Louis Theroux Interviews Joan Collins, BBC Two, review: like the Dame herself, this was a hoot

Do you know why Dame Joan Collins is so widely recognized? Although she played the role of Alexis Carrington exceedingly well in Dynasty and became a beloved television star, she didn't achieve the same level of success in movies as Elizabeth Taylor, who was frequently compared to her.

During an episode of Louis Theroux Interviews... featuring Joan Collins on BBC Two, Theroux contemplated on the subject and ultimately provided an insight. He suggested that her public persona and authentic self have been her most prominent assets, as they are largely influenced by her unique personality and traits that define her as Joan Collins.

Theroux talked about Joan Collins-ness, which means having the ability to fully embrace being a celebrity. Collins embodies this trait and stands out in an era where celebrities complain about the negative aspects of fame. It's hard to understand the point of being famous if you don't live an extravagant life. Collins lives like a true star, always dressed impeccably and adding a bit of glamour to every sentence ("I was casually relaxing with Kirk Douglas on his yacht, as one does…").

Theroux visited Collins at her beautiful house in St Tropez during a very hot day. Collins didn't act like a diva, like Alexis would, but when she asked for something, it was clear that she expected it to be done quickly. She asked a man to bring her some ice, and he promptly left the room to get it. Theroux jokingly reminded her that the man was actually his director, but Collins didn't seem to mind and just purred in response.

They went out for lunch and were accompanied by Collins' husband, Percy. They chose a place that Frank Sinatra would have liked. Previously, interviews made it seem like Percy was submissive, but this was not the case. Theroux correctly stated that the reason for their successful marriage is their complementary personalities - her timeless beauty and talent, and his sense of humor and ability to handle situations calmly. Theroux also had some playful questions for Collins, asking who the second best lover she has ever had was.

Collins discussed her professional journey in the entertainment industry, including her work in movies, television, and bestselling literature. She also mentioned her past marital relationships. She briefly mentioned negative experiences, with the most distressing one being the incident where she was drugged and sexually assaulted by her former husband, actor Maxwell Reed. However, Collins prefers not to focus on the negative aspects of life and maintains an old-fashioned attitude.

Theroux's interviews don't aim to extract a surprising statement or a catchy quote for the media. Rather, they provide an insight into what it feels like to spend time with a well-known individual. Although there were no shocking disclosures in this interview with Dame Joan, it was as engaging as the renowned actress herself.

Last week, you had a totally different experience compared to the current one. During your interview with Pete Doherty, you were worried about his well-being and feared he might not complete the program without collapsing. However, when you met Joan Collins, who is currently 90 years old but looks much younger, she had a lot of energy. She was looking stylish and walking around St Tropez. She even joked that she has no plans of retiring and asked who would take care of her. When Theroux mentioned that he read online that her net worth was around £30 million, she dismissed it as nonsense.

During the middle of her professional life, Collins was given advice from her agent to abandon her glamorous appearance if she wished to be taken seriously in more significant roles. However, Collins dismissed this suggestion. She explained that all of her mother and aunts, a total of ten, were very glamorous, and she did not see the point in abandoning the thing that made her unique just to appease some unwise casting directors. “Why should I pretend to be someone I'm not just to satisfy their vision of what an actor should look like? I'd rather stay true to myself,” Collins stated. It is hoped that she will continue to make this choice throughout her career.