Gotta Get Theroux This

My Life and Strange Times in Television

By: Louis Theroux

Narrated by: Louis Theroux

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A funny, insightful memoir by much-loved documentary maker Louis Theroux, taking us on a weird and wonderful journey through two decades of groundbreaking television.

In 1994, fledgling journalist Louis Theroux was given a one-off gig on Michael Moore’s TV Nation, presenting a segment on apocalyptic religious sects. Gawky, socially awkward and totally unqualified, his first reaction to this exciting opportunity was panic. But he’d always been drawn to offbeat characters, so maybe his enthusiasm would carry the day. Or, you know, maybe it wouldn’t.

In his audiobook, Louis takes the listener on a joyous journey through his life and unexpectedly successful career. Nervously accepting the BBC’s offer of his own series, he went on to create an award-winning documentary style that has seen him immersed in worlds as diverse as racist US militias and secretive pro wrestlers, the violent gangs of Johannesburg and extreme drinkers in London.

Arguably his biggest challenge was corralling celebrities in his When Louis Met series, with Jimmy Savile proving most elusive. Blindsided when the revelations about Savile came to light, Louis was to reflect again on the nature of evil he had spent decades uncovering.

©2019 Louis Theroux (P)2019 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

"If you are a fan of Louis Theroux's self-deprecating humour and relaxed broadcasting style, you will enjoy this honest and soul-searching account of his life so far." (Sunday Express)

A fantastic honest and fascinating distillation of Louis journey thus far!

A highly enjoyable listen, perfectly nastraste content from a highly talented writer and performer - a walk along the path of one of the best documentarians working today

Exactly what I expected but in a good way.

i enjoy pretty much everything Louis does and this is no different. He hit on a lot of his famous docs and I learned a lot of things about his personal life I didn't know about. This is definitely worth the listen if you are even passively interested in Louis.

Louis is a good narrator

If you're a fan of Louis' then you will recognize many of the stories he recounts. I'd say the book is maybe a little heavy on Jimmy Saville stories especially if you're a US fan who may be less familiar with JS. Apparently his editors thought the same and even cut at least one JS from the final manuscript. This isn't really a complaint just an area of lesser interest for those of us less familiar with that entire story. Louis has a great sense of humor and his dry British wit had me marking certain passages for me to play for my wife. Louis is honest about his shortcomings in his personal life and his story feels honest and is interesting. Louis is a good narrator as well. I can't imagine this book read by another so it's very satisfying if you're a fan of his documentaries

wonderful!

I'm so glad I got the audible version and was able to hear the extra chapter. Been a fan of Theroux for a decade or so now and he did not disappoint! Thank you.

Interesting

I’ve watched Louis ever since he first appeared on bbc, many years ago. His interviewing style and those he interviewed where always intriguing, later Louis would make less whacky and more raw common issues, opioids, prison etc.
Louis reveals all here, his failings accomplishments and his hopes, to wit his personality gets revealed, which as the old saying goes, never meet your hero’s, a privileged life, with a hint of condescending tinged behind a very honest appreciation of the man himself.
You might love Louis but by the end of the audio you might find the person behind the camera is less thoughtful version of himself to that as a career driven manipulator.