Ruby Wax, a comedian known for her fearless interviews and vibrant personality, harbors a decades-old resentment towards fellow broadcaster Louis Theroux. It’s a rivalry that has simmered beneath the surface, occasionally boiling over into surprisingly candid admissions.
The root of the tension lies in the perception that Theroux’s rise mirrored, and perhaps overshadowed, her own pioneering work in the world of unconventional interviewing. Wax first gained prominence in the 1990s with a popular BBC talk show, a format she felt Theroux later replicated with his own unique spin.
“Everything we did, he took,” Wax confessed in a 2019 podcast interview, a statement laced with lingering frustration. She admitted to experiencing a visceral reaction to his name, a testament to the depth of her feelings. Despite acknowledging a shift in her own career, a “little bit of anger” remained.
The parallel timelines of their careers – Wax’s show running from 1996-1998, and Theroux’s “Weird Weekends” launching in 1998 – fueled the perception of imitation. After her show ended, Wax felt the impact acutely, believing Theroux was directly affecting her livelihood and that of her children.
The situation became so fraught that Wax even forbade her children from uttering Theroux’s name. It was a dramatic gesture, born from years of feeling eclipsed and undervalued. She described him as her “nemesis,” a title revealing the intensity of her emotions.
In a surprising turn, Wax appeared on Theroux’s own podcast in 2020, attempting to clarify her feelings. She insisted her anger wasn’t directed at him personally, but at the perceived injustice of the situation – the envy, the feeling of failure, and the echoes of her father’s disapproval.
The constant comparisons from the public only exacerbated the issue. Wax recounted instances of taxi drivers asking if she “used to do what Louis Theroux did,” a question that stung with the implication that she had somehow faded into obscurity.
Now, as a contestant on a popular reality show, Wax is introducing herself to a new generation. While the possibility of new conflicts looms, she’s currently forging an unexpected connection with younger stars, even embracing their slang in a bid to bridge the generational gap.
Despite the years that have passed, the shadow of this professional rivalry continues to linger, a reminder of the competitive landscape of television and the enduring power of perceived slights.
