James May recalls his best (and worst) filming moments from the last 15 years

This is part 2 of an interview we filmed with James May and his director/producer, Tom Whitter. In this segment, James and Tom reminisce about the best and worst moments from their long years of filming together.

[@petew.1418]

James has grown into the age he has always been.

[@Throku]

Hundred and eightyfour?

[@-A-c]

@@Throku .... thousand?

[@trevorshields7347]

I was thinking the exact same thing

[@petew.1418]

@PlaySomething! What an odd way to say "accurate". 🤔 ....but anyway...

[@z3t3c33]

Eleventy one?

[@caoimhekearns2350]

Is it just me or is James’s style getting better with age? 😂

[@stewkulele]

It couldn’t get worse

[@hakookami7260]

Meanwhile Richard keeps getting worse

[@wojciechwilimowski985]

It stays the same, it's us getting more and more used to it

[@-TJ-]

James is ahead of the curve. We're only catching up to him now.

[@caoimhekearns2350]

Although I am loving those jumpers he wears now 🙌🏻

[@JoeyDND]

I absolutely love James May. Clarkson used to be my favourite of the trio, but seeing more of May other than on TG/GT has made me realise just what a fantastic and funny man he is.

[@tommymician121]

He's just really smart. That is why he's so naturally funny and just a pleasure to watch all the time.

[@idreeskhan8885]

@@tommymician121 Smart? Or just knowledgable. I wouldn't say smart, he doesn't have any new or orginal ideas. And remember on the show they're all playing a character, I mean look at what an idiot they've turned Richard into.

[@nate8088]

@@idreeskhan8885 I'd just go with "intelligent". James has always let his intelligence bleed through, and now that he's not playing a character, it's even more evident.

[@idreeskhan8885]

@@nate8088 We've seen him be knowledgable on certain things (although I question whether much of what he knows is in any way relevant) rather than intelligent.

[@nate8088]

@@idreeskhan8885 Agree to disagree, then, I suppose.

[@jaredmulconry]

James has always been ideally talented for television and KZbin, but there's something all the more wholesome about his performance when it's more free-form like in interviews or KZbin videos.

[@idreeskhan8885]

No he isn't. He got better over time. The first 7-8 years on TV he was a different person.

[@TChops-hi7hr]

I think his well-being has improved greatly considering he's no longer dealing with Jeremy Clarkson.

[@elvistwatty]

@@TChops-hi7hr they still work together...what are you talking about

[@TChops-hi7hr]

@@elvistwatty Well, I'm thinking of the road trip in Bolivia with a machete and I'm also reminded of a trip in Africa where they both tore off parts of each other's cars

[@DodderingOldMan]

Agreed. He's absolutely brilliant on Top Gear etc, but there's something about this channel that allows him to be even more watchable and likeable.

[@Ocsttiac]

James May's Toy Stories is still one of my favourite things May has ever done.

[@MidTennPews]

I think The Reassembler is my all time favourite thing from him.

[@Jason-ld5fn]

May in Japan is great too

[@Goat4459]

Agreed with toy story

[@Metal-Possum]

I just like watching James May. Even Man Lab was enjoyable, although quite possibly lacking a sense of direction or cohesion.

[@mgscheue]

Yes, me too. Such a fun and interesting series.

[@saltiestsalt6326]

James May should really do a Podcast, or narrate audiobooks or something. I could listen to this man for hours on end.

[@misterdanielsiii]

James May's 20th Century is one of my favorite such books.

[@patriciavanvoorhis1491]

He does have a few audio books.

[@Rombizio]

Who would thought that out of the 3 James would be the coolest one?

[@JK-fw3tb]

Was Hammond ever in the discussion?

[@reedtarted1932]

Yeah I love his cooking show

[@johnandrews3568]

Duh... anyone with half a brain (which excludes Clarkson and Hammond... obviously)

[@Sackmatters]

He’s always seemed to be the coolest out of the three. He genuinely enjoys entertaining people.

[@Rombizio]

I actually mean cool looking. He has always been the coolest.

