Mara Venier, "traitor" ringtone on Domenica In: the gaffe that makes you smile and tells a more human side of television

Suddenly, a familiar ringtone echoes in the studio. The face of Mara Venier changes expression: her gaze darts to the phone, her hand brushes the table, and she looks like she’s thinking, “oops, I didn’t put it on silent.” Then, the twist: that ring isn’t hers. It’s from the trailer just launched on Domenica In. This is how the “lady of Sunday” finds herself in a small, irresistible live gaffe while chatting with Virginia Raffaele about the film “Un bel giorno” by Fabio De Luigi. She smiles, the guest bursts out laughing, the studio follows suit, and television reminds the audience that the unexpected – when it’s genuine – is its mother tongue.

A minor incident, a perfect television moment

The story is simple, and that’s what makes it delightful: during the episode of Domenica In on Sunday, March 15, while images of the trailer for “Un bel giorno” are playing, the typical ringtone of an iPhone can be clearly heard. The host, who uses that same model, instinctively thinks her phone is ringing. She checks, a moment of obligatory embarrassment, until Virginia Raffaele points out that the sound is coming from the video. “Oh, but it’s in the movie? I thought it was mine,” comments Mara Venier, turning the misunderstanding into a gag. The news, picked up by agencies and reported by websites, quickly goes viral.

The right guest at the right time

The episode occurs during the interview with Virginia Raffaele, in the studio to promote “Un bel giorno,” a new romantic comedy directed and starring Fabio De Luigi, in theaters from Thursday, March 5, 2026, distributed by 01 Distribution. The film was also presented in grand style in the lead-up to the 2026 Sanremo Festival, where the De Luigi–Raffaele duo shared the project with the public and the press. Production: Lotus Production (part of the Leone Film Group) in collaboration with Rai Cinema. These are pieces that confirm a well-oiled industrial chain around the title and explain the choice to leverage the most-watched Sunday talk show on mainstream television to further boost promotion.

“Un bel giorno”: what it’s about, why it’s being discussed

The heart of the story is entrusted to Tommaso (Fabio De Luigi), a widower with four daughters, who falls in love with Lara (Virginia Raffaele). Both have "omissions" to manage: he does not immediately mention having daughters; she, for reasons that the film outlines with restraint, does not reveal everything about herself. From this arise misunderstandings, small deceptions, and a game of emotional mirrors that nods to certain refined contemporary French comedies. Since its initial releases in theaters, the film has been described as a title with a light step, but not superficial, with attention to family relationships and the portrayal of contemporary parenthood. The press releases and TV contributions during the debut week recorded interest exceeding expectations, with positive reports on the box office debut.