Podcast Summary: La Zanzara – 13 gennaio 2026 (Radio 24)

Episode Overview

This episode of La Zanzara, hosted by Giuseppe Cruciani and David Parenzo, continues its tradition of unfiltered, confrontational radio, freely tackling current affairs, political debate, social taboos, and controversial listener opinions. Featuring a mix of regular collaborators (Savino Balzano, Giuseppe Balzano, and guests) and phone-ins, the episode traverses issues like security in Italian cities, law enforcement, criminal justice, freedom of expression, social norms, and explicit discussions around sexuality and personal behavior, all delivered with the irreverence and sarcasm that characterize the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Language, Identity and "Politically Correct" (00:13–00:41)

• Early banter revolves around terms used for homosexuality, contrasting past prejudices ("essere finocchi era una malattia") with contemporary language ("Si dice omosessuale"). Religious perspectives resurface, with Parenzo hesitating over gay marriage, referencing biblical commands.
• Memorable moment: “Andate e moltiplicateli, non andate e prendetelo nel culo.” – Giuseppe Balzano (00:30)

2. Decay of Society, Security, and Crime

“Militarizzare le stazioni” (03:03–06:22; 59:16–61:32)

• Savino Balzano rails against what he sees as the moral and civil decay of Italian (and more widely, European) society, lamenting rising crime and “virtual lives” supplanting real connections.
• Calls for armed military presence in stations like Rome Termini and Milan Centrale, asserting a need to militarize these to protect citizens and deter petty crime.
• Blames both political sides: “La destra non fa un cazzo… la sinistra si occupa di pronomi, inclusione…”
  • Claims the left focuses on "inclusive" language and social issues, ignoring “real world” dangers.
• Argues that the media downplays violence: “Gli intellettuali che appartengono al mondo della sinistra… dicono che Milano non è più violenta…” (05:04)
• Recurring comparison to Japan/Dubai for public order: “Perché non posso aspirare a vivere come in Giappone?” (10:03)
• Urges more tangible government action rather than cultural/political debate.

Quote:
“Bisogna militarizzare le stazioni, no ma militarizzare di brutto, dare l'impressione che siamo in uno stato di assedio.” – Savino Balzano (03:52)

3. The Carabiniere Case & Justice for Law Enforcement (05:04–06:22; 54:31–66:17)

• Extended outrage over a carabiniere sentenced to three years for shooting a criminal:
  • Savino/Cruciani lambast the judicial system for “condannare un carabiniere per aver fatto il suo dovere”.
  • Argue that Italian law is stacked against law enforcement; call for new laws to protect officers.
• Heated exchanges on personal responsibility, proportional response, and misuse of force.
• Listeners call in to support the carabiniere or criticize the system as either too soft or too punitive.

Quote:
“Qui bisogna ribaltare questa narrazione, bisogna fare leggi nuove che proteggano le forze dell'ordine da queste follie.” – Savino Balzano (05:06)

4. The “Casa del Bosco” Family Case (07:53–09:48; 47:07–57:44)

• Ongoing case of a family living an "alternative" lifestyle in the woods (“Casa del Bosco”) stirs debate:
  • Should they be free to raise kids as they desire, or is state intervention justified?
  • Cruciani & Balzano clash with Parenzo and listeners about children’s rights, parental freedom, and the line between state oversight and family autonomy.
  • Accusations of political exploitation by both left and right.
• Satirical exchange about sending journalists to live in same conditions for authenticity.

Quote:
“Ci sono i diritti dei minori.” – Giuseppe Cruciani (09:48)

5. Perceptions & Realities of Urban Security and Media Narratives (17:17–23:05)

• Are Italian cities really more dangerous or is it media hysteria?
  • References to Daria Bignardi and others who argue rising crime is media exaggeration.
  • Callers and hosts debate whether media shapes or simply reflects anxieties.

6. Law, Policing, and Prison System

The “Santa Maria Capua Vetere” Episode (32:00–44:55)

• Discussion on police violence in prisons and the case of Santa Maria Capua Vetere.
• Debate on body cams, transparency, and the realities of policing inmates vs. judicial oversight.
• Anarchic callers push for abolition of prisons and police, triggering indignant replies about need for order.

Quote:
“Se non ci fosse la polizia peritenziaria, le carceri sarebbero un caos, sarebbero l’anarchia.” – Savino Balzano (43:15)

7. State, Sovereignty, Foreign Relations (16:07–18:20)

• Is Italy “servile” to the US or just realistic about its position as an ally?
• Mattei (referenced): Italians are not faithful allies, but “camerieri” (waiters) of Trump.
• Balzano: “Io sono felice di essere un cameriere di Trump. … Che cazzo fa l'Italia da sola? Siamo autonomi? Autonomi di staminchia!”

8. Healthcare and Privilege (23:40–31:17)

• Cruciani and Parenzo exchange shots about who pays for private doctors, waiting times in public healthcare, and authenticity of their “common man” credentials.
• Parenzo is accused of hypocrisy—championing the public health system but going private when in need.
• Opens into broader questioning of what it means to be “of the left” in contemporary Italy.

