Surviving America's Most Hated Family

Surviving America's Most Hated Family is a 2019 BBC documentary film presented and written by Louis Theroux. The programme follows as Theroux revisits the family at the core of the Westboro Baptist Church and observes how its members have changed since the death of the church's founder, Fred Phelps. The documentary first aired on BBC Two in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2019, and is the third in a trilogy of documentaries Theroux has made about the church. It was preceded by 2007's The Most Hated Family in America, and 2011's America's Most Hated Family in Crisis.[1][2][3]

Surviving America's Most Hated Family
GenreDocumentary film
Written byLouis Theroux
Directed byGeoffrey O'Connor
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)English
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Arron Fellows
  • Peter Dale
Producer(s)Geoffrey O'Connor
Production location(s)United States
Editor(s)Alex Muggleton
Running time60 minutes
Production company(s)BBC Studios
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release14 July 2019 (2019-07-14)
Chronology
Related shows
External links
Website

While the first two documentaries focused on the controversial doctrine, cult-like atmosphere and extensive protest activities of the church, the third documentary concerns itself primarily with the lives of former members. It also covers the impact of the death of lead Pastor Fred Phelps on the church, as well as his rumored death-bed excommunication for softening his anti-homosexual rhetoric.[4] Megan Phelps's defection from the church, from devoted follower to critic, as well as her attempts to stay in contact with her family (in particular with her mother Shirley) is covered in detail.[5] Theroux also notes an odd phenomenon where his previous critical documentaries inspired two young men, UK ex-pat Steven Holroyd and a young American called 'J', to join the church. Steven, who is now known as Mathias and is a former mailman, flew over to Topeka and married Pastor Phelps' granddaughter Jael Phelps after becoming interested in the church after watching Theroux's previous films air on BBC. Steven had previously released a video online in which he stated his main reason for leaving the UK was its approval of Elton John's gay lifestyle and the lack of King James Only churches.[6][7]

Reception

Surviving America's Most Hated Family garnered a mixed-to-positive reception from critics. Gerard O'Donovan of The Telegraph gave it two out of five stars, deeming it "a rare misstep from this normally pin-sharp documentarian." [2] Brian Donaldson of The List gave the special three out of five stars, calling it "a road to nowhere." [8] Conversely, Lucy Mangan of The Guardian rated it four out of five stars, while admitting it was "a deeply uncomfortable watch." [1]

Both O'Donovan and Mangan accused the documentary of veering into exploitation. O'Donovan wrote, "Theroux went wrong, withholding some potentially distressing news from (Megan Phelps-Roper) until a moment of maximum emotional impact, and lingering long on her shocked and tearful reaction." Mangan agreed, saying "It is profoundly uncomfortable to watch and, for me, errs firmly on the side of exploitation – which is not, generally, Theroux’s stock-in-trade." [2][1] Phelps-Roper personally defended Louis' decision to reveal this information in this manner, stating in a Twitter post that she knows her family will watch the documentary and will see how devastated she was.[9]

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References
  1. Mangan, Lucy (14 July 2019). "Louis Theroux: Surviving America's Most Hated Family review – a deeply uncomfortable watch". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  2. O'Donovan, Gerard (14 July 2019). "Louis Theroux: Surviving America's Most Hated Family, review: a rare misstep from this normally pin-sharp documentarian". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  3. Powell, Emma (14 July 2019). "Louis Theroux returning to 'America's Most Hated Family' for new Westboro Baptist Church documentary". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  4. "Louis Theroux: Surviving America's Most Hated Family returns to BBC 2 tonight - here's what's in store". www.sunderlandecho.com. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  5. Kopotsha, Jazmin. "Louis Theroux Doc Finds Hope In Life After The Toxic Westboro Baptist Church". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  6. "Louis Theroux unveils man from Bradford marries into America's Most Hated Family". Metro. 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  7. Jael at Westboro Baptist Church (2017-03-23), Westboro Baptist Church's Member from the UK to Fellow Brits: REPENT!, retrieved 2019-07-22
  8. Donaldson, Brian. "TV review: Louis Theroux: Surviving America's Most Hated Family, BBC Two (3 stars)". www.list.co.uk. The List. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  9. Phelps-Roper, Megan (2019-07-14). "There are many examples, but in this case, Louis's choice to tell me this on camera doesn't just make for a dramatic scene. He's showing my family—who have cut me out of their lives, but who will surely watch this documentary—my candid reaction to this news". @meganphelps. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
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