A decades-long, sometimes strained relationship between two prominent Hungarian television personalities has been publicly discussed, revealing a history marked by both collaboration and disagreement. Vitray Tamás, a 93-year-old broadcasting legend, recently detailed the origins of a complex dynamic with fellow television figure Friderikusz Sándor, offering insight into the challenges of navigating professional relationships in the Hungarian media landscape.
Vitray shared recollections of Friderikusz’s early career, noting that the aspiring journalist submitted two report ideas from Nyíregyháza to Vitray’s program, Blikk reported. Even as the concepts were promising, Vitray ultimately decided not to air the reports. He explained that the production team deemed the young reporter “unsuitable.”
“When I rejected the material, he left the television building in tears,” Vitray recalled, referencing an account later written by Friderikusz himself. Despite this early setback, the two continued to perform together, including a collaboration on the popular program Csak ülök és mesélek (Just Sitting and Talking). However, Vitray emphasized that their connection has remained “fluctuating” over the years.
“We’ve been good friends, then not so good, and our relationship isn’t entirely cloudless even now,” Vitray stated. He attributes the occasional friction to a shared sensitivity. “This doesn’t mean we’re clenching our fists at each other, it simply means something happens that one of us perceives as offensive,” he added.
Beyond his reflections on Friderikusz, Vitray also discussed his interest in tracking the lives of former subjects of his reporting. He cited the example of Zoltán Takács, a snake expert he interviewed as a student, who went on to earn a degree from Harvard and now leads a major research firm focused on snake venom. “I recently got in touch with him and hope he will be a guest on my program soon,” Vitray said.
Currently, Vitray produces content for his own YouTube channel, a move he acknowledges presents both creative freedom and financial challenges. He noted that while he can utilize archival footage from Hungarian Television, he is unable to generate revenue from it. The development highlights the evolving economic realities facing veteran broadcasters in the digital age.
Vitray also recounted a memorable experience from his show Ötszemközt (Face to Face), involving a request to interview writer István Örkény. Initially, Örkény declined, citing health concerns. However, Vitray offered a unique proposition: he would accept a list of pre-written questions from Örkény, and adhere to them during the interview. Vitray claims Örkény agreed, and the interview proceeded with Örkény’s prepared questions in hand.
Looking at the current state of Hungarian television, Vitray expressed a preference for a more localized, family-oriented approach, rather than relying on expensive foreign licenses. “In the beginning, that’s how it was: the announcers were ‘Esztikék’ and ‘Marikák,’ a family-like, direct atmosphere permeated the screen,” he reminisced. He also shared that he rarely watches current programming, often viewing sports without sound.
Vitray also touched on his personal life, noting he married his fourth wife, 36 years his junior, after turning eighty. He believes the age difference was insignificant in their relationship, stating, “I’ve never felt so in tune with anyone before.” He reflected on a childhood marked by historical trauma – including war and the regimes of Szálasi and Rákosi – which he believes led him to mature quickly. He credits his scouting experience with instilling values of fairness and respect, principles he applied throughout his career and personal life.
“In the family, I don’t have ‘paternal rights’ to dictate how everyone lives their lives. But I do have the opportunity to set an example,” he explained, adding that he never encouraged his sons to follow in his footsteps, and is proud they pursued their own paths. He has five grandchildren and one great-grandson, Noé, whose development he follows with great interest. “It’s very captivating to see how much a little person develops in the first few years of life,” he said.
