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The Louis Theroux Podcast

The Louis Theroux Podcast

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 Join Louis Theroux as he embarks on a series of in-depth and freewheeling conversations with a curated collection of fascinating figures from across the globe. The Louis Theroux Podcast is a Spotify podcast from Mindhouse, now available everywhere. Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • S5 EP8: Michael Cera on working with Tom Cruise, featuring in 'Barbie', and never graduating

    S5 EP8: Michael Cera on working with Tom Cruise, featuring in 'Barbie', and never graduating
    Jun 24 2025
    In this very special bonus episode, Louis is joined by actor and writer Michael Cera. Michael tells Louis about his foul-mouthed run-in with Tom Cruise, nearly missing out on his role as Allan in Barbie, and the reason he never graduated from high school. Plus, Louis reveals which Superbad character he most aligns with… Warnings: Strong language Links/Attachments: Film: The Phoenician Scheme (2025) - dir. Wes Anderson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMnPl2WI4 TV Show: Arrested Development (2004-2019) - Fox/Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358 TV Show: The Office (2001-2003) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office TV Show: The Grubbs (2002) - Fox https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK Film: Superbad (2007) https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023 Advert: ‘Pillsbury Doughboy Commercial’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I Film: Year One (2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU Film: Ghostbusters (1984) https://www.netflix.com/title/541018 Film: A Minecraft Movie (2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I Film: Anora (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c Film: Funny Games (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-70W_K77U Film: Benny’s Video (1992) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18X_kyHW3G0 Film: White Ribbon (2009) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY Film: The Castle (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hsui0 Film: Right Now, Wrong Then (2015) - dir. Hong Sang-soo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOE-Zznq_S4 Film: Yourself and Yours (2016) - dir. Hong Sang-soo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F7SkR8yew Film: Claire’s Camera (2017) - dir. Hong Sang-soo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-C5L0TupE Short Story: ‘My Man Jeremy’ - Michael Cera https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/my-man-jeremy Short Story: ‘Pinecone’ - Michael Cera https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/mcsweeneys-issue-30 Book: True Grit – Charles Portis Book: Masters of Atlantis – Charles Portis Book: Dog of the South – Charles Portis TV Show: Scenes from a Marriage (2021) - HBO Film: Fanny and Alexander (1982) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGIHjc6C_Q Film: Barbie (2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM TV Show: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) - Channel 4 https://www.channel4.com/programmes/garth-marenghis-darkplace Film: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) - dir. Edgar Wright https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4 Film: This Is The End (2013) https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796 Documentary: Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail (2011) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx Film: Rushmore (1998) - dir. Wes Anderson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8 Film: A Clockwork Orange (1971) - dir. Stanley Kubrick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T54uZPI4Z8A&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD TV Show: Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/mr-show-with-bob-and-david Film: Bottle Rocket (1996) - dir. Wes Anderson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJPQ-NnjZR0 Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • S5 EP7: Danny Dyer on battling addiction, UFO obsessions, and tackling Shakespeare

