Just his droning monotone voice sets my teeth on edge but Sweetheart will, no doubt, be watching Theroux do his usual faux naive performance in Forbidden America (I think?). I am convinced he is drawn to the dark side but would never have the guts to actually step into that world.
Louis Theroux - annoying wannabe edgelord or serious journo
- Thread starter campanula
- Start date
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
My vote would be annoying wannabe edgelord.
Exhibit A:
His documentary about Savile. Failed to expose a lifelong sexual abuser, despite Theroux admitting now that he had heard rumours of abuse.
His programmes are not serious investigative journalism. They're a branch of light entertainment.
Exhibit A:
His documentary about Savile. Failed to expose a lifelong sexual abuser, despite Theroux admitting now that he had heard rumours of abuse.
His programmes are not serious investigative journalism. They're a branch of light entertainment.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
And the same goes for the journalistic efforts of Ed Balls.
Ax^
Silly Rabbit
he not his normal self in the first of forbidden america
looks fucking pissed off for most of it
but get the sentament
Clair De Lune
Apocalypse cocktails
Aww I like him. I watched the episode on far right in America and he's changed as he's matured. He's no longer capable of the faux naivety and he actually says what he thinks now.
RainbowTown
Well-Known Member
Overall, I quite like his documentaries. I can understand why some think the 'faux naive' approach can be grating, lightweight and disingenuous. It can become tiresome, yes, in parts. But overall, his programs can be pretty interesting and informative, depending on the subject matter he is covering.
Brainaddict
slight system overdrive
Surely if 'failing to expose Savile' is the standard then every journalist failed? Or at least every journalist who ever wrote anything significant about Savile and therefore had a chance to get at the truth.
I think Theroux is a mixture of the two, but then I think most journalists are a mixture of serious journo and 'ignorant, over-privileged dullard with no curiousity about the world'. So in the big scheme of things I don't judge Theroux too harshly.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
He had heard the rumours but didn't investigate them. That's more or less the job description of an investigative journalist - to investigate the truth of rumours where they are only rumours so there isn't hard evidence to get the police involved. And he didn't do it. He was contented with making a documentary that showed Savile to be a weirdo who we could all laugh/cringe at while thanking the lord we're not like them.
Therefore, he isn't a serious journalist.
bimble
floofy
Have you seen the film he made about his (& everyone else’s) failure to see the truth about JS? It’s a long time ago I watched it but thought it was good.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Compare and contrast with Brian Fogel's documentary Icarus. Started off making a film about his own little experiment with drugs to see how he could improve his performance. Ended up exposing Russia's state-run doping programme. You go where the investigative trail takes you. You don't start already at your destination, which is what Theroux generally does.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
No, I haven't.
rubbershoes
not the only raver in the village
Tbf his faux naive style will have helped him make some of his programmes without being lynched. His style together with his English accent would have made some of his American interviewees less inclined to think that they were being held up to ridicule
bimble
floofy
Seems to still be available on bbc. Called savile.
friendofdorothy
Solidarity against neoliberalism!
His irritating faux naivety is unbearable.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Might give it a go. Not sure Louis Theroux is the best person to explain why Louis Theroux failed to expose Savile, mind.
Yeah me too.
Except that one he did about LA people and their dogs, that was just boring.
This is probably how I feel too. It might've been the Westboro Baptist Church stuff which changed him, as that was the first time I can remember him being unable to create any kind of resonance between us and the topic.
I don't watch TV (makes me swear and fidget) but I can usually sit in the (warm) living room while it's on (I especially like sport as it is supremely ignorable) but there are some programmes or presenters which drive me out into the freezy kitchen...Louis T being one of the most irritating.
planetgeli
There's no future in England's dreaming
He's light entertainment. Nobody thinks he's challenging Dispatches, World in Action or Panorama at their respective peaks do they? Least of all him I'd imagine. There's nothing inherently wrong with what he does. He's not my thing but I get why people are entertained (not particularly informed) by his programmes. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Private Storm
Smell The Glove
I just read his book. Sounds like a normal bloke just trying to do stuff that isn't shit, mostly creating compelling stuff, sometimes being shit. I can relate.
RileyOBlimey
Well-Known Member
I used to vaguely like his work but even then it still made me feel condescended to. I can see he aped some of style from Claude Lanzmann but Louis work by comparison reeks of spoilt child smugness.
Ax^
Silly Rabbit
think after the scientologist stuff he was less worried and more irritated by a butch of trolls who though calling someone gay as a conversation finisher
not to defend him, but he has been with real white supremacist groups, pure nazis and the wesbros
now aside from one fella who is a dangerous fuckwit, he is dealing with failed racist youtubers who won#t admit their true intentions
and gettting filmed whilst doing it
not to defend him, but he has been with real white supremacist groups, pure nazis and the wesbros
now aside from one fella who is a dangerous fuckwit, he is dealing with failed racist youtubers who won#t admit their true intentions
and gettting filmed whilst doing it
Infidel Castro
Producto Falso
They aren't all thick. One is an arch-troll, another looks like a potentially serious coming political force. A third on the programme is an utter imbecile, but the other two are switched on and have mad social media skills to boot. They appeal to the right, incels, gamers, the lot. Probably the most cynical pair he's been round since the emperor of noncery himself.
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