Is James May OK?
Discussion
patmahe said:
I hope May stays, I for one would be less inclined to watch the show if he wasn't on it. He seems a very genuine fella, with a good knowledge of cars and a keen sense of wit and to be honest there are plenty of times when I'd rather listen to him than the other two.
Also have you noticed also that whenever they do a challenge or anything like that, May always gets the 'sh1tty' cars like the Aston N24 with no air con etc...
Now I know the sarcasm troop will be out in force on this saying, 'boo hoo poor James being bullied by mean Mr Clarkson and his Hamster', but put yourself in Mays shoes, if you were ridiculed regularly at work and constantly given the sh1tty tasks you'd soon get fed up with it too.
I think top gear are missing a trick, James should be given a regular slot on the show to talk about older cars like, the old v8 vantages from the 80's etc... this would be both interesting and right up his street. Instead we get to watch the same type of acting the @rse week after week, remember what made top gear good, it was a real car program for real car nuts, it isn't anymore. They are trying too hard to please everyone and are ending up pleasing very few and I'd imagine losing viewers in the process.
Hands up who wants a really shitty job involving hooning an Aston N24 around the Alps?Also have you noticed also that whenever they do a challenge or anything like that, May always gets the 'sh1tty' cars like the Aston N24 with no air con etc...
Now I know the sarcasm troop will be out in force on this saying, 'boo hoo poor James being bullied by mean Mr Clarkson and his Hamster', but put yourself in Mays shoes, if you were ridiculed regularly at work and constantly given the sh1tty tasks you'd soon get fed up with it too.
I think top gear are missing a trick, James should be given a regular slot on the show to talk about older cars like, the old v8 vantages from the 80's etc... this would be both interesting and right up his street. Instead we get to watch the same type of acting the @rse week after week, remember what made top gear good, it was a real car program for real car nuts, it isn't anymore. They are trying too hard to please everyone and are ending up pleasing very few and I'd imagine losing viewers in the process.
Seriously...how did you manage a sentance involving the words Aston N24 Alps and shitty ?
Whatever rumour may be flying around, one thing is for certain - he gets a lot less airtime than the other two.
Bear in mind that Clarkson has something to do with the production team, and may well have some influence over who gets what slot and who gets the airtime.
Looking at some of the older episodes on Dave, James May got a lot more to do, especially with classic cars, where he'd turn up in one, tell everyone how affordable it was and what's involved in owning one. This just doesn't seem to happen any more.
Thing is, there's even more scope for it. They're forever featuring modern supercars, GTs and luxury saloons, and traditionally Quentin Willson would then tell you how you could buy an Aston Martin V8 for £15k. May used to get to do this, now he even has his news slot cut down.
I can see the Beeb installing him as a long-term presenter on some alternative show. One of my favourite car shows is actually Used Car Roadshow on ITV4 with Jason Dawe and Penny Mallory. I can see him doing a more upmarket BBC equivalent of that.
The programme he did on childhood toys last christmas was fantastic.
Bear in mind that Clarkson has something to do with the production team, and may well have some influence over who gets what slot and who gets the airtime.
Looking at some of the older episodes on Dave, James May got a lot more to do, especially with classic cars, where he'd turn up in one, tell everyone how affordable it was and what's involved in owning one. This just doesn't seem to happen any more.
Thing is, there's even more scope for it. They're forever featuring modern supercars, GTs and luxury saloons, and traditionally Quentin Willson would then tell you how you could buy an Aston Martin V8 for £15k. May used to get to do this, now he even has his news slot cut down.
I can see the Beeb installing him as a long-term presenter on some alternative show. One of my favourite car shows is actually Used Car Roadshow on ITV4 with Jason Dawe and Penny Mallory. I can see him doing a more upmarket BBC equivalent of that.
The programme he did on childhood toys last christmas was fantastic.
