Podcast Summary: La Zanzara – 27 gennaio 2026

Podcast: La Zanzara
Host: Radio 24
Episode: La Zanzara del 27 gennaio 2026
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview

This episode of "La Zanzara," hosted by Giuseppe Cruciani and David Parenzo, upholds its reputation as a "zona franca" for unfiltered, uncensored, and provocative debate. The show, known for its irreverent tone and lively format, dives deep into heated current affairs, the reliability of institutions, justice, law enforcement, immigration, and even the morality and legality of prostitution in Italy.

The conversation is at once combative and entertaining, marked by sharp banter among the hosts and a rotating cast of guests and callers. The episode stands out for its focus on the controversial shooting by police in Milan, Italian-Swiss diplomatic tensions, the ICE affair in the US, accusations of political hypocrisy, and a fiery debate on sex work.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Police Shooting in Rogoredo, Milan: Justice and Public Reaction

Main Segment: [02:30 – 11:15, [25:06 – 30:49, [34:00 – 45:00]

• Incident: A plainclothes policeman shot and killed a North African man, alleged to be a local drug boss, who brandished a (replica) gun.
• Porro’s Outrage: Nicola Porro voices indignation that the police officer is being investigated for voluntary manslaughter:

  “Il poliziotto è indagato per omicidio volontario! Vaffanculo! ... Bisogna dare una medaglia a quel poliziotto subito. Un encomio.” (Nicola Porro, [03:54, [09:53])

• Cruciani’s Nuance: Giuseppe Cruciani emphasizes the need for due process, distinguishing between opening an investigation and taking sides:

  “Lo difendi una volta che hai ricostruito la dinamica dei fatti.” (Cruciani, [10:38])

• Public Response: Several callers express outrage at the legal processes officers face, venting frustration at perceived injustice.
• Debate with Elaria Cucchi: Cucchi raises the point that law enforcement should aim to neutralize, not kill, and criticizes knee-jerk defense of police actions:

  “In Italia, le forze dell’ordine dovrebbero saper sparare per disarmare.” (Elaria Cucchi, [79:32])

2. Diplomatic Incident: Italy and Switzerland

Main Segment: [04:32 – 06:25]

• Context: Italian government withdrew its ambassador after a Swiss judge released a suspect (Moretti) in a tragic bar fire.
• Porro's Criticism: Porro lambasts the government for interfering in Swiss internal affairs, labeling the gesture as populist and inconsistent with its self-proclaimed “garantista” (due-process) stance.

  “Il governo fa il garantista in Italia e il giustizialista in Svizzera. Ma dai, su.” (Nicola Porro, [06:25])

3. Immigration, ICE, America, and the Ethics of Borders

Main Segment: [13:01 – 56:01]

• ICE Paranoia and “Bovino” Metaphor: The show riffs on American immigration enforcement, deriding fears over ICE as both exaggerated and reminiscent of fascism.
• Joy Mannarino’s Defense: Mannarino repeatedly calls ICE agents “patriots,” argues for stricter border policies, and claims that resistance to ICE is misguided:

  “Io considero loro patrioti. Loro stanno facendo una cosa che non potevo fare io... cacciando via le gente che stuprano, che fanno cose orribili.” (Joy Mannarino, [47:17])

• Selena Peroli’s Universalism: Counters with a vision of a world without passports or borders:

  “Io vorrei un mondo senza passaporti... dove voglio andare, vado.” (Selena Peroli, [54:00])

• Arguments Over American “Nazism”: Multiple exchanges compare American immigration enforcement tactics to Nazism or fascism, with battle lines drawn between those who see strict enforcement as protection and those who view it as inhumane brutality.
• Notable Moment:

  “I metodi dell’ICE sono quelli di Hitler.” (Nicola Porro, [54:52])
  “I metodi di Trump sono uguali a quelli di Hitler.” (Selena Peroli, [54:56])

4. Debate on Free Speech, Gaza, and “Contraddittorio”

Main Segment: [13:41 – 16:03]

• Context: Parenzo is denied a solo book presentation on Israel in Siena because organizers demand a speaker who will call Gaza a genocide.
• Porro’s Sarcasm: Criticizes the left for stifling debate in the name of democracy:

  “Ma che cazzo di idea hanno della democrazia questi qua? Uno invita chi cazzo vuole a parlare.” (Nicola Porro, [14:05])

5. Justice, Law, and the Double Standard Accusation

Throughout the episode

• The hosts and guests repeatedly argue whether guarantees and rights are selectively applied by governments and opinion makers, especially toward police, criminals, and immigrants.

