that Agutin will be a star,” and I said: “Never!».

But the most wonderful story, perhaps, is the birth of new stars right during the filming of the program! We are talking about Vyacheslav Dobrynin, who was a composer and wrote a huge number of songs that were performed in the program. But one day he had to go on stage himself.

Vyacheslav Dobrynin: “ I had to go to the microphone and sing to the soundtrack that was prepared for Mikhail Boyarsky. Everyone waited until the last minute, he could not fly from Odessa, there was a delay there. And so I had to go out and save the day».

“Wider Circle” was a real breakthrough of that time! Firstly, anyone could appear on Central Television for the first time, no matter where he was from or what his profession was. The main thing is talent. In addition, the creators of the program became pioneers in directorial decisions.