Louis Theroux tells all
The award-winning documentary producer and presenter Louis Theroux has visited National Prison Radio (NPR) and you can hear the interview this month.
Louis is well known for his unique documentary style. He uses a gentle questioning approach to shine a light on what he describes as “intriguing beliefs, behaviours and institutions, by getting to know people at the heart of them.”
This month, however, the tables have been turned after Louis agreed to go under the spotlight himself and do an interview for NPR.
He tells National Prison Radio about producing a documentary with the Ku Klux Klan, filming with an extreme religious group, and filming in the notorious San Quentin State Prison.
But when he was in the NPR studio, he found it difficult to resist the temptation to turn back into the interviewer.
National Prison Radio presenter Moe had to work hard to keep the interview on track and when Louis started asking questions himself, Moe stepped in. He told fellow-presenter Jonny, “I do want to point something out. Louis is finessing us! We’re meant to be finding out about him!”
And they did! From music to micro blading, from winning awards to being woke, the National Prison Radio interview is wide-ranging and unexpected – and includes his thoughts about prison and what it’s like visiting as a journalist.
Louis talks openly about his early days in TV and working in the United States. He talks about how he developed as a presenter and found his own unique style. But what did he think of his time in HMP Brixton?
Louis says these are the places he’s most interested in: “Life takes place in the margins and life is a little bit hidden away from the mainstream.”
Although Louis Theroux is a multi-award winning TV personality, he also knows about coping with setbacks. He tells NPR: “I don’t want to sound like a fortune-cookie or a Hallmark card. I genuinely think that a setback is often the springboard to a comeback. The things I look back on with most pride in my life have been times of adversity, things that felt difficult and hopeless but I came out the other side.”
In true NPR style, the interview ended with Moe asking for Louis’ song request. He chose a song he holds close to his heart and says it’s a guaranteed dance-floor filler!
Tune in to the National Prison Radio interview with Louis Theroux on ‘NPR Talk’, Wednesday 15th May 2024, to find out what track Louis chose and you may even hear him break into song!
NPR Talk is on every Wednesday at 12:00 & 18:00.
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