Documentaries
Theroux started his career as a journalist but he is best known or his creative, ground-breaking and sometimes humorous documentaries. Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends started of his independent documentary career and received popular success. The expository style helped Theroux to endorse himself into the different culture while implying a hidden message to the audience. Theroux commented on the series stating, "To me, it's almost a privilege to be welcomed into these communities and to shine a light on them and, maybe, through my enthusiasm, to get people to reveal more of themselves than they may have intended." This interesting series lasted from 1998-2000 and contained episodes focusing on different cultures, societies and beliefs in America, including "survivalists, black nationalists and white supremacists." - (Wikipedia)
Theroux started working again on this project in 2003 due to his deal with BBCTwo, where he went back to America to expose other aspects of cultures and societies such as the Neo-Nazi community and The Most Hated Family In America episode.
An example of Theroux's expository exploration. A serious
yet humours style.
When Louis Met
Theroux's series of meeting British celebrities and following them in their daily lives caught great media and audience attention. The series started shortly after Theroux's Weird Weekends and ended in 2002. When Louis Met Jimmy was a great success for Theroux and had a significant role in career, being that critics have regarded the documentary as "one of the top fifty documentaries of all time in a survey by Britain's Channel 4." (Wikipedia) Theroux changed the opinions of many when he exposed Max Clifford's attempts to "stitch Louis up" and the disgrace of MP Neil Hamilton during the period of assault allegations. Throughout the making of the series Theroux had planned to investigate and expose the life of Michael Jackson. However, this fell through but it did not stop Theroux from reusing the footage to make a documentary about his experience trying to gain and interview with Michael Jackson. It was named Louis,Martin&Michael.
Books and Filmography
Theroux's novel, " The Call of the Weird: Travels in American Subcultures" focuses on several families lives who he had interviewed in various past episodes. It was an up-to-date account on the developments since the audience and Theroux had last seen them.
Theroux has also had a minor role in Take a Peek, where he acted "as a ranger in search of a criminal." (Wikipedia)
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Category | Show | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Richard Dimbleby Award for the Best Presenter (Factual, Features and News) | When Louis Met... | Won |
| Flaherty Documentary Award (TV) | When Louis Met... The Hamiltons | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Richard Dimbleby Award for the Best Presenter (Factual, Features and News) | Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends | Won |
Emmy Awards
| Year | Category | Show | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Outstanding Informational Series | TV Nation | Nominated |
Royal Television Society Television Awards
| Year | Category | Show | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best Presenter | A Place for Paedophiles | Won |
| 2002 | Best Presenter | When Louis Met... | Nominated |
Tables sourced from Wikipedia
Conclusion
Theroux's expository stylistic mode was very important to research as my own documentary will expose a culture and society. However, the humour aspects will not be present. Theroux's individual style and interesting content is the main factor for his global success.
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