What is it about Louis Theroux?
The much-loved, reliably polite journalist and documentarian has been hailed as both a poster boy for geeks and an unlikely sex symbol.
Is it his awkward charm? His self-deprecating British humour? Or the fact that he once rapped the lyrics "ridin' in my Fiat / You really have to see it" with total sincerity?
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Whatever the answer, we're into it - and so is the Internet.
Over the course of his career, the broadcasting legend has come face-to-face with neo-Nazis, murderers and sex traffickers, always maintaining his nerdy brand of cool.
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If there's anyone capable of making us feel calm in a crisis, it's Louis.
That's why, in lockdown, we've been reassured by a certain tweet from the fan-favourite presenter.
Louis wrote: "There are fifty-odd hours of my old shows on BBC iPlayer, on the off chance you are self-isolating and bored."
50 hours! That's one big, soothing Louis binge.
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We've selflessly trawled through the content to bring you our need-to-know Louis moments, from comic gems to hard-hitting encounters, along with books, podcasts and merch to help you theroux this challenging time.
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You're welcome.
Iconic Louis moments you *need* in your life
Louis learns to rap
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In episode 6 of Weird Weekends Series 3, Louis heads to New Orleans to delve into the gangsta rap scene of the 'Dirty South'. While there, he meets rapper Mellow T and interviews Master P. But the telly gold really happens when Louis performs in a live radio rap battle.
His OG lyrics include: "I wanna see you wiggle wiggle, for sure, / It makes me wanna dribble dribble, you know". Man's got bars. Watch now on iPlayer.
Louis meets a dog whisperer
Louis. Dogs. Need we say more? If you really require more info, City of Dogs is the first in Louis' docu-trilogy LA Stories and looks at the (furry) underbelly of LA's canine population, from attack dogs to city strays. Here, dog aggression and behaviour expert Brandon Fouche turns a riled up German Shepherd into a meek pupper in a flash. Watch now on iPlayer.
Louis goes to wrestling school
He may be a slender chap, but Louis is unafraid to get a sweat on as he hangs out with the WCW wrestlers of Monday Night Nitro and considers joining the Independent Wrestling Federation in series two of Weird Weekends. Watching him face up to pro-wrestler "Pistol" Pez Whatley is a sight to behold. Watch now on iPlayer.
The hard-hitters
Louis meets the teens on Westboro's picket line
In 2007 special The Most Hated Family In America, Louis meets the family behind the hate-preaching Westboro Baptist Church, a controversial Christian ministry that for years has picketed military funerals with homophobic protest signs.
Some of the most poignant moments from Louis' attempts to engage the Westboro's teenage daughters in conversation about their rebellions and choices - and how their lives might have looked had they grown up in different circumstances. Watch now on iPlayer.
Louis talks with relapsed alcoholics
Scenes between Louis and alcoholic Joe in 2016's Drinking To Oblivion weighed heavily on the nation's hearts. Joe - then 32 - was desperate to kick his habit, which saw him drinking a bottle of vodka or two a day, but had relapsed multiple times.
The moment when Louis tries calmly to persuade Joe not to abandon his treatment at King's College Hospital prematurely is a tough but poignant watch. Watch now on Amazon.
Louis meets mums with post-partum depression
In Mothers On The Edge (2019) Louis spends time in a psychiatric ward specialising in the treatment of mothers experiencing serious mental illness. The first we meet is Catherine, who has been admitted to the ward after taking an overdose.
A previous traumatic pregnancy has left her feeling detached from her new baby, who she's learning to love under the guidance of doctors. Sensitive and compassionate, this portrayal of post-partum depression is essential viewing. Watch now in iPlayer.
Gems you might have missed
Louis shares the docs that made him
Ever wanted to climb inside Louis' brain? Louis Theroux: Docs That Made Me might be the closest you'll come, as Louis unravels his broadcasting DNA, sharing the documentaries that shaped him.
Handily, the BBC have made each doc [Between Life & Death (2010), Inside Story: Mini, Fourteen Days In May (1987) and Rain In My Heart (2006)] available to watch separately too. Watch now on iPlayer.
Louis meets Joe Exotic
The world and its dog have binge-watched Netflix's Tiger King. Naturally, Louis got there first and met the series' frontman, Joe Exotic, back in 2011 while filming America's Most Dangerous Pets.
Catch the documentarian interview the peroxide-haired big cat-owner in episode 14 of Weird Weekends. Watch now on iPlayer.
Louis meets struggling porn stars
In 1997, Louis Theroux made a documentary about the world of male porn performers in Los Angeles. Fifteen years later, he returns to find a business struggling with the deluge of free porn on the internet. By turns bizarre, comical and sad, this doc is non-judgemental Louis at his finest. Watch now on iPlayer.
Louis makes GBBO history
Catch Louis in an apron making Bake Off history, becoming the first star ever to land a treble handshake in the Celebrity Stand Up To Cancer special.
You may even want to attempt recreating his signature bake, a giant cookie designed to look like a stone-baked pizza complete with raspberry icing and grated white chocolate. Watch now on 4od.
Louis on the mic
Louis launches his own podcast
Louis has used quarantine to make his debut in the world of podcasting, launching Grounded With Louis Theroux. The opening episode is a conversation with fellow investigative journalist Jon Ronson, covering everything from anxiety to conspiracy theorists. Listen now on Spotify.
Louis chats with school friend Adam Buxton
We don't have the word count to tell you just how excellent The Adam Buxton Podcast is but we can tip you off that Louis appears in episodes 10, 29, 49 and 81. Adam and Louis are old school pals so conversation often drifts down memory lane. Listen now on Spotify.
Louis talks hip hop with Romesh Ranganathan
A whole 66 sweet minutes of Louis talking about his passion for rap with Crawley's finest, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, in Hip Hop Saved My Life. What's not to love? Listen now on Spotify.
Louis shares his Desert Island Discs
The documentarian shares his essential tracks with Lauren Laverne, including a stand-out anecdote about falling in love with his wife to Fat Joe & Ashanti's What's Love? Sob. Listen now on Spotify.
Louis on paper
Louis isn't just a screen heartthrob, he's a wordsmith too. Kick off your Theroux readathon with his first book, The Call of The Weird (2005). The presenter reflects on a decade of exploring the fringes of American society and the offbeat characters he met along the way.
Move on to 2019's Gotta Get Theroux This, which charts Louis journey from appearing as a fledgling journalist in Michael Moore's TV Nation in 1994 to the present day.
Louis reads your thirsty tweets
This video of Louis calmly reading his fans' X-rated tweets is the gift we all need in lockdown.
Louis merch
It wouldn't be the ultimate Louis binge if you didn't represent our beloved broadcaster with some A-grade merch.
So, light a Saint Louis Prayer Candle (£19, Etsy), cuddle up to a floral Louis Theroux Floral Cushion (£7.33, Amazon), and don your best Gotta Get Theroux This slogan tee (£8.99, Amazon).
Go forth and binge, people. Louis will get us theroux this.
Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: TV and Film, Joe Exotic, Documentaries, louis theroux, TV Entertainment
