The Louis Theroux Podcast

Louis is joined by Bobby Vylan, one half of the controversial punk-rap band Bob Vylan. In his first public interview since his contentious performance at Glastonbury - where he led a chant of ‘death to the IDF’ - Bobby discusses why he did it, the subsequent backlash and whether he still stands by the chant.     Warnings: Strong language and adult themes. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources  X Post: Visa Revoke by Deputy Secretary of State  ⁠https://x.com/DeputySecState/status/1939697586920997374?lang=en⁠ [https://x.com/DeputySecState/status/1939697586920997374?lang=en]     Article: Chuck D defending Bob Vylan  ⁠https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/chuck-d-bob-vylan-public-enemy-b2782798.html⁠ [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/chuck-d-bob-vylan-public-enemy-b2782798.html]     Article: Damon Albarn comment  ⁠https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/damon-albarn-interview-africa-express-8rsndnd85⁠ [https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/damon-albarn-interview-africa-express-8rsndnd85]     Article: IDF soldiers shooting unarmed Gazans  ⁠https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-soldiers-ordered-to-shoot-deliberately-at-unarmed-gazans-waiting-for-humanitarian-aid/00000197-ad8e-de01-a39f-ffbe33780000⁠ [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-soldiers-ordered-to-shoot-deliberately-at-unarmed-gazans-waiting-for-humanitarian-aid/00000197-ad8e-de01-a39f-ffbe33780000]     X Post: Ted Cruz thoughts on the chant  ⁠https://x.com/tedcruz/status/1939080845702083062⁠ [https://x.com/tedcruz/status/1939080845702083062]     Song: ‘Pretty Songs’, Bob Vylan (2022)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xjs3lwUmT32IuYi9KoGRw⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xjs3lwUmT32IuYi9KoGRw]     Song: ‘England’s Ending’, Bob Vylan (2020)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/album/1kGFhr8FoPJ9jqV8AT0RDA⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/album/1kGFhr8FoPJ9jqV8AT0RDA]     Article: ‘The Zionist Fallacy of Jewish Supremacy’  ⁠https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/1/9/the-zionist-fallacy-of-jewish-supremacy⁠ [https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/1/9/the-zionist-fallacy-of-jewish-supremacy]     Article: GILEE Program sending officers to Israel ⁠https://gilee.gsu.edu/files/2023/09/McDuffie-Progress-Gale-2023.pdf⁠ [https://gilee.gsu.edu/files/2023/09/McDuffie-Progress-Gale-2023.pdf]     Song: ‘Drug War’, Bob Vylan (2022)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/2kKzKi8dT2NmjVQogIfSwK⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/track/2kKzKi8dT2NmjVQogIfSwK]     Facebook Post: UKIP’s AI image of Bobby  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheUKIndependenceParty/posts/bob-vylan-is-going-home/1288462819315084/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/TheUKIndependenceParty/posts/bob-vylan-is-going-home/1288462819315084/]     Song: ‘Cop Killer’, Body Count (1992)  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XihXOw634o⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XihXOw634o]    Song: ‘Fuck Tha Police’, N.W.A (1988)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/5n8Aro6j1bEGIy7Tpo7FV7?si=e30bfbfb94694acb⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/track/5n8Aro6j1bEGIy7Tpo7FV7?si=e30bfbfb94694acb]     IHRA Antisemitism definition:  ⁠https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism⁠ [https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism]     Article: Antisemitism definition controversy  ⁠https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/the-problem-with-defining-antisemitism⁠ [https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/the-problem-with-defining-antisemitism]     CST Antisemitic report 2025:   ⁠https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2025/08/06/antisemitic-incidents-report-january-june-2025⁠ [https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2025/08/06/antisemitic-incidents-report-january-june-2025]   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   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   ⁠www.mindhouse.co.uk⁠ [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

In this week’s episode, Louis speaks with the legendary comedian, writer and adventurer Michael Palin. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, Michael details the fiery group dynamics within Monty Python, having Johnny Cash and George Harrison as famous fans, and the controversies surrounding Life Of Brian. Plus, Michael and Louis discuss whether being ’nice’ is a help or a hindrance.    Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.    Links/Attachments:    TV Show: ‘Michael Palin in Venezuela’ (2025) - Channel 5  https://www.channel5.com/show/michael-palin-in-venezuela [https://www.channel5.com/show/michael-palin-in-venezuela]     TV Show Episode: Whicker’s World from ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ (1972) - BBC  https://www.channel5.com/show/michael-palin-in-venezuela [https://www.channel5.com/show/michael-palin-in-venezuela]     TV Show: ‘Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days’ (1989) - BBC   https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b008n8yy/around-the-world-in-80-days-with-michael-palin [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b008n8yy/around-the-world-in-80-days-with-michael-palin]     The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077147/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077147/]     Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)  https://www.itv.com/watch/monty-pythons-life-of-brian/10a5145a0001B/10a5145a0001 [https://www.itv.com/watch/monty-pythons-life-of-brian/10a5145a0001B/10a5145a0001]     TV Show: ‘Ripping Yarns’ (1976 -1979) - BBC   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075568/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075568/]     TV Special: ‘Beyond the Fringe’ (1964) - BBC   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138957/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138957/]     TV Show: ‘Q5’ (1969 –1980) - BBC  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063944/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063944/]     Terry Gilliam’s animations:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47mB_UymAIc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47mB_UymAIc]     Fish slapping dance:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E]    TV Show Episode: ‘Whither Canada?’ (1969)   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758095/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758095/]     TV Show Episode: ‘The All-England Summarise Proust Competition’ (1972)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/the-all-england-summarize-proust-competition-edit/umc.cmc.2wheg7yvkb0w3w55freoic0j2?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/the-all-england-summarize-proust-competition-edit/umc.cmc.2wheg7yvkb0w3w55freoic0j2?action=play]     Album: Monty Python’s Previous Record https://open.spotify.com/album/1GkvGswqHgUyMb5kIlGU2R [https://open.spotify.com/album/1GkvGswqHgUyMb5kIlGU2R]     Sketch: Argument  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ]    Sketch: Dead/Resting Parrot  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZw35VUBdzo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZw35VUBdzo]     TV Show: ‘Fawlty Towers’ (1975-1979) - BBC   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072500/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072500/]     Sketch: The Ministry of Silly Walks  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2ViNJFZC8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2ViNJFZC8]    Book: North Korea Journal, Michael Palin (2019)   https://www.themichaelpalin.com/north-korea-journal/ [https://www.themichaelpalin.com/north-korea-journal/]      TV Show: ‘Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime’ (2020) - BBC   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1SddawMoz8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1SddawMoz8]    Life of Brian Debate with Malcolm Muggeridge (1979) - BBC   https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/cyxe9180z84o [https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/cyxe9180z84o]     A Fish Called Wanda (1988)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095159/]     Short Story: In The Penal Colony, Franz Kafka (1919)  https://www.kafka-online.info/in-the-penal-colony.html [https://www.kafka-online.info/in-the-penal-colony.html]     Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Emilia Gill  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Louis sits down with writer, actor and comedian Steve Coogan in the first episode of the new series. Steve discusses falling in and out of love with Alan Partridge, literally wearing Jimmy Savile’s shoes in ‘The Reckoning’, and being sober after his ‘delayed adolescence’. Warning: 1970s mother-in-law jokes are included.  Warnings: Strong language and adult themes. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources   Links/Attachments:    TV Show: ‘On the Hour’ (1991 – 1992) - BBC Radio 4  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008pcbq [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008pcbq]     TV Show: ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ (1994 - 1995) - BBC   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108828/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108828/]     TV Show: ‘I’m Alan Partridge' (1997 – 2002) - BBC   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129690/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129690/]     TV Show: ‘Alan Partridge’s Mid Morning Matters’ (2010 – 2016)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/episode-1/umc.cmc.6t24k6qmgn78pjfz5iueck40u?showId=umc.cmc.9x6rfy298smgramzarjelucq&action=playSmartEpisode [https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/episode-1/umc.cmc.6t24k6qmgn78pjfz5iueck40u?showId=umc.cmc.9x6rfy298smgramzarjelucq&action=playSmartEpisode]     Philomena (2013)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/philomena/umc.cmc.65o05voqje46icxfetp55hwcb?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/philomena/umc.cmc.65o05voqje46icxfetp55hwcb?action=play]     TV Show: ‘The Reckoning’ (2023) - BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0g4swnr/the-reckoning [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0g4swnr/the-reckoning]   TV Show: ‘How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)’ (upcoming show) - BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hcbk [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hcbk]     Book: Easily Distracted, Steve Coogan (2015)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/easily-distracted/steve-coogan/9780099585930 [https://www.waterstones.com/book/easily-distracted/steve-coogan/9780099585930]     TV show: ‘The Thick of It’ (2005 – 2012) - BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006qgrd/the-thick-of-it [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006qgrd/the-thick-of-it]     TV Show: ‘Veep’ (2012 – 2019) - HBO  https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/fundraiser/umc.cmc.ytcqma5k9ovyykhsnnm9asnk?showId=umc.cmc.5ir3dmyl42miy9h2gxvz551ql&action=playSmartEpisode [https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/fundraiser/umc.cmc.ytcqma5k9ovyykhsnnm9asnk?showId=umc.cmc.5ir3dmyl42miy9h2gxvz551ql&action=playSmartEpisode]     TV Show: ‘Blankety Blank’ (1979 – 1990) - BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0010b7c/blankety-blank [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0010b7c/blankety-blank]   Les Dawson playing piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nNGlaiVypU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nNGlaiVypU]    TV Show: ‘Spitting Image’ (1984 – 1996)  - ITV  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086807/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086807/]     TV Show: ‘Blackadder’ (1983 - 1989) - ITV   https://www.itv.com/watch/blackadder/2a7295 [https://www.itv.com/watch/blackadder/2a7295]     TV Show: ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ (1979 – 1982) - BBC    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080253/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080253/]     TV Show: ‘The Trip’ (2010 - 2020) - BBC   https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b04v5fy3/the-trip [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b04v5fy3/the-trip]     TV Show: ‘When Louis met...’ [Jimmy Savile Episode] (2000 – 2002) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0g3zjn9/when-louis-met-series-1-jimmy-savile [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0g3zjn9/when-louis-met-series-1-jimmy-savile]     Louis Theroux: Savile (2016) - BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07yc9zh [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07yc9zh]     Jimmy Savile & Steve Coogan 1989 clip:   https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/celebrity/steve-coogan-jimmy-savile-impression-201622-20231021 [https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/celebrity/steve-coogan-jimmy-savile-impression-201622-20231021]     Book: In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile, Dan Davies (2015) https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/in-plain-sight-book-dan-davies-9781782067467 [https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/in-plain-sight-book-dan-davies-9781782067467]     TV Show: Des (2020) - ITV  https://www.itv.com/watch/des/2a7844 [https://www.itv.com/watch/des/2a7844]     TV Show: ‘Appropriate Adult’ (2011) - ITV  https://www.itv.com/watch/appropriate-adult/1a6304 [https://www.itv.com/watch/appropriate-adult/1a6304]     TV Show: ‘Foyle’s War’ (2002 – 2015)  https://www.itv.com/watch/foyles-war/25410 [https://www.itv.com/watch/foyles-war/25410]     A Beautiful Mind (2002)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/a-beautiful-mind/umc.cmc.2iqk0c0jh9ocfk2jtv2yda0k1?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/a-beautiful-mind/umc.cmc.2iqk0c0jh9ocfk2jtv2yda0k1?action=play] 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   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Louis returns with another season of his chart-topping podcast! Join him on Tuesdays, from October 7th, as he offers up a plentiful cornucopia of starry guests. Watch exclusively on Spotify, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuMnPl2WI4]    TV Show: Arrested Development (2004-2019) - Fox/Netflix  https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358 [https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358]    TV Show: The Office (2001-2003) - BBC   https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office]    TV Show: The Grubbs (2002) - Fox  https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK [https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK]    Film: Superbad (2007)  https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023 [https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023]    Advert: ‘Pillsbury Doughboy Commercial’   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I]    Film: Year One (2009)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU]    Film: Ghostbusters (1984)  https://www.netflix.com/title/541018 [https://www.netflix.com/title/541018]    Film: A Minecraft Movie (2025)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I]    Film: Anora (2024)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c]    Film: Funny Games (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-70W_K77U [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18X_kyHW3G0]    Film: White Ribbon (2009) - dir. Michael Haneke  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY]    Film: The Castle (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke  https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hsui0 [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 [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F7SkR8yew]    Film: Claire’s Camera (2017) - dir. Hong Sang-soo   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-C5L0TupE [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 [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/my-man-jeremy]    Short Story: ‘Pinecone’ - Michael Cera   https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/mcsweeneys-issue-30 [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGIHjc6C_Q]    Film: Barbie (2023)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM]    TV Show: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) - Channel 4  https://www.channel4.com/programmes/garth-marenghis-darkplace [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4]    Film: This Is The End (2013)   https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796 [https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796]    Documentary: Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail (2011) - BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx]    Film: Rushmore (1998) - dir. Wes Anderson  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8]    Film: A Clockwork Orange (1971) - dir. Stanley Kubrick   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T54uZPI4Z8A&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD [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 [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 [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 [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]