James May on the global success of Top Gear, the end of The Grand Tour and more | Ti podcast 200
Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel are joined in the studio by the wonderful James May. The Top Gear host turned Grand Tour presenter talks about his early career working for car magazines, how he got his break in television, the extraordinary global success of Top Gear and what the secret to that success was.
James also explains what it was like to drive across the Sahara desert in a Maserati for Sand Job, the latest Grand Tour special, and he shares his view on EVs and hydrogen fuel cells. He also talks about his Ferrari 458 Speciale, Porsche 911 and the rest of his eclectic car collection.
#jamesmay #topgear #thegrandtour
1:30 James's early career
6:03 Getting fired from Autocar magazine
13:13 Writing for Car magazine
20:35 Getting started in television
21:45 Top Gear
45:00 The Grand Tour
58:20 Electric cars and hydrogen fuel cells
1:19:48 James's cars
This is episode 200 of The Intercooler podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.
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I sees James May, I click… definitely need a part two
same
Jimmy Clicky
Absolutely
Same here haha James may is awesome and funny
Likewise
James May should guest on more podcasts. Saw this and immediately wanted to watch this podcast for the first time ever.
Since JRE has messed up, he needs to be on Lex Friedman, or high performance
@@henrik1743 messed up?
@@FenderUsa He's podcast and he's podcasting is not good anymore
I would seriously, seriously love to see him on Smith and sniff
@@henrik1743 wtf are you talking about?????
Growing up is realizing James may is actually the best
Yes
Growing up is realising all of them are amazingly fun and funny people.
hammond goat
James has always been my favorite… lol
Why even rank them. The last 20 years of tv these three gave us were great. Just enjoy it.
Thank you James, Jeremy and Hammond for providing so many laughs throughout my childhood up until current day.
Finally understand why my dad was so excited and talked so highly of old actors, johnny cash he loved etc. They where such a bright part of your life, and then you see them go away.. Tis sad, so grateful for all the side adventures these three have been doing. Watched top gear every night it was the highlight of my shitty day X D.
The Vietnam Special will always be one of my Favs. I never cared for how fast a six figure car goes from 0-60 but I loved the Road Trips and the Car vs Boat/Plane/Train challenges.
Yes driving fast around a circuit sent me to sleep,the challenges were epic and comedy gold..mostly involving James like when he was in the ticket Queue for hours and was in the wrong Queue...and when the train split in Japan and they lost each other....
There's just not enough actual 'travel' on TV. The travel channel has got 99.9% UFOs and ghosts.
The super cars and exotics are like watching shows about celebrity lives or award shows- none of it relates to us and hard to care about. A $5000-$10k car episode resonates with any asshole who’s ever had to drive to work to clock in.
@@rosscoeradio3741 I don't mind super-car stuff myself. I think best if there's a mix up, some super cars, some vintage cars, some cheap cars.
@@rosscoeradio3741I think the supercar stuff is always awesome. The reviews are quite funny.
Can´t get enough of James May. Top Gear was my reason to properly learn English, as the german translation was utterly hopeless and the news were cut out. I owe them a lot.
Me to pal I'm polish I was in UK from 2005 and yes I learn many many words thanks to this 3 fuck...rs I really miss this days I was crying at loud lol Peace
they cut the news out? wow. You ve been missing out very much then
Same man! I'm Spanish and I used to wach top gear in English every day when I arrived from school. I learned so much watching countless episodes 😂
@@karelpipaof course, why are you surprised about German censorship lmao
Same here. Watched like 15 seasons of Top Gear in English one summer when I was around 12 or 13. Basically what gave me the base to the relative proficiency I have to this day in English. So, one more reason to love Top Gear, at least for me. Cheers from Italy
James's voice is so cathartic, could listen to him for hours. They should put it on all public announcements and make audiobooks of it.
He's done some audio books (his own books). I have all of them and listen to them to drift off to sleep... The only problem is they are too short and not enough of them.
I bet you haven’t listened to a single one of his audiobooks. I have. Have you?
YES! Great chap
Starts with "Fellow listeners".... Yh you read that in James May's voice.. I typed it in his voice 😂
I've been rejected loads. Listening to James talk about how many times he has had this is humbling. Top guy.
Yeah, but he got lucky a lot too
@@stellviahohenheim hes also underestimating himself, how many times have you sent 3 ready to be edited magazine articles to someone cold.
We make your own luck. James certainly does.
