I've always seen TV as... it didn't occupy the same rarefied space as literature, but it's art you can use day to day. I've never been hung up on where it figures in the hierarchy of learning.

Louis Theroux’s quote reflects his perspective on television as a form of art that is accessible and practical, contrasting it with more traditional and prestigious forms of art like literature. Theroux suggests that television may not occupy the same "rarefied space" as written works, which are often seen as more intellectually rigorous, but he views TV as a medium with its own unique value. He appreciates its immediacy and relevance in everyday life, making it an art form that people engage with frequently and personally.

Theroux’s statement also reveals his non-elitist attitude toward art and learning. Rather than placing television on a lower rung of the hierarchy of learning, he acknowledges that it offers important cultural and social insights that can be as impactful as more traditionally revered forms of expression. This suggests that he does not feel the need to defend or justify TV’s place in the world of art, as he values it for its utility and wide-reaching influence.

As a documentary filmmaker and television presenter, Theroux has spent his career exploring a wide variety of human experiences through the lens of TV documentaries. His work has often blurred the lines between entertainment and education, and his quote reflects this approach. He doesn’t see television as merely a passive form of entertainment, but rather as a tool that can be used to provoke thought, engage audiences, and spark discussions on complex topics.

By saying that he’s "never been hung up" on the medium's status in the hierarchy of learning, Theroux suggests that he prioritizes the impact and relevance of the content over the traditional classification of different forms of media. He sees television as an effective tool for communicating ideas and fostering understanding, regardless of how it is ranked in the broader cultural landscape.