Louis Therouxis not comfortable with the disruptor moniker.
It has become a cliche; its definitely a cliche, he eventually says.
But then comes one of the pensive expressions Theroux is famed for.
Louis TherouxStian Lysberg Solumn/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
His eyes fixed behind black-rimmed glasses.
A man silently arguing with himself, jostling for clarity of thought.
Suddenly, a revelation.
Sex Actually with Alice LevineChannel 4
Maybe he is a disruptor after all or at least he once was.
I took elements of conventional presenting and elements of classical verite filmmaking and combined them.
Watch on Deadline
Theroux enjoys an almost unique status in the U.K.
Some even describe him as a national treasure.
Thats very big-headed of me, he says with a knowing smile.
How would he fare if he ran the Gary Lineker gauntlet?
Its always been more helpful for my work if my true opinions are kept slightly ambiguous, he says.
He recently filmed with Nick Fuentes, a leading figure in Americas white nationalist far-right movement.
Does Theroux believe that people are less tolerant of those they disagree with?
His response is carefully worded.
There are people who are censorious, quick to judge, and overly sensitive.
However, Theroux acknowledges that certain subjects have become increasingly complicated to discuss.
Ive always valued the parts of my shows that feel real and unexpected, he says.
The interview podcast is titledRylan: How to Be a Manand features guest including comedian Phil Wang.
Theroux interviewed Clark and says he is an exceptional broadcaster.
Hes like warm maple syrup being drizzled into your ear, he laughs.
Theroux clasps for a piece of paper featuring what seems to be prompts for our interview.
He is also developing projects with Netflix and A24, though is reluctant to reveal any further details.
Scripted is another area of interest for the company.
Getting a drama away would be a full-circle moment for Theroux, who wrote TV scripts as a child.
Is there too much television?
It feels like theres been a thinning of the herd, he says.
It seemed to me that there was a tipping point when CNN+ broke down its data.
What was the last thing he watched that blew his mind?
ProbablyWatchmen, the Damon Lindelof series on HBO, he says.
Theres a mention forWhite Lotustoo.
I like really good television.
I mean, Ill watch crap television too.
But I prefer to watch TV that is outstandingly creative and interesting.
The conversation points us back to the BBC, which he says is embattled by the big streaming services.
If you look at the TV landscape in America, its very far from ideal, he says.
You miss that sense of the calm, center-ground voice.
