S6 EP2: Michael Palin discusses Monty Python dynamics, famous fans, and ‘Life of Brian’ controversies
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
TV Show Episode: Whicker’s World from ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ (1972) - BBC
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
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)
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
TV Show: ‘Ripping Yarns’ (1976 -1979) - BBC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075568/
TV Special: ‘Beyond the Fringe’ (1964) - BBC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138957/
TV Show: ‘Q5’ (1969 –1980) - BBC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063944/
Terry Gilliam’s animations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47mB_UymAIc
Fish slapping dance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E
TV Show Episode: ‘Whither Canada?’ (1969)
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
Album: Monty Python’s Previous Record https://open.spotify.com/album/1GkvGswqHgUyMb5kIlGU2R
Sketch: Argument
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDB5gbtaEQ
Sketch: Dead/Resting Parrot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZw35VUBdzo
TV Show: ‘Fawlty Towers’ (1975-1979) - BBC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072500/
Sketch: The Ministry of Silly Walks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2ViNJFZC8
Book: North Korea Journal, Michael Palin (2019)
https://www.themichaelpalin.com/north-korea-journal/
TV Show: ‘Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime’ (2020) - BBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1SddawMoz8
Life of Brian Debate with Malcolm Muggeridge (1979) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/cyxe9180z84o
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
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
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:22:49
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1:22:49
S6 EP1: Steve Coogan on falling out of love with Alan Partridge, playing Jimmy Savile, and sobriety
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
TV Show: ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’ (1994 - 1995) - BBC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108828/
TV Show: ‘I’m Alan Partridge' (1997 – 2002) - BBC
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
Philomena (2013)
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
TV Show: ‘How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)’ (upcoming show) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hcbk
Book: Easily Distracted, Steve Coogan (2015)
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
TV Show: ‘Veep’ (2012 – 2019) - HBO
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
Les Dawson playing piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nNGlaiVypU
TV Show: ‘Spitting Image’ (1984 – 1996) - ITV
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086807/
TV Show: ‘Blackadder’ (1983 - 1989) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/blackadder/2a7295
TV Show: ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ (1979 – 1982) - BBC
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080253/
TV Show: ‘The Trip’ (2010 - 2020) - BBC
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
Louis Theroux: Savile (2016) - BBC
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
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
TV Show: Des (2020) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/des/2a7844
TV Show: ‘Appropriate Adult’ (2011) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/appropriate-adult/1a6304
TV Show: ‘Foyle’s War’ (2002 – 2015)
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
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:13:47
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1:13:47
Season 6 incoming...
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
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1:16
S5 EP8: Michael Cera on working with Tom Cruise, featuring in 'Barbie', and never graduating
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
TV Show: Arrested Development (2004-2019) - Fox/Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/title/70140358
TV Show: The Office (2001-2003) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00jd68z/the-office
TV Show: The Grubbs (2002) - Fox
https://youtu.be/knwPbzLWCNQ?si=9d10SEXncfPkrdaK
Film: Superbad (2007)
https://www.netflix.com/title/70058023
Advert: ‘Pillsbury Doughboy Commercial’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDEYPbfWY6I
Film: Year One (2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H_Eepvg3aU
Film: Ghostbusters (1984)
https://www.netflix.com/title/541018
Film: A Minecraft Movie (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO_vIDZn-I
Film: Anora (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HxTmV5i7c
Film: Funny Games (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke
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
Film: White Ribbon (2009) - dir. Michael Haneke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOXs8KEiDY
Film: The Castle (1997) - dir. Michael Haneke
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
Film: Yourself and Yours (2016) - dir. Hong Sang-soo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F7SkR8yew
Film: Claire’s Camera (2017) - dir. Hong Sang-soo
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
Short Story: ‘Pinecone’ - Michael Cera
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
Film: Barbie (2023)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM
TV Show: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004) - Channel 4
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
Film: This Is The End (2013)
https://www.netflix.com/title/70264796
Documentary: Louis Theroux: Miami Mega Jail (2011) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011k0xx
Film: Rushmore (1998) - dir. Wes Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVdXXG3KN8
Film: A Clockwork Orange (1971) - dir. Stanley Kubrick
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
Film: Bottle Rocket (1996) - dir. Wes Anderson
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1:19:34
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1:19:34
S5 EP7: Danny Dyer describes battling addiction, UFO obsessions, and tackling Shakespeare
This week, Louis sits down with Danny Dyer, the Bafta-winning actor and all-round national treasure. The pair discuss Danny’s experience battling addiction while performing on stage, their shared fascination with UFOs, and whether Danny would ever do Shakespeare. Plus, Danny reveals what he really thinks about being described as ‘the people’s Louis Theroux’.
