James May's 20th Century

infobox television
show_name = James May's 20th Century
genre = Documentary


runtime = 29 minutes (approx)
starring = James May
executive_producer = Phil Dolling
country = United Kingdom
network = BBC Two
first_aired = 10 July 2007
last_aired = 24 July 2007
num_episodes = 6
imdb_id = 1076180|

"James May's 20th Century" is a television series first aired on 10 July 2007 on the British terrestrial channel BBC Two. The series is a co-production by the BBC and the Open University.

The series covers various inventions and discoveries over the past century with some reference to discoveries made before the past century. The show features the eponymous James May, exhibiting and discussing the implications of many of the major advances and inventions made during this period. Each episode features some theme, which was discussed in depth during the show, often following sequential advances in chronological order. The programme is now shown on UKTV Documentary and Dave

Critical reviews

Sam Wollaston writing for Guardian Unlimited described James May's 20th Century as "essentially Top Gear, masquerading as something educational" but conceded that if "teaching history can be achieved through Top Gear, then maybe that's not such a bad thing". [cite news |first= Sam |last= Wollaston |title= Last night's TV: James May's 20th Century |url= http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/07/last_nights_tv_james_mays_20th.html |work= Guardian Unlimited Arts Blog |publisher= Guardian News and Media Limited |date= 11 July 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-08 ] The New Statesman thought that James May was "ill-suited to the task in hand" and described the biggest problem as May being unable to "put his wretched motors behind him". [cite news |title= Toys for the boys: why has this silly man been given his own, eponymous programme? |publisher= New Statesman |date= 23 July 2007] The Lancashire Telegraph wrote positively of the show praising the presenter May as "someone with genuine enthusiasm for what they were doing." [cite news |first= John |last= Anson |title= James May's 20th Century: BBC2 |url= http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/leisure/tvreviews/display.var.1534193.0.james_mays_20th_century_bbc2.php |work= The Lancashire Telegraph |publisher= Newsquest Media Group |date= 11 July 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-08 ]

Ratings

The six episodes were originally aired in 3 double-bills on BBC Two in a Tuesday 8pm to 9pm timeslot. Episodes 1 & 2 both attracted 2.4 million viewers and a 12% share. Episodes 5 & 6 received slightly less with 1.9 million and 2.3 million viewers, and respective shares of 10% and 12%. The programme finished behind BBC One and ITV1 but ahead of Channel 4 and five. [cite news |first= Stephen |last= Brooke |title= Cape Wrath hits choppy waters |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/jul/11/overnights |work= Media Guardian |publisher= Guardian News and Media Limited |date= 11 July 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-25 ] [cite news |first= Leigh |last= Holmwood |title= Posh outshines Becks in ratings |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/jul/25/overnights.tvratings |work= Media Guardian |publisher= Guardian News and Media Limited |date= 25 July 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-25 ]

Episodes

Original Air Dates:

* 10 Jul 2007 - Episode 1 - Honey, I Shrunk The World
* 10 Jul 2007 - Episode 2 - Blast Off
* 17 Jul 2007 - Episode 3 - Body Fantastic
* 17 Jul 2007 - Episode 4 - Take Cover
* 24 Jul 2007 - Episode 5 - Inventing The Teenager
* 24 Jul 2007 - Episode 6 - Big City, Bright Lights

References