Critic Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.