    S5 EP7: Danny Dyer on battling addiction, UFO obsessions, and tackling Shakespeare
    Jun 16 2025
    This week, Louis sits down with Danny Dyer, the Bafta-winning actor and all-round national treasure. The pair discuss Danny’s experience battling addiction while performing on stage, their shared fascination with UFOs, and whether Danny would ever do Shakespeare. Plus, Danny reveals what he really thinks about being described as ‘the people’s Louis Theroux’. Links/Attachments: Via – UK Drug and Alcohol Addiction Charity https://www.viaorg.uk/ TV Show: ‘Who Do You Think You Are? (2007 – Present) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t575 Book: Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel (2009) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Hall-Shortlisted-Golden-Booker/dp/0007230206 TV Show: ‘Wolf Hall’ (2015) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02gfy74/wolf-hall-series-1-1-three-card-trick Loving (1995) https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/loving/umc.cmc.46n84c1skr7ogikets6qczv2v Play: Hamlet, William Shakespeare (~1600) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamlet-William-Shakespeare/dp/1853260096 Human Traffic (1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPK6ZYq_p0 The Football Factory (2004) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzuEkF1oLVE Goodbye Charlie Bright (2001) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217824/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 The Business (2001) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVZX9I6y97k Book: The Football Factory, John King (1997) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Football-Factory-John-King/dp/0099731916 Article in shortlist 2017: https://www.shortlist.com/news/danny-dyers-deadliest-men-louis-theroux-documentary-tv TV Show: ‘Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men’ (2008-2009) - Bravo https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2288499/ TV Show: ‘Big Brother’ (2000 – Present) - ITV https://www.itv.com/watch/big-brother/10a4928 ‘What a touch! Danny Dyer wins Male Performance in a Comedy for Mr Bigstuff | BAFTA TV Awards’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XQLYDZeYVg TV Show: ‘Mr Bigstuff’ (2024) - Sky Max https://www.sky.com/watch/mr-bigstuff TV Show: ‘Plebs’ (2012 – 2019) - ITV https://www.itv.com/watch/plebs/2a1873 TV Show: ‘Rivals’ (2024) - Disney Plus https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-97399b9f-964e-444c-91f3-7db9f11efe5d I Believe in UFOs: Danny Dyer (2010) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7008276/ TV Episode: ‘Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends: UFOs’ (1998) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hf8tg TV Show: ‘Prime Suspect’ (1991 – 2006) - ITV https://www.itv.com/watch/prime-suspect/1a1685 TV Show: ‘Cracker’ (1993 – 1996) - ITV https://www.itv.com/watch/cracker/1a1918 Three Quick Breaths (upcoming film) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35566934/ TV Show: ‘Eastenders’ (1985 – Present) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006m86d/eastenders Podcast: ‘Desert Island Discs: Danny Dyer’ - BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c2hw Play: Celebration, Harold Pinter (2000) http://www.haroldpinter.org/plays/plays_celebration.shtml Play: The Dumb Waiter, Harold Pinter (1957) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dumb-Waiter-Play-Acting-One/dp/0573042101 Play: The Caretaker, Harold Pinter (1960) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caretaker-Play-Harold-Pinter/dp/0573040028 Play: The Birthday Party, Harold Pinter (1958) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birthday-Party-Pinter-Plays/dp/0571160786 Play: The Room, Harold Pinter (1957) https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/room-book-harold-pinter-9780573022364 Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Artemis Irvine Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Immie Webb Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • S5 EP6: Ed Sheeran on squeezing Stormzy into his Mini, having breakfast with Van Morrison, and remaining normal