I think its a matter of whether James understands and accepts his position within the TG team..... he gets paid a fair wack to be prodded and called old you know
I for one would love to be ridiculed, for a drive in a Aston or veryon but as he has demonstrated with his wine tour which showed him in a good humored witty light he doesnt need to be made the fool to get work at the bbc.
I think some of last nights jokes went too far, i mean im fairly libral with the whole poke the guy sitting next to you in the office (all day if need be) till he T**ts you on the head for laugh kinda thing but it looked like he was thinking right jokes over come on gents lets get on with it.
Some of the stuff he says makes sense like the cheese last week. It just made JC and RH look childish and look dumb (as i presume everyone got what he was trying to say...) so why put him down for it? as others i presume said (havent read the whole thread) i really like his input, his steady head and passion for old cars. But i cant stand this old man joke thats been going on far too long
Last point why is JC now premoting every celb book that comes to visit TG have they run out of people who either
A) come on for free cause they love the show
B) come on for a free car to use for the weekend?
I for one would love to be ridiculed, for a drive in a Aston or veryon but as he has demonstrated with his wine tour which showed him in a good humored witty light he doesnt need to be made the fool to get work at the bbc.
I think some of last nights jokes went too far, i mean im fairly libral with the whole poke the guy sitting next to you in the office (all day if need be) till he T**ts you on the head for laugh kinda thing but it looked like he was thinking right jokes over come on gents lets get on with it.
Some of the stuff he says makes sense like the cheese last week. It just made JC and RH look childish and look dumb (as i presume everyone got what he was trying to say...) so why put him down for it? as others i presume said (havent read the whole thread) i really like his input, his steady head and passion for old cars. But i cant stand this old man joke thats been going on far too long
Last point why is JC now premoting every celb book that comes to visit TG have they run out of people who either
A) come on for free cause they love the show
B) come on for a free car to use for the weekend?
RobM77 said:
I too am getting a bit sick of seeing JC and RH taking the mickey out of James constantly. James is a bloody good journalist, and far wittier than the other two.
Damn right. He comes across as the only genuine guy. And a very sharp one too. Loved this weeks Telegraph article written by May.CooperS said:
Last point why is JC now premoting every celb book that comes to visit TG have they run out of people who either
A) come on for free cause they love the show
B) come on for a free car to use for the weekend?
I would imagine that the guests are BBC choices not Top Gear/Clarkson/Wilman. After all they wouldn't have had Helen "I don't like cars" Mirren on a couple of weeks back had it been their choice. And as part of the deal they have to promote their seedy little books, films or plays.A) come on for free cause they love the show
B) come on for a free car to use for the weekend?
Apart from self confessed car nut guests they have had on there the only one I would like to see again is Sir Michael Gambon, as he always give a good funny interview.
I think its about time they cut down the time used on "Star in a reasonabley priced car" and got some propper celeb petrol heads on again
Oh so long I have waited to see Jay Kay & Jodie Kidd do battle again, this time the Chevrowoo being the weapon of choice
As funny as the Peel segment was last night, it was rather long and could've been split with another car test...even if it was a regular car, it would've done
May getting his own slot on the show as the resident classics expert is a good idea, but what you need to think about is how May would react to that? Maybe he doesnt want to be portrayed in that way????????????????????
As for the word shitty being used alongside Aston Martin N24 & Alps...if this what shit is, then cover me in a layer of it and call me stinky bob because I would love to hoon accross the Alps in the N24
Oh so long I have waited to see Jay Kay & Jodie Kidd do battle again, this time the Chevrowoo being the weapon of choice
As funny as the Peel segment was last night, it was rather long and could've been split with another car test...even if it was a regular car, it would've done
May getting his own slot on the show as the resident classics expert is a good idea, but what you need to think about is how May would react to that? Maybe he doesnt want to be portrayed in that way????????????????????