@@davidelliott5843 while that is a great psychological comfort believing you can control your own sucess (or lack thereof), it has to be said luck/pure chance has a lot to do with the opportunities one can come across
@@stellviahohenheim You only put yourself in the position to be "lucky" if you persist and don't give up at the first incidences of rejection.
This men is so humble.. he is so down to earth with all that fame and such a big figure that he is. probably my favorite of the trio because of that
I feel like the trio is pretty much lined up exactly as three brothers in how their relationship works, Clarkson as the oldest, May in the middle, and Hammond as the youngest. There’s something specific about how the dynamic of 3 siblings plays out and the trio’s chemistry draws many parallels. Especially siblings who all have obviously different character traits and probably would not normally be friends outside of the bounds of being family and the loyalty, care, and love that comes from there being that thing that presupposes their individual relationships
Yes.
It cannot be understated, Top Gear under Jeremy Clarkson is THE most popular serial television production in history. To see anyone involved in such an operation maintain this level of humility is shockingly rare.
The OG Top Gear trio will be my childhoood and I’ll never forget them. I’m currently introducing my 6 year old daughter to Top Gear and she’s been hooked recently.
It is always a delight to listen to James May talking because he is so eloquent and well-spoken. He has a very unique way of sharing his thoughts that make even boring things very interesting! The beach bug episode is actually on The Grand Tour first season, I just don't remember which episode.
I could listen to James for hours
Imagine May, Hammond, and Clarkson on Joe Rogan podcast. We would hear Clarkson's uncensored. May going on long interesting subjects without being cutoffs edit, but probably by Clarkson. And Hammond going on about muscle cars with Rogan while the other 2 whine.
I would like to personally thank James for agreeing to be available to do so many interviews. He must get sick of telling the same stories of his time climbing the journalism ladder, but he always talks as though he is telling it for the first time. He speaks as an honest, down to earth gentleman with none of the 'fanfare' that can mar teh stories of other personalities. While I have always enjoyed the team of Clarkson, Hammond and May, it is definitely James I would like to sit down with over a meal. Respect.
For all of his TV shows and appearances in TV I'm not sure James realizes how interesting it to us hearing him debate about anything. He has such a way with words that he is the living expression of making history come alive He is surprised how come there are no mainstream carshows nowadays, I'm surprised how little has he done any talk shows/podcast/radio because he is just THAT good. I really really hope he does more of this, you can tell he has so much more in him to talk about
30:07 "Fun with cars" is how Andy Wilman (executive producer and co-creator of "new" Top Gear and Grand Tour) summed it up in an interview with Ben Collins (Top Gear's second, but most famous Stig who wrote a book about it). Very interesting interview if you like Top Gear. Collins also asked if Wilman regretted not putting in more technical info, to which he replied "judging by the viewing figures, no". People watched because of the banter and the jokes, cars were just a theme, as May put it. This is why it will never be repeated, in any format or with any theme. Grand Tour worked because it was them and Top Gear went down the drain because it wasn't them. If it was more technical, most people would've stopped watching. It is not just them kind of disliking each other (mostly for show as they admit), but the genius comments, the pranks they think of, instantly knowing when the other is up to no good and helping them pull the prank off. All three are naturally funny and have a no care attitude (or blissful naivety in Hammonds case). This is probably why May wasn't fazed by being on tv. He never really seems impressed by anything, except fighter jets and technology.
I remember when the trio left. And the BBC brought in 8 or 9 people to try and replace them. I knew then that’s when it was doomed to fail.
Once they’re done doing the Gran Tour, I believe Richard, Jeremy and James should make a DriveTribe Podcast, just to hang out and talk about cars, current industry news and stuff… nothing formal like Top Gear, but just chillout like here. That would be awesome to watch and it would be easier schedule.
I would pay for this
Loved this podcast. Always a pleasure to listen to interesting, intelligent and thoughtful people who are also remarkably humble. James May is a great Intercooler guest.
The original Cheap Car Challenge was brilliant in its simplicity, and made great telly. All got a bit out of hand. Those early runs were so good.
Yeah some of it became quite repetitive, although still more entertaining than most of what's on the tele
Yeah for the last 5 years they've said it's all the traveling and driving in insane conditions that's doing them in. And for the last 5 years I've been saying just whatever 3 cheap and plentiful (non-rare) but comfortable enough cars they can get and drive in the U.K would be more than good enough for most people. Low budget no blowing anything up, maybe visit one another and do some dinner, and literally be home the same day.
@@ToreDL87 Yep. They waaaaay overdid it appealing to the broadest audience, and the quality nosedived. Beyond that, I always found the more authentic interactions between them far more satisfying than the stupid "HAMMOND YOU IDIOT!" moments.