[@MrTrool323]

It always makes me happy to see James smile and laugh Such a wholesome bloke

[@benjaminlumsden]

James proves that the question is not "Will people want to watch this?", it's "Do I want to create this?".

[@julesiebear]

I hope I’m as fond of my memories like this when I’m older

[@Arthur-mh2uo]

I’m guessing James best moment is hearing Richard shouting Oliver when his Opel sank

[@ldwp6395]

Happened twice, Richard said as he forgot the camera the first time

[@tomforrest7814]

James wasn't there he had gone on with Jeremy to find a suitable crossing point

[@erneststyczen7071]

This was staged

[@ldwp6395]

@@erneststyczen7071 yes it was

[@erneststyczen7071]

@@ldwp6395 indeed

[@JoshuaC923]

I am so glad you guys scraped together and got the toy stories together. They were fantastic, one of my favourite shows.

[@barrettoliver2009]

James Mays Toy Storys was one of my favourite series growing up . The man is a treasure

[@packepuck]

I'd love to see another series of the Reassembler. It's so soothing and relaxing for my stressed out soul.

[@probablynotyourdad4616]

James is like an asguardian, he gets stronger and wiser with age.

[@vaughnsigal4560]

Or scotch

[@tejassharma5404]

Jeez u have a terrifying profile pic

[@user-bm9cv9vn2k]

Odin is with us

[@mrscary3105]

Bim is one of my favorite TV hosts. :)

[@HyperVanilo]

Hey Bim, guess what?

[@derekarechavala5501]

Traveling is really exciting me mmmmm

[@DHart293]

Sumimasen

[@nickllama5296]

I so badly want another series of James May visiting a country. His show in Japan was phenomenal.

[@Oli_Hudson]

Imagine being the manager at Sainsburys and getting a call from James May!!!

[@mats7492]

@Ross Bourne you gotta start with Hello

[@drundub73]

James May even made rebuilding a telephone interesting . Every show he has done has been great . When he made the glider fly over the channel and land remotely .That was a gem .

[@amoghkrishnan5246]

Cant believe I'm saying this but James May is aging like fine wine ! 🍷

[@bubandbob]

His terroir is excellent.

[@jonathanpowell1470]

Could listen to James all day. More like this please!!!

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

If James can't make another "Our Man In..." because of COVID-19, maybe he could make a series visiting cheese makers around the UK. Call it The Cheese Tour. Cheese goes well with wine. What's Oz Clarke up to?

[@jaromarusic325]

James May is such an icon.

[@jaromarusic325]

His funniest moment was laughing at Jeremy in his "car caravan"

[@invisiblekid99]

It's laughs like those that you know that show it's not all a set-up and that those moments are genuine

[@joaquinfranco9012]

The Leaning Tower Of Citroen

[@StockportJambo]

Or in Mozambique when he finally made his ridiculous aquarium in the back, and then as soon as he braked sharply he got soaked with seawater & the other two creased up.

[@teme82]

Would love another season of James May: Our Man in Japan. I think there is a lot more for him to explore

[@StockportJambo]

He's going to the USA next year to do one.

[@jacobliefeld9248]

Jeremy looks like Santa (when he has a beard), May looks like a university professor for a dubious physics class... when we get something from Hammond, will he look like an actual hamster?

[@gwauk205]

👍😂

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

A spamster

[@rivolinho]

Hammond looks like Tony Stark

[@ericpisch2732]

Hammond looks like a dodgy (they all are) BMW salesman

[@elloo98]

I think he looks italian

[@formulazebulon7345]

James voice is so calming

[@jase6709]

I knew the Toy Stories episodes didn't go as smoothly as they showed, because all the volunteers looked fed up at one point 🤣

[@polattanoglu756]

I saw the title and immediately thought 'now that's a must watch'. I will come back to comment when I've finished watching.

[@woodstocknun]

James looks like Robert Plant's brother who looks like Brian May.

[@captpicard6894]

I still think my all time favorite James May programme has to be the Toy Story when he creates a life sized Airfix Spitfire. His genuine enthusiasm, excitement, and general overall love did the project came across. Top, Top bloke James may. S as sways a pleasure to watch him in anything quite frankly😁😁

[@crowofcrius]

Sound recordist literally had one job, and blew it. One trick from the old book of audiocrew is to have a backup mic in, so if the lavallier mic craps out, you can take the audio from there.

