After much anticipation, the man who helped put “Chicken Shop Date” on the map is back for more chicken! Here are our favorite moments from “Hot Ones” with Louis Theroux.
Chicken Strips
Off the bat, viewers will notice that Theroux’s version of “The Wings of Death” includes no bone. In place of a drum or flat, Theroux opts for a classic tender. Personal preference or a nod to his “Chicken Shop Date”.
He enjoys the strips so much that by wing four, he realizes that he was not required to eat multiple bites of the wing.
Polyamory and Porn
Host Sean Evans asks which lifestyle that he has researched that was ultimately wooed by.
The first to come to mind was polyamory, which he explored in the first episode of “Altered States,” his documentary series.
In “Altered States—Love Without Limits,” Theroux visits Portland, Oregon to meet and learn from polyamorous couples.
Citing studies that claim humans could live up to 300 years old, Theroux claims “monogamy seems weirder.” Consensual nonmonogamy actually makes a lot of sense to him.
“Except for the sexual jealousy part would make my head explode.”
This may come as a surprise but the award-winning documentarian is not known for conservatism. He recounts one of his most embarrassing moments in his career was in the late 90s. To get on the books of porn director Jim South, he stripped away his drawers for a porn. He says they asked him to “stand naked and just wiggle it around.” He really wanted to get his polaroid photo taken for the story, but when asked to “do more,” Theroux decided “I have my limits.”
Of all the wild adventures, this seems to be “part of the job, I guess.”
“Jiggle Jiggle” Rap
Many will remember one of the biggest TikTok moments of 2022 was the Louis Theroux “Jiggle Jiggle” rap. Accompanied by a little dance, the clip of the BAFTA-winning journalist quickly spiraled into infamy, leading to a single . When asked about the virality of his famous “Jiggle Jiggle” rap, Theroux explains he simply “does not get it.”
The clip he is referring to is in reference to an episode of “Weird Weekend” for BBC Two. In the episode, Theroux travels to Jackson, Miss. to visit Master P. who he jokingly raps the first line with. He later finishing it off with Jackson-based rap duo, Reese & Bigalow. Long dormant, the episode became popular after the series was released on Netflix UK.
The song was highlighted and popularized by “Chicken Shop Date” host, Amelia Dimoldenberg who asked Theroux about the song. Thanks to the talents of Jess Qualter and Brooke Blewitt, the song went viral, popping up on all corners of the internet.
@jessqualtermy money don’t jiggle jiggle.♬ Jiggle Jiggle – Duke & Jones & Louis Theroux
“It still doesn’t really explain why it caught on” He explains that the hit was not intentional, but that doesn’t deter from his excitement at virality.
He wonders, “What about a Christmas hit?”
We’ll be waiting for the sequel: “My Bells Don’t Jingle Jingle”
Documentary Recommendations
After the ninth wing, host Sean Evans then asks the legendary documentarian to offer some of his favorite docs. His list includes:
“Thin Blue Line,” dir. Harold Morris
This true crime documentary chronicles the conviction of shooter Randall Dale Adams for the 1976 murder of a Dallas police officer.
Theroux describes the film as “pure,” and cites it as an inspirational film that “got me interested in documentary making.”
This film is available to stream on Tubi.
“Roger & Me,” dir. Michael Moore
The film follows Moore as he investigates the sudden closing of a General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan. His ultimate goal is to track down General Motors CEO, Roger Smith, to give reason to this closure.
Theroux remembers Moore as a mentor to him, saying the film is “first-person storytelling” that discussed “social issues in a quirky way.”
This film is available to stream on Max.
“Exit Through The Gift Shop,” dir. Banksy
“Exit Through The Gift Shop” contains footage by and follows Thierry Guetta, also known as “Mr. Brainwash.” Directed by the elusive British street artist Banksy, this film explores street art and self promotion through various underground artists.
The film is available to stream on YouTube.
“The Act of Killing,” dir. Joshua Oppenheimer
This film exposes the mass executions of almost a million accused communist in 1965 Indonesia. Through Oppenheimer’s work, we meet Anwar, one of the country’s “heroes,” and gain insight on the “act of killing” from his perspective as he produces and directs reenactments of his infamous murders.
It is a notably “dark movie” but Theroux appreciates most how “[Oppenheimer] approaches them as if they are to be celebrated to reenact what they did.” As the film progresses, “they start to get some insight into what they did.”
The film is available to stream on FreeVee by Prime.
Good Journalism
In the age of yet another “The Kardashians” series and a “Beckham” documentary, the weight of the documentary has been tested. Host Sean Evans asks the journalist how he feels about documentaries commissioned by and produced by their subjects. His answer?
“Ethically, it’s a bit more complicated. If I’m enjoying what I’m watching, I’m a happy man.”
The complications may incite more crime, as he jokingly puts it: “They amy think ‘If I just kill one more person, I’ll get my Netflix deal.’”
This brings up a fair point about the ethics of modern documentary filmmaking and the blurred lines between notable celebrities and the everyday person.Theroux later delves into the ethics around giving subjects platforms.
He tells the Hot Ones host, “good journalism is not necessarily a platform.”
He explains that giving this space to groups like neo-nazis and religious cults is important in discussing and being aware of these problematic ideas. He warns that whereas in the past indoctrination was a multi-stepped, covert task, now “lone actors […] have social media accounts and they have real reach.”
However, Theroux warns against shutting out problematic figures in fear of their words.
“That doesn’t mean don’t speak to them. I think it means it’s all the more important to speak to them but with a sort of sense of intelligence and accountability.”
If remaining curious with good intent and a strong moral compass has worked for Justin Theroux, maybe we should be taking notes.
