Friday and Evgenich: A Conversation about a Second Season and a Lifetime in Showbiz
The second season of the TV channel Evgenich opened with the participation of the performer. When asked what attracted him to the project and why he agreed to join, he answered honestly that he had not watched the first season. A call from Seryozha, a longtime friend, changed his stance. He agreed to participate without financial motive, noting that not every artist would work gratis, yet the friendship spanning thirty years made the price a non-issue. Seryozha invited him to the second season with the promise of a fun, friendly team, and the performer joined the production. The result, he said, was a role and a song that turned out well, bringing humor and warmth to the series that audiences have enjoyed.
What role does he play in the show?
He appears in a hut rebuilt after being damaged by two individuals who fled the area. The scene features Seryozha and a companion, while the performer plays a fisherman and uses the opportunity to sing and teach children through the show’s music and storytelling.
The performer had previously declined offers to shoot for high pay, a stance he explained in multiple interviews. He explained that learning prose is particularly challenging for him; while he can study poetry, prose presents a different difficulty. He once carried a 15-centimeter folder containing a large script from a renowned director who invited him to act, hoping to recreate a Kikimora role. He spent a year studying the text before the director’s passing altered the project, underscoring how demanding such roles can be for him.
He recalled that Seryozha persuaded him by suggesting the Evgenich project would unfold in installments. He noted that while his current workload was substantial, retirement would eventually free him to pursue filming and even the Kikimor role or grandparents in future seasons.
About Evgenich and the nineties
Evgenich follows the adventures of a producer from the nineties. The performer reflected on that era with mixed feelings—fond memories balanced by the awareness of hard times, including moments of danger. Yet the drama will maintain a positive tone. He and his colleagues in Evgenich, including IOWA and Vanya Dmitrienko, did not imitate the past but acknowledged its influence. The younger generation is different, with less struggle but greater access to opportunities like the Internet. While there is admiration for the newer artists, he also values the hard-won experience of the previous generation. He respects that many in the new wave are talented, while acknowledging that some in the older era faced tougher conditions to survive in the industry.
The enduring appeal of music from the 90s and 2000s
The performer explained that songs from the 90s and early 2000s still energize dance floors because their lyrics were straightforward and memorable. In contrast, some newer songs lean on fashionable phrases or a blend of English phrases that can feel superficial. He emphasized that the simpler, more direct storytelling of earlier hits resonated deeply and remains a source of joy for many fans. He also expressed admiration for many young talents, highlighting that the contemporary scene has its own strengths and opportunities.
Continuing to perform, create, and appear on television
Looking back at a long career that includes writing songs, performing in concerts, and appearing on shows such as Fantastic, Mask, and Superstar, he spoke candidly about his approach to success. He avoids pretense, preferring honesty even when it reveals awkward truths. Fans appreciate his openness and his willingness to stay connected with audiences through intimate, authentic performances. He also discussed a public dispute about spending on clothes, clarifying that while he never questioned others’ wealth, the broader societal context matters when pensioners live on modest incomes. He respects and admires peers who work hard, including a well-known colleague he has continued to call a friend.
When asked to reflect on the year 2022, he described it as extraordinary, full of new songs and projects, including Evgenich and a new video. His health and the health of those around him were solid, and he shared a personal note about supporting a relative through joint replacement surgery. The moments of joy outweighed the difficulties, and he found reasons to smile and celebrate.
As for New Year plans in 2023, he weighed offers from several cities, choosing a path that would allow him to intersect with audiences while continuing his work. He recalled a personal rule about staying active on stage and avoiding the trap of a quiet, inactive year. He enjoys seeing a crowd react to a performance and believes that performance is a shared experience—he eats with the audience’s response and then continues singing. The festive season for him remains a time of connection with fans and a reminder of the thrill of live performance.
New Year memories and moments of laughter
There were funny moments during New Year celebrations in his past, including a 1996 Christmas run in St. Petersburg that involved a tight schedule and a few unexpected adventures. He remembered performing in multiple clubs, moving between venues, and a handful of police cars lighting the night as part of the circus-like holiday scene. A notable memory involved receiving a large sum of money and considering where to store it safely while balancing health and safety. He recalled a final concert where fatigue nearly took its toll, but the audience’s warmth and the shared experience of those moments persisted in memory. Even years later, fans would approach him to reminisce about the energy of those performances, and he appreciated how public moments can shape a performer’s life.