James May: Our Man in...

The reason why James May: Our Man In India works is that May is curious, witty and humble, a fantastic combination for the host of a travel series.

While James May: Our Man In Japan gets as goofy as any other travel series, May’s sincere desire to get a feel for Japanese life is worth watching.

May’s musings are themselves far more interesting than the scenes in which he is required to take part in various activities, Generation Game-style, such as making a spicy shepherd’s pie or some clay pots. They drag. The producers should just have let him wander about and give in to the chaos.

I look forward to the day when May can relax and just be his own, non-Clarksonesque, non-Top Gear-affiliated man. When strenuously jocular interactions with the crew can be done away with, when he can refer to Prokofiev and penises without having to resile from either.