When Louis Met... is a series of documentary films made by Bafta award-winning film-maker Louis Theroux. The series was originally aired on BBC2 from 2000 to 2002.
In the series, Theroux accompanied a different British celebrity in each programme as they went about their day-to-day business, interviewing them about their lives and experiences as he did so. His episode about the DJ and charity fund-raiser Sir Jimmy Savile (When Louis Met...Jimmy) was voted one of the top fifty documentaries of all time in a survey by Britain's Channel Four. In another episode ("When Louis Met...The Hamiltons"), the disgraced Tory MP Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine were arrested following false allegations of indecent assault during the course of filming.
Episode List
Season one
When Louis Met...Jimmy
Louis visits his childhood hero – 73-year-old Jimmy Savile OBE, the miner who became a TV and radio star – and gets to ride in Jimmy's Rolls-Royce which has golden hubcaps.
When Louis Met...Paul And Debbie
- Original airdate February 2, 2001
Louis joins Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee in their beautiful home beside the River Thames and on the road as the magician appears on Celebrity Ready, Steady, Cook and his wife launches a ballet company.
When Louis Met...The Hamiltons
- Original airdate December 11, 2001
Louis follows the disgraced Tory MP and his notorious wife as they try to make a living as "objects of curiosity". The film features Louis canoodling on the sofa with a tipsy Christine and following the pair when they are arrested over a sexual scandal (both were cleared later).
Season two
When Louis Met...Ann Widdecombe
A prickly encounter with the Conservative politician in which Louis upsets her by asking about her possibly non-existent sex life and hears about her love of poetry and cats.
When Louis Met...Chris Eubank
Louis joins the ex-boxer at home, in the ring and on a trip to buy jodhpurs. Eubank attempts a tongue twister and pontificates on being a role model for children.
When Louis Met...Keith Harris and Orville
Louis meets the ventriloquist who no longer enjoys the TV light entertainment limelight (and can't hide his bitterness about that) but is still earning a good living. He has a flash car, an ex-model missus, a large home and a role in Crewe's pantomime.
When Louis Met...Max Clifford
Louis meets the PR guru/media manipulator as he handles Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell and child star Declan Galbraith and organises a charity do involving Westlife.
Awards
Winner - 2002 BAFTA TV Award - Richard Dimbleby Award for the Best Presenter (Factual, Features and News) - For the "When Louis Met..." series of films.
Nominated - 2002 Flaherty Documentary Award - For "When Louis Met...The Hamiltons"