6. Sex Work in Italy: Legality, Dignity, and Empowerment

Main Segment: [84:35 – 99:58]

• Taylor B.: The celebrated “escort” reappears, describing her profession as empowering, lucrative, and as worthy as any other.
• Cucchi’s Critique: Elaria Cucchi takes a feminist stance against prostitution, arguing it is degrading, not a real profession, and incompatible with female empowerment:

  “Io non la vendo, non faccio passare in carta di credito.” (Elaria Cucchi, [85:54])

• Taylor B.:

  “Io sono tutto. Sono l'essenza, l’indipendenza, sono una troia e me ne vanto.” (Taylor B., [93:11])

• Debate: The exchange grows heated over taxation, legality, the notion of women “selling themselves,” and what is or isn’t a “real job.”

7. Music, Satire, and Final Banter

Main Segment: [70:06 – 77:50]

• A satirical anti-PD (Democratic Party) song (“Il Pidi è morto”) airs, skewering left-wing activism and immigration policies, prompting laughter, mockery, and critical reflection.
• The show closes (as always) in irreverent, chaotic fashion, with overlapping voices and tongue-in-cheek slogans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Porro’s populism on police shootings:

  “Il poliziotto va non indagato per omicidio volontario. Bisogna dare una medaglia a quel poliziotto subito.” ([09:53])

• Cruciani, about investigation and justice:

  “Lo difendi una volta che hai ricostruito la dinamica dei fatti.” ([10:38])

• Selena Peroli’s vision:

  “Io vorrei un mondo senza passaporti... dove voglio andare, vado.” ([54:00])

• Debate on ICE/USA practices:

  “I metodi dell’ICE sono quelli di Hitler.” (Porro, [54:52])
  “Trump è simile a Hitler.” (Selena Peroli, [54:59])

• Taylor B. on empowerment:

  “Io sono una troia e me ne vanto. Meglio troia.” ([93:11])

• Cucchi on legitimacy of shooting:

  “Non si spara per ammazzare. Si spara per disarmare... per neutralizzare.” ([80:43])

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | Highlight | |------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | Preliminaries/Banter | 00:00 – 02:30 | Show tone set: warning to listeners, playful insults | | Milan police shooting | 02:30 – 11:15 | Outrage, debate over due process | | Italy–Switzerland diplomatic crisis | 04:32 – 06:25 | Porro critiques government populism | | ICE, borders, American methods | 13:01 – 56:01 | Heated debate on immigration, freedom, and state violence | | Siena censorship/flottiglia | 13:41 – 16:03 | Satire of PC culture, left-wing contradictions | | Sex work debate | 84:35 – 99:58 | Taylor B. segment: empowerment vs. degradation | | Satirical anti-PD song & closing banter | 70:06 – 77:50 | Release of “Il Pidi è morto,” classic Zanzara chaos |

Tone and Style

• Irreverent: Insults fly, hosts and callers spar, and solemnity is regularly undercut by humor and mockery.
• Provocative: Taboos are challenged; positions are pushed for maximum debate.
• Inclusive of dissent: Even the most extreme opinions are aired, sometimes for the spectacle.

Conclusion

This episode of La Zanzara is a classic example of the show's unique blend of raucous entertainment and sharp social commentary. The hosts dive headlong into Italy’s most divisive topics—policing, immigration, sex work—bringing humor, outrage, and contradiction in equal measure. The edge never dulls; listeners are left challenged, amused, and occasionally appalled—exactly as Zanzara intends.