Louis Theroux: A Confusing Genius

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I think one thing Louis also struggles with in the newer docs is that he's known. It's impossible to get the same disarming vibes with people he had in the 90s because back then he was an unknown quantity. Now, we have media savvy neo nazis deep researching every journalist that comes their way and it's a lot harder to penetrate the groups like he used to.

We need more of Louis' style of journalism... Not less. Letting people talk and discussing things, even those controversial topics. This is how people learn and grow. If we don't do this, then we end up in the situation we are now... Where everyone just stays in their own echo chamber and the minute they hear an opinion that differs from their own they just can't handle it. If we don't engage in these difficult conversations it just pushes these types of people underground. That's leads to extremist groups forming, as they feel they can't express themselves and don't have a voice. To truly have freedom of speech, we have to have it for everyone... Not matter how uncomfortable that is.

How dare we learn about people we don't agree with. How dare we hear any point of view we don't 100% agree with.

Honestly i do not blame him at all for becoming a bit more jaded over the years, the man has spent time with some of the cruest and most hateful people on the planet and gave them a lot patience and empathy. Anyone who has done as much as he did for as long as he has would be the same

I did not expect this to be such a good breakdown. You can't fight "us vs them" with "us vs them", these are deeply flawed people, but they are people, it's not "humanising" them, they are humans. When we see other people being horrible, we like to say, that's not us, we're better, but it is us, unfortunately, its what we're capable of. There has to be a line, 100%, but if you always just push people away, you push them further into the fringes. It's why WW2 germany is so fascinating/perplexing (in a morbid curiosity kind of way), did a whole country go mad over night?

On Saville: the idea that Theroux humanised Jimmy is ridiculous. Until after his death, Saville was a widely loved and hugely high profile figure in the UK. He appeared all over the BBC for years and years; kids like me grew up watching him on "Jim'll Fix It". Hell, I had multiple friends who wrote to him on that show. He didn't need to be made a sympathetic and humanised figure by Theroux.

It’s such a shame that we can’t even put clips into documentaries without them been heavily obfuscated to avoid copyright.

Just going to mention that i am absolutely here for jimmy expanding his content

I read his book about lockdown taking a toll on his mental health, so I think the change of persona could be linked to his alcoholism, or stress from being a father

In forbidden america it's very obvious the subjects know who louis is, they are aware of his work so they are somewhat defensive to his documentary technique. In his earlier work he comes across as some unknown curious british man who seems genuinely eager to learn so people are more willing to open up. Due to the success of his work and how well known he has become he can no longer play the role of the ignorant foreign journalist. He's also older now. In his early career the people he was talking to were the same age or older which changes the interviewing dynamic. People know who he is and people know what he does so he can't get away with doing it anymore.

Louis can see the hate he's spread more than the hate he's halted because of the negativity bias innate in all humans, it's easier to recognise a negative than a positive. He may have lead one Birt to the Westboro Baptist Church but who knows how great an effect he had in the other direction. If you need an example of the real good that can come from treating the hateful with empathy you need look no further than Daryl Davis. It's a shame to see him turn away from it.

louis really makes people comfortable enough to bring out their worst side, to me that's his best talent.

Louis has the exceptional knack of making any topic really interesting. He's up there with the best British documentarians in my humble opinion. He can hook you into whatever he is talking about/investigating and you find yourself glued to the screen, even if the subject matter isnt something you would usually find very engaging. He has a style all of his own.

I don't care what anybody says, Louis is a national treasure.

I watched his first TV nation at the age of 12, I'm now 38. He's by far the best documentary journalist out there with the biggest and broadest subjects. I honestly can't name anyone close that has delved into so many sub cultures. Long live the king

Louis is one of the best actual journalist out there right now. He is funny and insightful. He tackles subjects that others do not want to even touch. I appreciate his dedication and his courage in his stories.

I love Louis Theroux. He's one of the main reasons for my own view of the world today. Being born -90, I grew up with his documentaries and programs. He shaped me, in so many ways. Great video, as always Jimmy!

Great profile. I'm a big fan of Theroux's work and I think you totally nailed your description of him. You do good videos. Thanks for sharing them.

i think it's important to show both sides of every story. straight up disallowing to tell a group's background yet telling people the group is just evil can cloud people's judgement. people deserve to know why that is the case in the first place