4 February 2007, BBC2
Last weekend saw the overdue return of affable documentarian Louis Theroux, with a look at glitzy Las Vegas; that oasis of greed in the Nevada desert. It may have been expertly timed to coincide with the launch of Britain's first super casino in Manchester, but I'm not sure it revealed much we didn't know already...
Louis has been doing this sort of thing for years now, first making a name for himself in 1999s Weird Weekends; giving a voice to Neo Nazis, porn stars, racists, survivalists, swingers, etc. It wasn't long before he started befriending kitsch celebrities in When Louis Met... Jimmy Saville, Chris Eubank, Neil and Christine Hamilton, Paul Daniels, Keith Harris, etc, in an amusing and revealing insight into eccentric celebs.
Gambling In Las Vegas was Louis' first TV project since 2003. Even after a three-year absence, he remains a brilliant neutral observer of society's outskirts, able to win the trust of his subjects by employing child-like naivety. Is there anybody else who can say so much by saying so little? Las Vegas treated us to a few patented Louis stares that would make Medusa proud, imparting both sympathy and disappointment with punishing silence.
To be honest, Gambling In Las Vegas didn't reveal much we didn't already know, or expect, about the gambling capital of the world. You see, it turns out gambling is an addictive passtime that preys on the weak-willed, who da thunk it, hm!?
Most of Louis' subjects seemed to have limitless funds, happy to fritter away thousands on random games of chance. When high-rolling Toronto businessman Alan eventually walked away $300,000 lighter, he probably thought it was worthwhile just for the earlier thrill of winning $500 on a slot-machine.
But even Alan's loss was negligible compared to Martha's, an old lady spending her retirement chain-smoking and playing one-armed bandits. The deluded old dear's lost $4 million in 7 years. To cap it all, she seemed genuinely pleased that her late husband's memorial service was held at the casino, as it was "free of charge", saying: "It was the most beautiful thing you ever saw in your life. It didn't cost me one penny". Oh, those generous casinos...
As Louis pointed out, her middle-aged son's inheritance is taking quite a battering because of her habit, but she's blinkered into wasting the family fortune on the hope of a jackpot win. Her son seemed resigned to the situation, although I hope for his sake he smuggles some of his dotty mum's fortune away somewhere.
One intriguing aspect focused on employees of the Hilton, who act as Hosts to the richest players. Their job: to make sure these suckers spend as much time as possible at the tables. One such man, Richard Wilk, admitted that if a client hit a disastrous losing streak, his conscience would only spread to suggesting a meal break.
I'm sure Louis and his team were disappointed by the lack of tragic tales to be found on The Strip. People generally seemed aware of the pitfalls to gambling, but unable to stop themselves. Perhaps Louis shouldn't have targeted millionaires with money to burn. We never got a clear sense of each subject's wealth, so it's possible they were philosophical on-camera while contemplating suicide behind closed doors... but that's all conjecture. Regardless, I have little sympathy for fat cats shovelling hundred dollar bills into slot-machines at a rate of knots.
There were a few moments that showed everyday tourists, drawn to Vegas for the thrill of living out their fantasy. In one telling moment, a gambler was reminded it was 5:30 in the morning, only for him to insist he'd be staying up for a few more hours in a zombified tone.
Las Vegas eventually culminated with Louis' own gambling experience. Armed with three grand of his own cash, Louis tagged along with "Dan The Man" at a baccarat table. He won, leaving with $4,500 and a wide grin on his face. It's easy to be derogatory and superior about gambling addicts... but just wait until you're playing and winning yourself, eh?
Louis ended the show by deciding we're the "willing victims" of casinos, persuaded to play, but hardly arm-twisted. Many of the players have travelled thousands of miles to try their luck -- nobody forces them to come. I guess some of us just know when to quit and go home...
While Louis Theroux's Las Vegas adventure didn't surprise or challenge my perceptions of that vacuous place, his friendly style, affable nature, open questioning and muted stares pricked enough holes in those involved to make it worthwhile. The overall message was mixed, but it was entertaining to see unfold.
Not as jackpot, but worth a punt.