[@monkfishy6348]

They likely didn't know it was crapped until afterwards.

[@crowofcrius]

@@monkfishy6348 thats is the reason to have backup mic on a boom

[@theChain120]

This aspect ruined the whole video for me

[@briansedlacek1963]

James aged like fine wine.. Respect

[@maggiepye3064]

James has never looked better, and this has got to be my favorite look. Everything's perfect: sweater, glasses, hair.

[@epinephrindna3385]

I wish the trio to create a podcast where they will describe shooting all episodes of TG / GT

[@AMGEVAN]

I loved the Japan travel special on Amazon. I hope you do another one of those! I hope you go all over the world and make those!

[@tommarino69]

When I grow up, I wanna be like James May.

[@rob7566]

I have loved every one of James Mays programs.

[@Josh3sh]

Glad for the new content with a fresh mic. Keep up the hard work.

[@dumbbellenjoyer]

Loved hearing about the Japanese ice. I used to go hiking in Japan over the winter and used アイゼン to walk on the ice safely.

[@mrtom2854]

4:35 CAT! THERE'S A CAT IN THE BACKGROUND!

[@Eric-dr5bj]

Looks like a small holstein

[@BMAWG1968]

Isn't that Lucy's moggie?

[@williammiller8317]

Always interesting to hear James’ take on things, it’s often quite surprising.

[@paulriddel5277]

I would have thought getting knocked out in the middle of nowhere would have featured somewhere in this

[@jayhom5385]

Lucy has gotten him to the point of being able to say, "Like, comment, subscribe" without flipping everyone off.

[@familybills2908]

she has!

[@Werevertumoto]

That glider show is one of the best things I've ever seen

[@FadeDance]

The Tesla argument was perfectly executed with well thought out content and statements. Clearly remember how much I loved that on first watch. That's my vote.

[@leonardnose5695]

Funniest moment was james may and the gang waking up on the side of the road and i think it was James who had a machete in his hand looking disheveled

[@LegendFromWoW]

Thanks for the content you’ve provided us over all these years. Been watching since Top Gear; greetings from Seattle!

[@pilkjaer]

James is getting more and more classy with years

[@thebolsta]

I've got an unused bottle of Salad Cream in the fridge, I now feel inspired to go and get a tin of Spam from the shop... Ryvita, coated with Manuka honey and Colemans, a layer of spinach leaf and spring onion... A slab of Spam, top it with split cherry tomatoes and drizzle with Salad Cream... Between two slices of council bread.

[@Rico_71]

The butter. "Lurpack spreadable butter invented in 1903 or 1901 we are not sure ™️" must not be missing

[@samdherring]

And *cheese*

[@riversider2506]

In my mind , the lad *Sir James May* is my distant cool uncle that has knowledge on the most random yet necessary things in life 😄🤞.... *SHOUT OUT* to my *Uncle James May!!* 🙋‍♂️

[@borandiUK]

You HAVE to voice the questions. Some of us listen to this podcast style. Other people are blind.

[@michaelr9427]

Always great just to hear James talk :)))

[@haberdasherrykr8886]

His favourite pass time is Geoff Chaucer and Charlemagne apart from victorian interior design and drapery ofc.

[@kudos4201]

this man should be knighted for what hes done for british telivision. national treasure and legend.

[@TheBcpearson]

I drove past someone today and though, that looks like James may with a beard!!! Now I see this. James have you some how snuck into New Zealand and driving around in a Subaru Outback???

[@faypack3087]

Would love to sit and talk to him. He is very intelligent 💙🦉

[@niklfc9384]

Great chat fellas..thanks👍

[@yeaboiii3057]

I think James should do another version of the reassembler and give us all arcane facts about the things he reassembles

[@doritofan1002]

I love James’s dry wit.. like just the line of him saying “in case it’s heading towards an orphanage or something” cracked me up oh and with all the other shows and stuff he does now should he be called “Admiral Slow”?

