maybe he needs some string
This was Theroux's big break into show business, holding a regular prime time slot on BBC2. He mostly followed American subcultures around, investigating and researching their backgrounds, and making friends and enemies in the process. Theroux often presents moral questions to the viewer, encouraging them to make up their own mind regarding the subject in hand, rather than directly giving his own opinion. The show ran from 1998-2000, with a total of 17 episodes.
On the series, Louis had this to say:
“Weird Weekends set out to discover the genuinely odd in the most ordinary setting. To me, it's almost a privilege to be welcomed into these communities and to shine a light on them and, maybe, through my enthusiasm, to get people to reveal more of themselves than they may have intended. The show is laughing at me, adrift in their world, as much as at them. I don't have to play up that stuff. I'm not a matinee idol disguised as a nerd.”
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| Series | Weird Weekends |
| Airdate | 15/01/1998 - 30/10/2000 |
| Episodes | 17 |
- UFOs
- Porn
- Swingers
- Louis investigates the pros and cons of "the lifestyle". Starring Mr & mrs hobby
- Wrestling
- How real is wrestling? How dangerous is it? Does Louis have what it takes to become one? Just some of the questions Louis answers in this adventure into the American subculture.
- Gangsta Rap
- Just how dangerous and gangster are gangsta rappers? Louis finds out and tries rapping and writing some rap music of his own.
- Starring: Mello-T, Shaun Brock, Master P?
- Televangelists And Religious Cults
- How far will Christians go to spread their word? Louis investigates the new craze of televangelism.
- Starring: Randy James
- Survivalists
- Louis meets different groups of people who think the world is coming to an end.
- Starring: Mountain Mike, Gig Lizzy
- Infomercials
- Investigation into the quality of US shopping channels.
- Black Nationalists
- Louis encounters many awkward moments interviewing black supremacy groups and discovering their extremity.
- Demolition Derby?
- Louis tries his hand training and competing in a demolition derby, but will he make it to the final?
- Off-Off Broadway
- Louis investigates talent agencies in New York to see how they work and find out whether he has what it takes to make it big.
- Starring: Nicole, James Lawrenzo
- Hypnosis
- Is hypnosis real? Louis Theroux investigates several hypnosis techniques, one of which claims to turn you into a millionaire. No challenge!
- Starring: Marshall Sylver, Michael, Ross Jeffries?
- Enlightenment
- What is enlightenment in India? Louis visits many spiritual leaders and their followers questioning their validity.
- South Africa
- Louis investigates white supremacy groups in South Africa.
- Body Building
- How legal are body building competitions? What risks are involved for men and women? How sexual is the underground world? Louis Theroux investigates!
- Starring: Guy Grundy, Charles Peoples, Tatiarna, Maria?
- Thai Brides
- Weird Christmas
- Louis brings three familiar faces from Weird Weekends together to complete individual challenges (an evangelical balloon release, a porn shoot and a music recording) to spread good faith during the Christmas Period in New York. He also hosts a Christmas dinner for his guests while discussing their differences and what they can do to bring them closer together.
- Starring: J J Michaels, Randy James, Mountain Mike, Reverend Short?.
