Of course, the problem now is that French TV will be wall-to-wall Henri Salvador scopitones for at least a week

Such is the case when a "national" treasure snuffs it. Over here the thing is that if you live long enough, you are at some point mathematically declared a living legend of French variété, there being fewer and fewer French speakers capable of warbling that shit. So no matter how insignificant the "talent", just outlasting the other buffoons is enough to thrust one to the top of the heap and be declared the caretaker of the patrimoine national. I can't bear to think of the shit storm they will kick up when Aznavour checks out.