As for the word shitty being used alongside Aston Martin N24 & Alps...if this what shit is, then cover me in a layer of it and call me stinky bob because I would love to hoon accross the Alps in the N24
Slightly OT, but did anyone see clarkson on QI the other day.
I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
FourWheelDrift said:
CooperS said:
Last point why is JC now premoting every celb book that comes to visit TG have they run out of people who either
A) come on for free cause they love the show
B) come on for a free car to use for the weekend?
I would imagine that the guests are BBC choices not Top Gear/Clarkson/Wilman. After all they wouldn't have had Helen "I don't like cars" Mirren on a couple of weeks back had it been their choice. And as part of the deal they have to promote their seedy little books, films or plays.A) come on for free cause they love the show
B) come on for a free car to use for the weekend?
Apart from self confessed car nut guests they have had on there the only one I would like to see again is Sir Michael Gambon, as he always give a good funny interview.
colacube said:
Slightly OT, but did anyone see clarkson on QI the other day.
I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
He's been on there regularly since the show began. I think it's probably because he's one of Stephen Fry's mates rather than any 'intellectual prowess' factor.I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
the fact you quote that muppet Richard Porter as being great rather devalues your judgement on this...
red_rover said:
James May is easily one of my favourite car journalists (along with the great Keith Adams and Richard Porter!) and television presenter ever.
He needs his own shown to let him shiiine!
And I don't think he cares for celebrity, so no star in car! Huzzah!
He needs his own shown to let him shiiine!
And I don't think he cares for celebrity, so no star in car! Huzzah!
Edited by red_rover on Sunday 28th October 21:23
Twincam16 said:
colacube said:
Slightly OT, but did anyone see clarkson on QI the other day.
I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
He's been on there regularly since the show began. I think it's probably because he's one of Stephen Fry's mates rather than any 'intellectual prowess' factor.I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
Twincam16 said:
colacube said:
Slightly OT, but did anyone see clarkson on QI the other day.
I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
He's been on there regularly since the show began. I think it's probably because he's one of Stephen Fry's mates rather than any 'intellectual prowess' factor.I am a fan of him, big mouth and all, but when I flicked on I couldnt understand what he was doing there. He turned out to seem well out of his depth, and I suspect that he wont be invited, not want to be, back again.
He seemed to be a strange choice of guest, and I did wonder who he owed a favour to, or the other way round, for him to end up there.
FourWheelDrift said:
I would imagine that the guests are BBC choices not Top Gear/Clarkson/Wilman. After all they wouldn't have had Helen "I don't like cars" Mirren on a couple of weeks back had it been their choice. And as part of the deal they have to promote their seedy little books, films or plays.
I couldn't agree more. Although Ronnie Wood seemed to have a reasonably interesting collection. I think the idea of having car hating Prius drivering thespians on every week is ridiculous.James May makes the show for me too. Also totally agree with the posters that have mentioned his other shows - 20th century, toys, wine trail. He's a versatile presenter with a style that connects with I expect a very wide audience demographic.
The piss taking and stuff is all well and good, but there's only so much you can hack of that. He looked truly fed up last night (agreed also, not well - grey and pasty faced etc). He should have his part of the show expanded not cut down. I get the impression he's smarter than the other two put together and a better presenter to boot.
That said, I also enjoy JC and RH antics but the jokes, insults etc wear very thin very fast and they tend to overstep the "funny -> give it a rest threshold" a bit too often.
PS: Hammond, sort your hair out, you are not 8 years old...!
The piss taking and stuff is all well and good, but there's only so much you can hack of that. He looked truly fed up last night (agreed also, not well - grey and pasty faced etc). He should have his part of the show expanded not cut down. I get the impression he's smarter than the other two put together and a better presenter to boot.
That said, I also enjoy JC and RH antics but the jokes, insults etc wear very thin very fast and they tend to overstep the "funny -> give it a rest threshold" a bit too often.
PS: Hammond, sort your hair out, you are not 8 years old...!
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