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.
| When Louis Met... | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Louis Theroux |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 13 April 2000 – 26 March 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.
The show did not return for a third series, Theroux admitted that he had difficulty in finding people to appear. [1]
Episode List
Series one
When Louis Met...Jimmy
- Original airdate 13 April 2000
Louis visits his childhood hero – 73-year-old Jimmy Savile OBE, the miner who became a TV and radio star.
When Louis Met...Paul And Debbie
- Original airdate 2 February 2001
Louis joins Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee in their 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 11 December 2001
Louis follows the former Tory MP Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine Hamilton as they try to make a living as "objects of curiosity". The film features Louis on the sofa with a tipsy Christine, and follows the pair when they are arrested over an alleged sexual scandal (both were later cleared).
Series two
When Louis Met...Ann Widdecombe
- Original airdate 3 March 2002
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
- Original airdate 12 March 2002
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
- Original airdate 19 March 2002
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 flashy car, an ex-model partner, a large home and a role in Crewe's pantomime.
When Louis Met...Max Clifford
- Original airdate 26 March 2002
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.
When Louis Met... Derek Acorah
- Original airdate TBA 2009
A special one off show. Louis is to spend time with medium Derek Acorah and his wife Gwen during the taping of a new series named "Derek Acorah" for Sky TV.
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"