Links/Attachments:
Via – UK Drug and Alcohol Addiction Charity
https://www.viaorg.uk/
TV Show: ‘Who Do You Think You Are? (2007 – Present) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t575
Book: Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel (2009)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Hall-Shortlisted-Golden-Booker/dp/0007230206
TV Show: ‘Wolf Hall’ (2015) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02gfy74/wolf-hall-series-1-1-three-card-trick
Loving (1995)
https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/loving/umc.cmc.46n84c1skr7ogikets6qczv2v
Play: Hamlet, William Shakespeare (~1600)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamlet-William-Shakespeare/dp/1853260096
Human Traffic (1999)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPK6ZYq_p0
The Football Factory (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzuEkF1oLVE
Goodbye Charlie Bright (2001)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217824/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Business (2001)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVZX9I6y97k
Book: The Football Factory, John King (1997)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Football-Factory-John-King/dp/0099731916
Article in shortlist 2017: https://www.shortlist.com/news/danny-dyers-deadliest-men-louis-theroux-documentary-tv
TV Show: ‘Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men’ (2008-2009) - Bravo
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2288499/
TV Show: ‘Big Brother’ (2000 – Present) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/big-brother/10a4928
‘What a touch! Danny Dyer wins Male Performance in a Comedy for Mr Bigstuff | BAFTA TV Awards’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XQLYDZeYVg
TV Show: ‘Mr Bigstuff’ (2024) - Sky Max
https://www.sky.com/watch/mr-bigstuff
TV Show: ‘Plebs’ (2012 – 2019) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/plebs/2a1873
TV Show: ‘Rivals’ (2024) - Disney Plus
https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-97399b9f-964e-444c-91f3-7db9f11efe5d
I Believe in UFOs: Danny Dyer (2010)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7008276/
TV Episode: ‘Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends: UFOs’ (1998)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00hf8tg
TV Show: ‘Prime Suspect’ (1991 – 2006) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/prime-suspect/1a1685
TV Show: ‘Cracker’ (1993 – 1996) - ITV
https://www.itv.com/watch/cracker/1a1918
Three Quick Breaths (upcoming film)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35566934/
TV Show: ‘Eastenders’ (1985 – Present) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006m86d/eastenders
Podcast: ‘Desert Island Discs: Danny Dyer’ - BBC Sounds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002c2hw
Play: Celebration, Harold Pinter (2000)
http://www.haroldpinter.org/plays/plays_celebration.shtml
Play: The Dumb Waiter, Harold Pinter (1957)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dumb-Waiter-Play-Acting-One/dp/0573042101
Play: The Caretaker, Harold Pinter (1960)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caretaker-Play-Harold-Pinter/dp/0573040028
Play: The Birthday Party, Harold Pinter (1958)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birthday-Party-Pinter-Plays/dp/0571160786
Play: The Room, Harold Pinter (1957)
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/room-book-harold-pinter-9780573022364
Credits:
Producer: Millie Chu
Assistant Producer: Artemis Irvine
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Music: Miguel D’Oliveira
Audio Mixer: Tom Guest
Video Mixer: Scott Edwards
Shownotes compiled by Immie Webb
Executive Producer: Arron Fellows
A Mindhouse Production for Spotify
www.mindhouse.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Join Louis Theroux as he embarks on a series of in-depth and freewheeling conversations with a curated collection of fascinating figures from across the globe. The Louis Theroux Podcast is a Spotify podcast from Mindhouse, now available everywhere.
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