Why does HS keep bringing up Louis Theroux & Jimmy Savile? Truth behind Manosphere claim

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In his documentary, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, Harrison Sullivan – known online as HSTikkyTokky – stated that Theroux and Jimmy Savile were “good friends.” This claim gained traction on social media, but it didn’t include important details that provided a fuller picture.

Louis Theroux is known for tackling difficult and sensitive subjects, and for interviewing the people involved. For example, in his 2003 documentary, Louis and the Nazis, he spent time with Tom Metzger, a well-known racist.

Louis Theroux is best known for his documentaries, especially the series he did over twelve years following the controversial Phelps family, often called the most disliked family in the United States. Now, he’s focusing on a new subject: the world of male influencers that has emerged since Andrew Tate’s rise to prominence.

In the new Netflix documentary, Louis Theroux interviews people who create “Red Pill” content online. He speaks with creators like HSTikkyTokky, who streams live and, according to Theroux, intentionally tries to provoke reactions from his audience.

Why does HS keep bringing up Louis Theroux & Jimmy Savile?

HS frequently brings up Jimmy Savile during his livestreams as a way to get a reaction, falsely implying Louis Theroux was close to the convicted sex offender. This claim actually comes from Theroux’s previous documentaries where he interviewed Savile.

Theroux tries to emphasize that he contributed to exposing Savile while he was still alive, but this point gets lost in the moment. The Netflix documentary shows how HS and his team interrupt the conversation to create clips for social media, aiming to provoke strong reactions and boost engagement from his audience.

The topic first appeared in a livestream on HS’s channel, where a viewer mentioned Louis had been close to Jimmy Savile. HS replied that he had actually played a role in exposing Savile during his lifetime.

However, HS doesn’t seem to care about this, and instead breaks the stream down into short, attention-grabbing clips for his social media, using catchy titles to get more views.

The subject came up once more during Theroux’s final live interview with HS. Theroux called it HS’s “grand finale,” explaining that online commenters seemed to be controlling the conversation by submitting questions that directed HS’s responses.

Theroux mentioned HS’s upcoming court case, and HS was later arrested and given a one-year suspended sentence for reckless driving. This seemed to upset both HS and his mother, Elaine Sullivan, who then changed the subject and began talking about Theroux instead.

So, Louis Theroux was talking about Jimmy Savile, actually calling him a “good mate” a bunch of times, which was already weird. Then he said some guys in the manosphere – that online world of guys talking about masculinity – were giving him the same creepy vibes as Savile. Honestly, I totally zoned out after that. It was just…a lot.

Was Louis Theroux friends with Jimmy Savile?

Louis Theroux’s link to Jimmy Savile stems from his career making documentaries. In 2005, he created a BBC documentary called When Louis Met Jimmy, filming Savile for three months – well before the extent of Savile’s abuse was revealed.

While filming, Theroux did ask Savile about the rumors circulating, but he couldn’t discover the full truth about what was really going on. Back then, Savile was still famous as a popular TV personality known for his charity work and as a DJ.

Police didn’t begin formally investigating allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile until after his death in 2011. The allegations included abuse of hundreds of people, some of whom were children.

Following the revelation of the crimes, Theroux explored the case further in his 2016 documentary, Savile. The film investigated how the presenter had successfully concealed his actions for so many years. Beyond sharing the stories of those who survived, Theroux also reflected on his own past trust in Savile and how he hadn’t seen the signs.

In a 2019 interview with Desert Island Discs, he explained that he wanted to understand where he’d gone wrong. He felt a need to reflect on his life, both personally and professionally, and to speak directly with those who had been affected by his mistakes to hear about their experiences.

Theroux explained the unsettling experience of learning about Savile’s terrible actions, especially because he’d previously found Savile to be a likable figure, and the difficulty of reconciling those two opposing views.

He later said he’d sensed something was off about Savile’s personal life, but he never suspected the extent of it. Theroux explained that he’d kept in touch with Savile after making their initial television program together.

I’m still proud of the first program I created, but I often wonder how I managed to see the person it was about in a positive light for a while afterward. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot.

