Louis Theroux Interviews

[johnworf]

Have watched both episodes of the new series with mixed feelings.

Louis' interview style seems to be different; much more relaxed, less probing and some of the questions are a bit meh.

I gave up on the Stormzy episode. It could have been so much more given the political and social weight he carries.

However, I loved last nights episode with Dame Judy Dench. She was a delight and such a self deprecating person.

Anyone else watched it?

Only watched the Stormzy one so far. I didn't know much about him but enjoyed the episode.

I've just recently watched the episodes Louis did in lock down when he reflected on past interviews and it goes a way to explain how his style has changed.

I was disappointed in the Stormzy one - we had a thread about it on here. I found it bland and you could see how slick and stage managed it was whereas with his non-celeb interviews his trademark was the spontenaity (sp?) and off the cuff seeming questions. I didn't learn anything new about Stormzy ir his amazing talent as a musician.

I'm not terribly interested in Judi Dench so won't seek it out. I caught the last 10 minutes of it last night and she seemed like a caricature of a proper old lovey. Didn't pique my interest.

I'm usually his biggest fan but I've not really enjoyed the last few things he's done, so not itching to watch the Stormzy one, or Judy Dench. Can't put my finger on it. His previous interviews are gold.

He doesn't normally interview celebs does he. And most people know his style and it perhaps isn't designed to get the best out of people (though his programme on post part in psychosis was brilliant) so perhaps he has to change his style

Watched the Judi Dench one. It was quite interesting, and I loved seeing her beautiful house - all those trees dedicated to friends - and husband, who'd passed away! She's certainly the epitome of a lovey in the nicest way.

I watched some of it. Hopefully watch the rest tonight.
I wasn't expecting it to be as good as his documentaries anyway to be honest.

The Judi Dench one just made me sad, she seemed more like an old woman than an actress. Such a shame her sight has gone so she can’t navigate a stage anymore.

Judi Dench is an old woman. She's already outlived so many people! There are people all around her who are making it possible for her to carry on working despite her sight problems.

How many people are deprived of the chance of working if they want to carry on at 20, 30, 40 years younger than her? And how many of them could make the hundreds of thousands she would have got from her recent Money Supermarket TV adverts?

@DeeofDenmark

I didn't get that impression of Judi Dench at all. Her life seems to be really enviable. She has plenty of money, a happy relationship with family who she sees a lot of, a gorgeous house, lots of friends, the admiration of millions, a fabulous career to look back on AND a career that's not yet over. She also seems to be totally on the ball still. I don't understand how on earth anyone could feel sorry for her.

We live near to another elderly actress whose sight has unfortunately gone as well. Yes it is very sad. She has full time carers and her family visit a lot.

I really enjoyed the Judi Dench one, she’s got a lovely chuckle and it cheered me up on this dreary day. She has a gorgeous garden, I miss summer already.

I didn’t feel sorry for her, just sad that we won’t be seeing her talent in future. The interview was very much past tense.

I always liked his interviews but once I saw the Stephen Bartlett interviews on Diary of a CEO, I realised how crap Louis Theroux really is at interviewing.

I think his niche is the kind of interviews he does in his documentaries though, rather than these 'straightforward' interviews in this series if you know what I mean

I like the Ben Fogle reel stories and the latest Louis ones feel a bit too similar which is not what we are used to from him so it grates.

Oh I love LTs shows, thanks for flagging this up.
I would imagine he will have to go through the questions in advance with an agent and take all the spontaneity out of it, compared to off-the-cuff interviews with unknown people. But it still sounds worth a watch

I loved that Dame Judi said Louis had more people there than on the Bond set. And good that you actually saw them spruce up her area eg vacuuming her sofa🤣.

Well, sort of. Louis is very watchable but there's nothing special but softly softly sycophantic celeb interviews. It's a bit like he sold out.

*about softly softly etc

Going from 'a national treasure' this week to Yungblud next week which to me, an old fogey, is a bit too close to Stormzy.

I hope these types of interviews are just a one off and he'll go back to doing his usual interview style. I doubt I'll continue watching if he doesn't.

It wasn't really an interview. Was quite indulgent for Louis. He hasn't done his homework but it was nice to see her at home with her family

I've watched them both now
The one with Stormzy was better.
I think Louis seemed more comfortable and at ease in that one as well

I wonder if he was intimidated by Dame J or sensitive to her age. I came away from that one feeling quite sad

I watched the Judi Dench one. It was interesting but, yes, I did feel she was more frail than before - at 87 fair enough, still more energy than me. It did feel like a swansong.
She was funny and sharp at times. Does not suffer fools gladly or need the adulation.
A little uncomfortable when she was not happy talking about Michael but silence from Louis meant she did. I would have liked to have heard more about her view of Harvey/Kevin/cancelling of work vs the man. I would have liked to have found out whether she thought she deserved the Oscar for that particular role and which of her many works she is happiest with.
Would have been interested in how Finty's pregnancy with Sam was kept from her until the last minute (life reflecting art wrt a role she was playing at the time) but appreciate it really is not any of my business. The same as her 12 year relationship with David.
I did feel the 45 minutes was to honour her/a retrospective, more than anything else. It would be lovely for her to have one last stab at Shakespeare though or one last meaty part. I do admire her for doing adverts regardless - fair play, if I were a jobbing actress and clover got me a house, I'd also have done them. In the event of her sight meaning an end to bigger roles, hope she can do some cameos or radio plays or voiceovers with earpiece if necessary, as she made it clear age is a number and she wasn't ready to say goodbye to it all yet. I'd be canvassing for a Xmas Strictly appearance, whilst I was still fit enough but that's just me!

Ruby Wax, is that you?