I never heard of The Intercooler before not subbed but this was in my "For you feed". Wow am I glad i clicked on this and it's not because of James May exactly. The view around the table almost makes you feel like you are in the room and switching cameras gives the feeling of near eye contact but not quite because that can be awkward but more like in the room as an observer, a great step closer than an audience and this works very well. James looked comfortable and the discourse enjoyable and human.
My mom doesn’t give a hoot about cars, and is a massive fan of the 3 blokes. Their partially antagonistic friendship was just so watchable
As someone who's currently unemployed, i got motivated by hearing James May's experience as a young adult. Quite similar to me but I haven't been fired from my jobs. Hope I can find a breakthrough and start a career.
Keep your motivation up and don't get hung up on the not having a career thing. I've just left my career of 10 years due to Ill health, I was a vehicle technician, some might say that's a really good job some might say it's rubbish, I dedicated the last 10 years to that job and I'm paying for it now, I can honestly say I'd have rather worked in coffee shops or clothes shops😂. I think what I'm trying to say is you might feel like you're behind because you don't have a career however from my view you've got a great opportunity to think about something you'd like to do and make it happen! Good luck! Work to live not live to work is my advice to you, prioritise your life and don't be afraid to change direction if it doesn't work for you👍
@TheJshiner123 I appreciate your message, it's very motivating. I hope your health has improved since you left that job. I don't mind not having a career, I'm applying for every type of job from retail to customer call centres, issue is because of immigration, companies rather hire immigrants at a lower wage than people from their own country. It's not the immigrants fault but definitely the companies who just care about profit.
Try anything. I'm almost 60 and have had all kind sof jobs amd really 3 very different careers. Start at the bottom and learn all about what you are doing... no matter what it is. Read, watch, ask questions. Each thing I've done I've started at the bottom and become a manager.. not through qualifications for sure (never been to university), but by being determined to be the best... for my own sake, no one else's. Whatever you do, aim to be the best at it and you will make progress.
Absolutely loved Top Gear and Grand Tour. Those Top Gear season specials was pure magic.
I worked with James on the live "Building Cars" show, 2015, from the Mini manufacturing plant in Oxford. Great ambitious show, live on two consecutive days. Nice chap, calm and level guy, we chatted about aviation and flying. Kate Humble was also presenting, she was fantastic and hugely skilled on live telly.
I found the cinematography of Grand Tour to be insanely good. Every time they took a trip I was left with a desire to see that location myself.
"Let's not talk about that." A 20-minute deep-dive into "that" follows.
An excellent podcast. Your guest James May makes the 200 edition all the more noteworthy.
This was one of the finest discussions on car culture I've heard in a long time. Well played. More please.
The 'secret' is that they were all CAR JOURNALISTS before being 'cast' on the show, and their 'characters' were based on their real personalities... The other attempts all failed because they basically hired 'actors' and tried to impose characteristics onto them.
James is a national treasure. The early years of Top Gear were just extraordinary and James was brilliant. Hammond and Clarkson were also superb and it’s just one of those magic moments that James has said you cannot recreate. It just happened.
That was a great discussion with one of my favorite auto personalities. Had the good fortune of meeting James and the other two in Siem Reap Cambodia (2019) while they were filming the Seaman episode. No actual footage of the town was shown, but they did spend a little time on Pub Street and it was wonderful to see them. Ran into the crew (Asian Film Fixers) in Phnom Penh and even shot a video of the FCC. I was pleasantly surprised when the episode came out that Richard and Jeremy did a very similar bit, even sitting in the same chairs that I used while making a time-laps of the riverside of the Tonle Sap. Bitter sweet to know it's coming to an end, but happy that they are going out on a high note!
Genuinely such a good watch/listen ❤️ I absolutely love May, Richard and Clarkson. Was so interesting delving into Jame’s early career. 🙏🏻
the only episode of this podcast I will ever watch
Love James May! Grateful for the podcast. As an aside, (hopefully I can share this with kindness). Even thought you kept it brief, please don't have a guest like James May on your project and spend time discussing your own interests and milestones at the beginning while he stares into the void. Be a gentleman and address your guest directly from the jump. He's worth it! If you need to start the project by sharing your milestones or introductions then do a separate B-reel and tack it on to the front. Don't make him wait. Again, thankful for the podcast. Best!
Fantastic episode. Hearing James talk about cars is so refreshing. Such a humble man!
The very first time I came across the name James May was when he wrote a regular column for CAR magazine entitled "England Made Me". The connection between CAR magazine and F&F Publishing needs no elucidation.
