Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends

This show is a unique and highly enjoyable experience. His interviewing style is not only hilarious to watch, but very effective at getting people to expose their most blunt and inner secrets. This means that each episode is not only a learning experience but laugh out loud funny.

This also often results in some pretty intense scenes where people reflect on their often sad lives. At this point they either get mad at him, dismiss him, or take it on board. Usually they will simply dismiss or get mad which can make the show a little depressing at points. I would say this makes the humour more appealing to fans of shows like The Office and other British comedies, but also funny for and American audience because of Louis naive character.

Anyone who hasn't seen Louis Theroux in his Weird Weekends series is in for a massive treat. I've just been through two four-hour DVDs from the video shop and it's a delight from start to finish. The weirdest thing was the episode with Jimmy Saville, who really is weird. That's Weird with a capital W.

Louis Theroux is such a charming, disarming sort of guy that you can't help but love him. He has this naïve, simplistic manner and way of asking questions, like a five year old set free into a world of adults, none more so than the Swingers episode. And the South Africa episode… and the Survivalists episode… and so on.

My favourite is the Gangsta Rap Weird Weekend where Louis tries to become mean and nasty, a ghetto gangsta rapper; somehow, it just doesn't fit, although it's great fun doing his best to be angry, thinking up rap songs on the cuff. He explains how, in the shower, he thought up some lyrics for his rap debut: 'Jiggle, Jiggle, I like you more than a little… do you maybe want to fiddle?' Can a gangsta rappa drive a Fiat? We get loads of questions like that.

In the weekend with the Hamiltons, Louis stumbles upon the bizarre rape allegations arrest of Neil and Christine Hamilton, a major scoop for the show as Louis lands up filming the Hamiltons being filmed by the press and TV. He becomes news himself in his role as a documentary reporter/journalist.

I'm not sure about Jimmy Saville. I think he is definitely too weird even for Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends series.

I have to agree - This is a gem. Where he finds these people I don't know, but there is nothing else quite like Louis.

There was a two DVD set available in the UK - not sure if it's still available, contains for episodes along with some extra's. It's worth chasing.

Over the last few months, I have become obsessed with Louis Theroux and his documentaries. However, as much as I've enjoyed his recent programmes, Weird Weekends is still his Magnum Opus.

Theroux is an endearing screen presence, not to mention intelligent, funny, articulate and attractive. During WW's 3-season run, he had covered a number of interesting subjects ranging from porn to demolition derby. His non-judgemental attitude and willingness to take part makes him one of the best documentarians working today.

My favourite WW episodes are:

Looking for love Gangster Rap Black Nationalists Body building Professional wrestling Off-off Broadway Informercials Swingers

Hell I pretty much like all of them!

I hope Louis decides to do another series next year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first series. He'll have his work cut out for him though trying to find another weird subculture to explore. Especially considering there are now channels devoted to extraordinary human interest stories (e.g. TLC).

I am a big fan of Penn and Teller's Bulls**t! but now that I have discovered Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, I believe that Penn and Teller may have gotten some ideas for their show from Theroux's. One thing that I kind of like better about Louis's show is that when he interacts with "unusual" people, he doesn't really judge them or treat them as idiots or other names as P&T do. Also, P&T often focus too much on libertarianism which sometimes can be a bit annoying, and Louis does not seem to have a particular political agenda. Something interesting too is that Louis really gets involved with his subjects, and since he has a good attitude, it seems they like him and tend to be open about their beliefs. It's a shame that he only did relatively few episodes...