S6 EP8: Jimmy Carr discusses the secret to his comedy, being a late bloomer, and controversial stand-up gigs
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Tuesday, 16 December 2025 - 1 hour 16 minutes
For this Christmas bonus episode, Louis sits down with writer, comedian, and panel-show super-host, Jimmy Carr. Jimmy discusses what lies behind his unique brand of ‘edgy' comedy, why he remained a virgin until the age of 26 and performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival despite public criticism.
Jimmy’s film, ‘Fackham Hall’, is out in cinemas now.
Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.
Links/Attachments:
Book: Before & Laughter, Jimmy Carr (2021)
https://www.jimmycarr.com/product/book-laughter/
Fackham Hall (2025)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29008225/
Jimmy Carr Tour
https://www.jimmycarr.com/tour/uk-ireland/
Alex Hormozi quote:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzTPjPTZB0/
Book: Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/203913/homo-ludens-by-johan-huizinga/
Peter McGraw’s Benign Violations
https://petermcgraw.org/a-brief-introduction-to-the-benign-violation-theory-of-humor/
Book: Discipline and Punish, Michel Foucault (1975)
Bob Monkhouse joke about cancer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTUvRW7gtGU
Jimmy Carr: His Dark Material (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16259786/
Nadine Dorries’ comment about Jimmy Carr joke:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/nadine-dorries-jimmy-carr-netflix-jewish-roma-b2008317.html
Jimmy Carr’s joke about injured soldiers:
Saint Lawrence, the patron Saint of comedy:
https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/08/10/st-lawrence-patron-saint-of-comedians
TV Show: ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/
Dave Chappelle quote:
TV Show: ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’ (1958-1978)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0198065/
TV Show: ‘The Young Ones’ (1982-1984)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083505/
Titania McGrath quote:
https://x.com/TitaniaMcGrath/status/1453065592651517964
Musical: We Will Rock You, Ben Elton (2002)
https://wewillrockyoulondon.co.uk/
John Betjeman’s Slough poem:
https://allpoetry.com/poem/8493391-Slough-by-Sir-John-Betjeman
TV Show: ‘The Office’ (2001-2003)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290978/
Naval Ravikant
TV Show: 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (2012 – 2025)
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/8-out-of-10-cats-does-countdown
The Fog of War (2004)
https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-fog-of-war/umc.cmc.3j815y9s5id2nvfztrlfh75il?action=play
Eric Weinstein’s Intellectual Dark Web
https://www.whatisemerging.com/videos/inside-the-intellectual-dark-web-eric-weinstein
Hillary Clinton’s ‘deplorable’ speech:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37330420
Jordan Peterson on compelled speech
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37875695
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
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