Thinking about the last grand tour credits rolling brings me to actual tears but when it happens I will be so grateful for having my entire 21 years and counting on this earth filled with the joy of growing as a car lover and watching this irreplaceable trio of gents have the time of their lives.
Inspite of the views, this is an entirely historical and important discussion outlining the origins of automobile journalism and, obviously including James May, the potential of what that change achieved in the form of entertainment. Very well done all involved in outlining this particular trajectory to what was a globally viewed evolution of these early days.
Thank you for sharing this video, truly fascinating listening to James tell his story and just how grounded and humble he remains despite his success. One of life’s good guys who you could chat for hours with in the pub.
Great podcast. The first podcast from anyone I’ve ever sat and watched/listened to from start to finish. Well done chaps!
NEED a Part 2, excellent chat,,
Top gear was one of my favorite shows to watch when it was at its peak. I watched every single episode of the trio back to back. Absolutely loved it. The chemistry of the three of the guys made it extremely entertaining
I think you should look up the meaning of back to back. you would have to be a severe insomniac to watch all episodes back to back.
@@andersandersen6295does it fuckin matter 🤣🥸
Does meaning of words matter? i think they fucking do!@@Endidixknsej
Regarding collectible things... the comments about mechanical things having a special place in our hearts is spot on. I immediately associated many of my machine tools (lathes, mills, etc.) to this. I absolutely love making parts on my old manual machines and only use the CNC equipment when needed. And I have fully restored my manual machines... the CNC stuff gets replaced when it gets old. There's nothing better old iron.
I can honestly say that top gear helped me bone with my now nearly 20 year old son he was always from being born Sat on my knees for every episode and when he was four we could walk down the street and honestly name the cars on that street and to this day we say the same and now it's nearly over with one more episode left it is the end of an era and even though he won't be sat on my knee lol we've promised each other that when the final episode of the grand tour comes out we're gonna make a night of it and see out that era together so thank you james , Jeremy and Richard for the years of viewing pleasure :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
James may is such an unpredictable man, you'd expect him to be big into classic cars but he's a modern petrol head, but he loves old toys/hobbies. He'll show up in a fully loaded ferrari but with an old train set in the boot! 🤣 him along with Hammond and Clarkson are so iconic! Personally I despise the BBC, then leaving it was the best thing to happen because it allowed them to grow further, was also good for me because topgear was the last tv show I watched on TV so when they left I finally cancelled my TV tax and never had to watch anything from the BBC again thankfully, even with GT ending I hope they keep bringing us top end content in their respective fields.
What an absolute joy to listen! Please do invite James again!❤
Really interesting conversation, it seems like you could record plenty of podcasts with James and never run out of things to say!
James is an eloquent and interesting bloke i`ve watched just about everything hes done on the telly .James and Oz`s wine trip was particularly brilliant ,his toy stories the list goes on hopefully theres much more to come .
We definitely need more James May interviews, please invite him back for more insightful conversation.
top gear was the only reason i turned the tv on...love u guys, hope u can continue to do more shows...
james' humility is utterly refreshing
So it is the depth of understanding, observing, reflecting, the depth of uncoding, almost in an artistic way, extreme wide and colored articulating of feelings and concepts, about things - sensitivity and intelligence - that made these three so unique. Could listen to May practically on anything - infinite. Brilliant person
What a brilliant chat, James has always been my favourite of the trio
This was such a terrific and refreshing with James and I am pleased to have stumbled upon it. It was so nice to hear a new twist of questions about his career and having a genuine grown up conversation about the past present and future of the automobile. I hope I can find this podcast on Spotify! Subbed
You guys could always do a once a year special ❤
This has been a terrific insight into the inner workings of how it all came together, and many questions I would’ve asked James were answered. Thanks for everything you’ve done Mr Slowly!
I loved every minute of this. James is just a very kind, respectful person to talk to and equally rewarding to listen to as well. Thanks to everyone who made this happen.
A great interview and the enthusiasm was wonderful! I, like most people see James May and click.
This will be my new favourite and go-to, the studio talks I mean. This was really getting into my comfort zone and then some. Quite cozy. I don't care about anything else this channel produces.
Great interview, a real pleasure 🙂
Excellent! What a great conversation and what a Legend James May is 🙏🏼
Great episode. Thank you, James is wonderful guest!
Best interview with James May I've heard. Thank you!
That episode gave me lots of input to ponder about, absolutely brilliant and in such a positive manner. Thanks for providing this positive perspective on the future of motoring!
