Louis Theroux

[Troy]

Louis Theroux is an English journalist best known for his documentaries that he produces for BBC. His main series of work are Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, When Louis Met and then his current work which are just BBC Specials. His documentaries are known for taking a look at extreme and often taboo subcultures and groups like WestBoro Baptist Church, Neo-Nazis, Brothels, Gambling, Porn, Law & Order etc. He always goes in with an open mind and doesn't try to preach at the people no matter how twisted their views are. He goes in there to try to figure out why people do what they do and think what they think. It makes for really good television because he doesn't talk down on these people he genuinely wants to learn about what it is they do to try to learn more about it. It has only been in the past year where I really started watching them and I really enjoy them because of his style when investigating these topics.

Today and yesterday I watched the two parts on The Most Hated Family in America which is all about the Westboro Baptist Church. They are the ones that picket funerals of soldiers that died in combat and are extreme homophobics (there well known sign is "God hates fags"). They take the bible literally and do not stray from it at all, they are basically a cult that has extreme views that the world will end soon and that only those that follow the bible to the letter will go to heaven. Watching it I was amazed that Louis was able to keep calm whilst they were spouting their hate because they have some incredibly offensive views. He does well to maintain his composure and continue to interview them. I feel sorry for the kids their because they are brainwashed from such a young age, they just don't have a chance.

Some of my other favourites are firstly the Gambling one. He follows a good diverse group of people and it is a pretty wild ride. The mattress shop owner that is a high roller who wins 50k on basically his first spin of the weekend yet keeps gambling and loses that and much more more is crazy to watch. As Louis said he could have stopped after five minutes and had a great weekend but the guy just couldn't because he wanted to gamble the entire weekend. In the end I guess it was still within his means but it is a crazy thing to do. I love the two guys that he gambles with how the guy that thinks he is a pro yet loses a heap and his friend that doesn't gamble as much does well with Louis. The old lady that gambles every single day on the pokies should be sad but she seems so happy doing that. The bit that was just so weird it made me laugh was when she said that when her husband died the casino paid for the funeral and the funeral was held at the casino.

Miami Mega Jail is really good as well. It isn't a prison so everyone there is being held for pre-trial so they are all innocent until proven guilty. The whole prison code really interested me because I just had no idea how it all worked and the lengths they go are incredible. The ease with which they can blackmail or beat someone up is a bit scary and a bit sad that it comes to that.

Weird Weekends Gangsta Rap is hilarious because of how naive he is to the whole scene and his raps are so funny because of how clean they are. One of the best bits is when he is trying to come up with an image that relfects his persona and he talks about liking cats, tickling cats and drinking red wine.

Some other interesting ones are Louis, Martin & Michael which focusses on his failure to get an interview with Michael Jackson, Weird Weekends Porn where he looks at the porn industry and even tries to get a part in a porn film and there is even one on Wrestling with footage from the old WCW Power Plant.

Does anyone else watch any of his shows? If so what are your favourites and which would you recommend?

 

[Dod Draper]

All of his documentaries are fantastic.

I watched 'Under The Knife' again the other day, that's another really good documentary from him. An insightful view into the materialistic nature of Los Angeles.

I'm not sure if you're aware, but he recently did a second documentary on the porn industry. I think it's his most recent one. He basically looks at the decline of the industry, goes back to see some of the people from the first porn episode and how they're coping with the business.

 

[The Cork]

He also did one with Jimmy Saville which unearthed what a giant creep the guy was, but it didn't get any publicity for whatever reason and the truth didn't come out till like 5 years down the line.

His docs are great but few and far between, BBC needs to give him a monthly slot.

 

[Troy]

I haven't seen the follow up to the porn one yet. I love how in the original he is walking around with a photo of himself naked and showing it to all the porn stars asking if they would work with him. His preceived naivety works so well because he gets a lot more out of his subjects.

It is so strange how now with the Jimmy Saville scandal people are looking back on that interview and pointing out the signs that were there. Just on Jimmy Saville that guy was a creep, the story in his biography that in return for appearing at a charity event he was given six young teenage girls to act as his "security" outside his tent is pretty sickening.

Watched one the other night on dementia. Was quite saddening to see how quickly some people can deterioate and the decisions that people around them have to make. Was really touching when Louis spent the day with that older lady and how they went for a walk, look at photos together and had tea together. He is always just so polite to everyone involved.

 

[NotReallyaGoodUN]

I haven't seen the follow up to the porn one yet.

Watch it...it turned me off the idea of pornography altogether.