    S5 EP6: Ed Sheeran on squeezing Stormzy into his Mini, having breakfast with Van Morrison, and remaining normal
    Jun 9 2025
    In this episode, Louis speaks to pop megastar Ed Sheeran. Joining Louis in the studio, Ed describes squeezing Stormzy into his Mini, a surprising breakfast with Van Morrison, and how to be normal when you’re one of the most famous people in the world. Warning: Strong language, as well as some adult themes. Links/Attachments: Album: ‘Play’, Ed Sheeran (2025) https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/096l4VGKXhhUHyjD8gh1tf Album: ‘Autumn Variations’, Ed Sheeran (2023) https://open.spotify.com/album/5LXOgcszGvUkYzYL4v6wYg Album: ‘Subtract’, Ed Sheeran (2023) https://open.spotify.com/album/2WFFcvzM0CgLaSq4MSkyZk SBTV – Online Platform https://sbtv.co.uk/home/ Album: ‘Astral Weeks’, Van Morrison (1968) https://open.spotify.com/album/4pG3bKkbmReDt5QTDn3JDz Album: ‘Moondance’, Van Morrison (1970) https://open.spotify.com/album/5PfnCqRbdfIDMb1x3MPQam Album: ‘Irish Heartbeat’, Van Morrison & The Chieftains (1988) https://open.spotify.com/album/0qTjwpf7Oqh8MGtK3aflgO Album: ‘Van Morrison at the Movies’, Van Morrison (2007) https://www.vanmorrison.com/music/van-morrison-at-the-movies-soundtrack-hits Album: ‘Veedon Fleece’, Van Morrison (1974) https://open.spotify.com/album/1zvI5Kkxus94lhz0RvZWBf Album: ‘Saint Dominic’s Preview’, Van Morrison (1972) https://open.spotify.com/album/0i3c1sR3poI6S2VIH2VP7Q Song: ‘All Along the Watchtower’, Bob Dylan (1967) https://open.spotify.com/track/0Fnb2pfBfu0ka33d6Yki17 A Complete Unknown (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdV-Cs5o8mc Song: ‘F64’, Ed Sheeran (2023) https://open.spotify.com/track/5DFi6D7SrYHRIgZbY5MqqE Song: ‘Jiggle Jiggle’, Louis Theroux and Duke & Jones (2022) https://open.spotify.com/artist/016Rz5DsXUPPxosNTZLYcv Song: ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You’, Ed Sheeran (2011) https://open.spotify.com/track/5KL4iZkCTZyXl7KnHgfVDj Song: 'They Won't Go When I Go', Stevie Wonder (1974) https://open.spotify.com/track/1lIOMibFPfFYlJnjQaZluo Song: ‘Bootylicious’, Destiny’s Child (2001) https://open.spotify.com/track/09mkdGhqb5ySKVsnkx9hy2 Song: ‘Superstition’, Stevie Wonder (1972) https://open.spotify.com/track/4N0TP4Rmj6QQezWV88ARNJ Album: ‘Mule Variations’, Tom Waits (1999) https://open.spotify.com/album/7cAcex6xw4fP67ltgn1gm3 Song: ‘JCB’, Nizlopi (2005) https://open.spotify.com/track/6CWCgRZ0Hxa2dnrCCvq5bA Album: ‘Nebraska’, Bruce Springsteen (1982) https://open.spotify.com/album/6yskFQZNlLYhkchAxELHi6 Song: ‘Born in the U.S.A.’, Bruce Springsteen (1984) https://open.spotify.com/track/0dOg1ySSI7NkpAe89Zo0b9 Song: ‘Atlantic City’, Bruce Springsteen (1982) https://open.spotify.com/track/1Vp8U39YNsDfd6yVuaUq12 Song: ‘Azizam’, Ed Sheeran (2025) https://open.spotify.com/track/0GRc3eGTg8HBdWLRGYgqIc Song: ‘Shape of You’, Ed Sheeran (2017) https://open.spotify.com/track/7qiZfU4dY1lWllzX7mPBI3 Song: ‘Baby Shark’, Pinkfong (2017) https://open.spotify.com/track/5ygDXis42ncn6kYG14lEVG Moana (2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKFuXETZUsI Song: ‘Thinking Out Loud’, Ed Sheeran (2014) https://open.spotify.com/track/34gCuhDGsG4bRPIf9bb02f Song: ‘Let’s Get It On’, Marvin Gaye (1973) https://open.spotify.com/track/627teoJpK7qZOxRRY8TNnv TV Show: ‘Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All’ (2023) - Disney+ https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-76b2ccc7-d7d8-434c-b750-f97746bce411 The Lego Movie (2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ_JOBCLF-I Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Artemis Irvine Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Immie Webb Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 25 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
Theroux is great at connecting with his interviewees which encourages them to open up. If you’re interested in exploring a person’s inner-world and motivation, then this is for you. I only vaguely knew of some of these people, others I was not aware of at all - but every episode I’ve heard so far has provided really interesting insights into life. Start at the beginning & work your way Theroux ;)

Theroux at his best

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Enjoyed everyone interesting despite not knowing half the people interviewed Louis always entertains and asks the best questions

Always on point

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he interrupts and asks another question before they have answered the previous one. it's unbearable.

Louis doesn't let his interviewee speak!

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Firstly, the audio volume levels are shocking. I was having to turn the volume up and down. Louis starts off by introducing the sponsors (second complaint) which have obviously been recorded separately but the volume goes quiet LOUD quiet. When listening to anything with earbuds you don't normally have to adjust the volume every 30 secs! Second complaint, the introduction is purely adverts. "This episode is sponsored by...this episode is sponsored by..." I got to my third sponsor and switched off.

I don't mind adverts. I understand how sponsors work. But for the love of all things audio, give us some content first? Space out the adverts?

And finally, Louis let's out a HUGE spoiler for a show that's currently out on TV. There was the usual "spoiler alert" then he blurted out "XXX dies" before you have chance to take heed of the spoiler alert.

Honestly, I cannot comprehend how poorly this was put together. Maybe I caught a bad episode? Dunno. Not gonna waste my time on it.

Louis needs to go back to his beginnings and interview non famous people in my opinion

Gave up after 10 mins

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