The Ants, Scamă and Blană will be joined by Cătălin Măruță as host this fall. Denise Rifai will develop a new project within the group
The Ants, the format that has managed to bring an entirely new energy to Romania’s media landscape by combining unexpected revelations, spontaneity, entertainment and challenges in a truly unique formula, returns with a new season and an important surprise for viewers this fall on Antena 1. Scamă and Blană will have a new colleague: Cătălin Măruță is joining the show’s team and, together with the two Ants and the mood-makers Ciucă and Oase, will put the guests through a series of the most unexpected questions and challenges.
A prominent voice in Romania’s media landscape, with a solid career spanning several decades in radio, television and podcasting, Cătălin Măruță is ready for a new challenge in his career. After developing some of the most-watched online formats with his team over the past few months, he is now ready to return to the helm of a television show, where he can combine his curiosity to get to know the guests with his ability to understand them and create the perfect environment for bringing viewers the most entertaining stories.
“I’m very happy to tell you that, this fall, a new television adventure begins for me: I will be the host of The Ants on Antena 1. When my 18-year journey with ‘La Măruță’ came to an end, I said that I felt the need for a break. To have time for myself and my family, to take my children to and from school, to travel and, quite simply, to experience life outside the rhythm of a daily live show for a while. And I really did need that time. At the same time, over the past few months, I received countless messages asking me when I would return to television. They meant a lot to me, and I thank you for them. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that, after all these years, people still want to see us together on screen.
The Ants came along at just the right time and in a format that suits me perfectly. It’s entertainment, which is exactly where I feel at home; it’s a team made up of people I know and appreciate; and the way the show is produced allows me to record the episodes while also maintaining the balance I wanted during this period: time for my family, my children and my other projects.
So yes, I’m returning to television. With excitement, enthusiasm and, perhaps most importantly, the joy of a new beginning. See you on Antena 1, on The Ants!” says Cătălin Măruță.
Denise Rifai, in turn, reveals: “For me, The Ants adventure comes to an end today. This has been a project that took me out of my comfort zone, challenged me and gave me the opportunity to discover a new professional side of myself. I embarked on this journey with excitement and curiosity, and the fact that, together with the team, we managed to turn Romanian viewers’ afternoons into truly special encounters is the most beautiful confirmation I could have received. Thank you, Antena 1, for trusting me with this unique project and for the joy of being part of this story. I wish Cătălin the very best of luck, and I am certain that, together with The Ants team, he will write a wonderful new chapter. As for me, I remain part of the Antena family, alongside whom I am embarking with enthusiasm on a new project, a new challenge and, hopefully, a new beautiful story that we will build together!”
Filming for season two of The Ants on Antena 1 is set to begin in just a few days, and soon viewers at home will be able to enjoy the new episodes.