This is the best thing I’ve watched on KZhead for ages.. Well done. 🙂👍
Really enjoyed this chat. Felt like a grown up interview with James which was brilliant. Surprisingly unusual!
There was really no need to end this, I think this couldve gone on for two more hours. Nobody seemed to be bored, it was still all very interesting. It's your bloody thing, you can let it run as long as you like!
Likely that Loo breaks, eating times, other commitments etc were reasons for stoppage; great entertainment though, yes, i fully agree !
James May spawned the cheap car challenge? I had no idea! That's so cool, I loved those bits!
Bless James heart, has has the headphones the wrong way :D Really loved this podcast and it needs a part 2.
Great chat. Along with a lot of others I expect this was my introduction to your podcast/video. I will definitely check out more.
Amazing to see the growth and journey of Ti, congrats everyone.
bless these guys for giving James interesting things to speak on. you can just tell when he gets tired of talking about something.
God I love James, people forget Clarkson was the 2nd half of creating his era if top gear as much as wilman was a driving force Clarkson picked out Hammond too
Andy Wilman was on Ben Collins' podcast yesterday and he elaborates on that. Clarkson basically came up with just about everything
@@99bimmerif you watch Clarkson 1999 you can see it's all him and he just spits out funny and interesting stuff, but you can 100% see where wilman sharpens it up for more mainstream TG
Such a delightful and honest interview, so well done!! Thank you!!
This was a great episode. Highly recommend May's travel shows, informative and fun.
Absolutely brilliant episode, well done chaps
Great interview so far, anything with James may is fantastic. Such a great guy you can tell. Wish i could share a beer with the man. Total pro. Best way to describe the success of the the trio, of top gear and the grand tour, is organized chaos. Because it was so all 3 working together. Side note, this channel needs more views. This was such a great video. Top tier.
Thanks lads, earnt yourself a sub. Only came on my feed because of May. Top Gear remains pretty much the only TV I just HAD to watch every week, nothing would get in the way. Great podcast.
Thank you!
Love this man. I definitely feel like having Frankel there really got him warmed up and going with their relationship. If you don’t get James engaged and going it’s not the best interview. It’s always a great interview, but so much better is he gets engaged like this. Fantastic interview. I listened to it in my car this week and now I watched it too. lol
Looking forward to part 2!😊
This was a magnificent watch! Always love hearing James May talk, and I think this is the first time I've seen him being able to speak his mind without many interruptions. I really hope there is a part 2 of this, or if not, please invite him back on soon cause I'd love to hear him speaking on the topics he mentioned at the very end.
I wasn't a "car guy" (and still am not really) when I got into Top Gear. I loved how very British it was (or seemed, I'm not from the UK), it was very funny because of the banter and the crazy things they did, and I learned a lot about cars. Perfect.
Grand tour should do an all 3 podcast, just a couple. Man, they'd fly. And Grand tour can't be stopping, nooo! we just got used to the Specials. Good luck to all 3! Thanks Intercooler + Autocar
A pleasure to listen to somewhat in the background while I was catching up on some much needed other things, while still somehow listening and multitasking without really knowing I was doing both. We always need podcasts like that.
I could listen to James talk all day. So much knowledge and a great story teller.
Possibly one of the best podcasts of all time.
Great listening experience, would love a part two, towards the end of the show it felt like we were just getting into it .
Fantastic podcast!
Proper humble, top, top bloke. What an incredible story. Wish him the best, great pod 👍
Enjoyed that! Thanks
what a legend! a brilliant episode
We definitely need Part 2! I need to hear that SUV discussion haha
love james. this is when you know you have done WAY too much adventure. he references the beach buggy special on grand tour as a top gear event. gonna miss you james when GT ends
First time listener, because of James. We are going to need that part 2
Usually when there's an episode of a pod I've never heard before, but it features someone I'm a fan of, I don't subscribe. But after having a look at some of the other stuff you guys have done (well, just the episode titles tbqh), and enjoying how you interacted with James, I subscribed. Congrats on 200 eps, that'll keep me going for a while!
I would love to see a follow-up episode or 2 where James discusses more topics. He is very easy to listen to.
I could listen to James may ramble on about things he's interested in for hours. I want a 12 hour super cut about all the things he listed at the end that didn't get to talk about.
Appreciate the time stamps, The Intercooler.
James seems to have adopted the Jay Leno denim shirt. Very grateful to him and the entire staff for all the laughs over the years. Actually fell off my couch laughing a few times.
I’m not sure but I think it’s blue linen. I had the same thought
The third right, still my favourite😂