Louis Theroux On Internet Culture, The Manosphere & Getting "Cooked"

The Romesh Ranganathan Show

Ranga Bee & Platform Media

Comedy, Society & Culture

4.6 • 713 Ratings

🗓️ 9 March 2026

⏱️ 96 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What do toxic masculinity, a lasagne obsession, and a Seat Alhambra have in common? Louis Theroux joins Romesh to draw the line between his on-camera persona and life at home. They revisit some of Louis’ most infamous documentary moments, the craft behind them, and the interview regrets he has looking back. Louis also explains why he’s drawn to spending time with people who hold extreme views, including in his latest film Inside the Manosphere, exploring misogyny and the lure of wealth in the post-Andrew Tate world with figures like HSTikkyTokky. Along the way he reflects on memorable encounters with Armie Hammer and Boris Becker – plus an uncanny King Charles impression, being “cooked” by the internet, and why he “deserved” his gold record after his viral music hit Jiggle Jiggle. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 02:15 Gift giving 03:21 Lasagna tips 06:04 Fragility in the industry 07:52 On making documentaries 22:15 On Andrew Tate 23:29 The Manosphere 29:37 Raising boys today 35:25 HStikkytokky & Jestermaxxing 41:04 Is Louis worried? 43:12 Shanthi’s question 46:21 Getting cooked & Jiggle Jiggle 51:17 On Podcasting 55:47 On Adam Buxton 59:41 On Boris Becker 01:01:03 Measuring success 01:02:09 Comedians vs non-comedians 01:04:52 Early career beginnings 01:09:22 On reviews 01:10:32 Misquoted 01:33:50 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Do you do tester jokes?
0:01.5	What would that be?
0:02.4	You know when you're trying to test,
0:03.6	you're just trying to see how open they are to a little bit of gentle prodding?
0:08.4	I do try and, believe it or not, I do try and read the music.
0:13.2	Is that the term?
0:13.9	I try and feel the vibe.
0:16.9	And it's awkward.
0:18.3	Yeah, it can be awkward if you get it a bit wrong.
0:20.3	I do find...
0:21.0	I'm surprised sometimes how things that feel okay in my head
0:25.7	don't sound as good coming out.
0:28.0	Right.
0:29.0	Sometimes I watch things back as well and I'm like,
0:31.3	oh, gosh, what bumpious little twat you are.
0:35.2	You can't think that.
0:36.2	You're so good at it.
0:38.6	Come on, man. I wasn't talking about me.
0:39.2	I was talking about you.
0:40.1	Oh.
0:44.6	I'm Louis Theru, and I'm going to be on the Rommish Ranga Nathan show.
0:52.9	It's the Romish Ranghai, Nathan, show.
	...

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