Theroux explained that making documentaries has given him a greater awareness of the complex nature of abuse, and how often it takes survivors a long time to recognize what they’ve experienced.

It’s a common misconception that people immediately recognize abuse when it’s happening. In reality, it’s rarely that clear. He explained that he had to learn this lesson himself, and now brings that understanding to both his professional life and how he interacts with others.

Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere highlights rage-baiting culture 

The documentary consistently demonstrates that livestreaming often prioritizes creating controversy over having meaningful conversations. It shows how provocative questions are used to get reactions and create short, shareable clips for social media.

It’s the same story when the conversation gets to tricky stuff, like when the host started asking Theroux about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Before he could really explain his thoughts, he got cut off, and honestly, it felt like it was just turned into a quick clip for the host’s social media. It didn’t feel like a real conversation, just content.

This interview is particularly significant considering Theroux’s long track record of tackling challenging topics in his documentaries, such as his two films focusing on Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

In 2010, Louis Theroux created a documentary called The Ultra Zionists, which explored the beliefs and actions of Israeli religious nationalists who believe they have a right to settle in Palestinian territories. He revisited this topic with a new film, The Settlers, after an increase in their activities during recent conflicts.

The 2025 film highlights that the settlements are considered illegal under international law, yet they continue to be supported by the Israeli military, police, and government. It also explores the violence and hardship Palestinians experience under the current government.

The documentary sparked controversy, with some people wanting it removed and others applauding Louis Theroux for addressing a difficult topic. In one notable scene, he questions Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the Israeli movement for over fifty years.

Theroux was remarkably direct in his recent exchange, even implying Weiss’s perspectives appeared “sociopathic.” He noted in a Guardian article that some found him unusually assertive, though he wasn’t sure if that was accurate. He believes the seriousness of the situation simply made the conversation more impactful.

Even though I’m proud of the film, it couldn’t fully show how difficult things are in the West Bank. The actual experiences of people being displaced and harassed are often much worse than what we were able to film.

But within the online world of the ‘manosphere,’ the careful detail in Theroux’s earlier work doesn’t matter much. This scene mainly serves as a short, shareable clip meant to get attention and spark discussion.

Theroux issues warning to parents after Netflix documentary

Theroux also interviews figures from the “Red Pill” online community—Myron Gaines, Sneako (Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy), Justin Waller, and Ed Matthews—to understand their controversial beliefs and how they appeal to young men and teenagers.

He’s now advising parents that this is a widespread issue. He told The Mirror that anyone with children, particularly boys, will recognize this trend is becoming increasingly common.

You can see their impact everywhere – in schools, at work, and online. From the very beginning of my work, I’ve been fascinated by what society considers off-limits and by people who hold beliefs very different from my own.

People involved in the manosphere often display an aggressive, overly masculine attitude that frequently includes prejudice against women, gay people, Jewish people, and people of color. These concerning patterns are something I’ve noticed and find noteworthy.

Theroux, as a parent, has thought a lot about how social media affects kids. He admits it’s worrying, and while it’s tempting to think they don’t take it all that seriously – which he often believes is true – it’s still something he considers carefully.

Eventually, something meant as a joke stops being funny, particularly if no one questions it and it keeps getting repeated. We try to keep up with what our kids are watching and talk to them about it, but it’s often difficult.

Theroux explained his strategy for interviewing figures within the manosphere, stating he doesn’t aim to humiliate or deceive them. Instead, he focuses on presenting the truth and addressing their views directly and respectfully.

I don’t want to argue, I simply want to understand their perspective, have my questions addressed, and then respectfully point out any issues or potential problems I see with their ideas.

Ultimately, I want to create TV shows that captivate viewers. A little drama – like exciting moments or tense situations – can really help achieve that.

You can now watch Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere on Netflix. If you’re interested in other documentaries, check out information on the Skylar Neese case, how to find Storyville: The Darkest Web, and what former America’s Next Top Model contestant Shandi Sullivan is up to now.

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2026-03-11 14:21