9. Freedom of Expression, Censorship, and Online Satire (36:17–39:20)

• Satirical song "Everybody viva il duce" discussed: censorship, platform policies, double standards.
• Cruciani: “Se fosse detta così... Everybody vive il Führer...”
• Commentary on how some satire is tolerated, others aren’t, and what this reveals about societal boundaries.

10. Sexuality, OnlyFans, and "The Art of Being Figa" (88:39–101:45)

Luna* (“creepy”) and digital sex work

• Extended, explicit segment with “Luna (creepy)”, OnlyFans content creator.
  • Defends her lifestyle: “Il mio lavoro è essere figa … me la godo insomma” (88:41)
  • Describes her content, bisexuality: “Una vera bisex, io ne vado fiera.” (89:41)
  • Clashes with traditionalist guest and Collovati over dignity, work, and market value of beauty.
  • Reduces social issue distance: “Assolutamente al mio semi permanente dei piedi” (92:59, when asked about concern for Iranian women’s rights).
• Debate about dignity: “La dignità non mi fa mangiare, non mi fa fare le unghie, non mi fa fare i capelli.” – Luna (creepy) (92:36)
• Discussion veers into her sexual preferences (including urinary practices) and includes medical input from Matteo Bassetti about risks (“…pone i problemi di qualcun altro…” – 99:25).
• Concludes with Luna’s irreverent attitude toward criticism and self-acceptance.

11. Religion, Circumcision, and Sexual Control (73:00–84:47)

• Rabbi Shlomo Bekor discusses Jewish circumcision (brit milah), referencing Maimonides and balancing religious command, hygiene, and “equilibrio sessuale.”
• Quote: “Una delle ragioni per la quale è importante circoncidersi… è il controllo, un po’ più equilibrio.” (80:03)
• Lively crossfire on whether circumcision is medical or religious, and its consequences for libido, behavior, and identity.

12. Personal Anecdotes, Listeners’ Rants, and Show Culture

• Regular "battibecchi" on personal responsibility: Cruciani’s ski accident becomes fodder for ironic class commentary and jokes about work ethic.
• Listeners’ phone-ins mix the comic and the grotesque, Freud and the pub.
• The show closes, as always, with assertions that irreverence and self-mockery are the house style.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Andate e moltiplicateli, non andate e prendetelo nel culo.”
  – Giuseppe Balzano (00:30)
• “Bisogna militarizzare le stazioni… dare l’impressione che siamo in uno stato di assedio.”
  – Savino Balzano (03:52)
• “Ci sono i diritti dei minori.”
  – Giuseppe Cruciani (09:48)
• “Io sono felice di essere un cameriere di Trump. … Siamo autonomi? Che cazzo fa l’Italia da sola? Autonomi di staminchia!”
  – Savino Balzano (17:01–18:20)
• “La dignità non mi fa mangiare, non mi fa fare le unghie, non mi fa fare i capelli.”
  – Luna (creepy) (92:36)
• “Una delle ragioni per la quale è importante circoncidersi… è il controllo, un po’ più equilibrio.”
  – Rabbino Shlomo Bekor (80:03)
• “Assolutamente al mio semi permanente dei piedi.”
  – Luna (creepy) (92:59)
• “Se non ci fosse la polizia peritenziaria, le carceri sarebbero un caos, sarebbero l'anarchia.”
  – Savino Balzano (43:15)
• “Allora, la circoncisione porta, secondo lei, al maggiore controllo della vita sessuale.”
  – Savino Balzano (80:16)
• “Non vengo meno ai miei doveri.”
  – Giuseppe Cruciani (26:56)
• “Siamo tutti uguali.”
  – Giuseppe Balzano (28:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Homosexuality and language: 00:13–00:41
• Societal decay & militarizing stations: 03:03–06:22, 59:16–61:32
• Carabiniere legal case debate: 05:04–06:22; 54:31–66:17
• Casa del Bosco family: 07:53–09:48; 47:07–57:44
• Media narratives on crime: 17:17–23:05
• Policing & prison violence: 32:00–44:55
• Foreign policy/ ‘Camerieri di Trump’: 16:07–18:20
• Healthcare and privilege: 23:40–31:17
• Freedom of expression/censorship ('Viva il duce'): 36:17–39:20
• Luna (creepy), OnlyFans & sexual practices: 88:39–101:45
• Rabbi, circumcision & sexual control: 73:00–84:47

Tone and Style

• Irreverent, combative, sarcastic, explicit.
  The episode showcases the hosts' signature style: confronting their own and their audience’s biases, mocking their own (and others') hypocrisies, and refusing to shy away from controversy or vulgarity.
• Self-aware provocations.
  Jokes and rants are laced with awareness of “show business”—the goal is not just political analysis but also stimulating laughter, outrage, and engagement.

Conclusion

This episode delivers the free-for-all, debate-club-anarchism and darkly comic energy fans have come to expect. The radio “arena” refuses polite conversation—even when discussing topics like sexuality, parenting, policing, and religion, every assertion is challenged and no one is spared irony or skepticism. "La Zanzara" remains a unique "zona franca," where the only real rule is to speak without filters—and, as Cruciani and Parenzo remind listeners, to laugh, argue, and enjoy the madness of contemporary Italy.

For the full flavor, tune in—but beware: as always, this show is not for the faint of heart or the politically correct.