[@coolhandchunk]

Aside from Our Man In Japan, imo, Mail Time has been one of the most entertaining bits that James has been involved with lately!

[@reedtarted1932]

Have you watched the cooking show

[@Clay3613]

Hoping for 15 more and mail again!

[@thisisaduck]

We need more toy stories! They were definitely the best stuff you get on television.

[@lewisfoster9514]

Thank you, great content especially with Tom also. I have indeed liked commented subscribed!!

[@jwhit8366]

I hope you keep doing the food films. I love them!

[@kjah06]

The cheese meme is the best thing to happen in 2021 so far 😂

[@OswellSmash]

Growing up watching the trio , you look healthy and healthier May ! 😂 Proud big fan from 🇲🇾!

[@PoleTooke]

Mail Time was the best. Please do that more.

[@nicopillay4059]

Grey and white hair really ties James' personality and appearance together

[@maxiboy2704]

The best moment is seeing James May with a BEARD

[@cloud_appreciation_society]

I just discovered there's four extra James May Toy Stories episodes I haven't watched, I feel like I've been given an early Christmas present haha

[@s.z.x.01]

Man’s aged like fine wine

[@PiperFishing]

Can the questions be narrated for people who are just listening?

[@moo886]

Please make another Our Man In series i loved the one in Japan

[@mcmcnair97]

Thank you for keeping the shots with the cat in

[@stellasun9989]

I absolutely LOVE the toy stories!!

[@reedtarted1932]

I love his cooking show I hope it comes back

[@holeefok3158]

when Sir May hit the floor in that episode, was ruuuude.

[@thegodofhellfire]

awesome stories

[@gerrysongs4170]

How about a mini grand tour like episode on Drivetribe starring Mike from Drivetribe, Harry from Harry’s garage and Stephanie from I drive a classic????

[@mowler8042]

I need to see this show sounds so fun

[@SirBoden]

James should do something with Phil Harding from Time Team.

[@jadenbernard5705]

“CLARKSON!”

[@ES90344]

I would love a other series as Man Lab, loved that show.

[@marionbayley1351]

I love the mugs - gorgeous colours

[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

I'm sure there are rights issues but it would be great to put some little clips or pictures on screen about what they are talking about.

[@BongoBaggins]

James looks more like Jack Hargreaves every day. There's an opportunity here to bring back Out of Town

[@RowdyRide]

James May is a treasure

[@Jimexter]

James, please can we see a video on your watch collection? Nico Leonard called you out in his most recent video.

[@Sequentonal]

7:38 Love their attitude!

[@coryman125]

Halfway through the video: "KZbin doesn't need that cynicism about it, you can just be honest" The end of the video: "Like comment subscribe like comment subscribe, anything you want to add? Like comment subscribe?"

[@djjamestobin]

I love everything about DRIVETRIBE, and the hosts. I do, however, guarantee your content would benefit if you had an audio engineer. Such awesome stories that are so hard to hear. Happy to help with post processing if needed, it’s my job. (Sorry...I’ve been biting my tongue on it for years but can’t cope anymore 😰)

[@JeroenvandenBerg82]

definitely, I was re-checking own my cables before realizing the audio in the video is terrible, there is some crackling on the right channel and it's overall "dull"/"faded" I have no clue how to define it, I'm no audio engineer by a long shot, but something is really f-up with the audio.

[@BrendenPragasam]

I have to admit I woke up at 4 today just in time to catch James May

[@neilmiddleton]

This video looks like someone going to visit their dad in the old people's home asking them about what they did in the war.

[@NoGoodNamesLeft]

James may at 7am oddly satisfying

[@harezy]

James is starting to look "eccentric" or is he turning into Lord Bath 😁🤣

[@djonfonsteen6331]

There has to be an easel and a few brushes in the background there too, a Rolf... !?

[@Goodman-4525]

I actually didn't realize all of James's series' are produced by the same guy

[@pasit1738]

Someone's forgot to turn down the sound of the film, when editing this, did someone? 😁

[@colin7632]

Great jumper James 👍

[@parthkapgate]

The weather changed during the course of this 13:32 minute video .