James May's 20th Century

Top Gear's James May has decided that history isn't just about Tudors and plagues. In this high-octane look at the 20th century's biggest technological advances, he puts his money where his mouth is.

Seeing the appendage 'Open University' before a programme used to mean a troupe of beardy weirdies mucking about with test tubes or a three hour documentary about the erosion of a rock filmed in real time. Not so, James May's 20th Century - you see, while the show has the stamp of approval from the nation's most honourable tower of learning, it's a great deal more fun than an educational show has any right to be. In fact you'll be laughing and grinning so hard you might not even notice you've learned anything until the next time you're playing a pub quiz.

So James May, him off Top Gear, has signed up to front a history show - that's a bit odd, you might think. Luckily James hasn't decided that tinkering with boys' toys is nothing compared to the thrill of a tweed jacket and elbow patches. Instead he's taking his love of speed and machines on a guided tour of the most exciting century in the history of technology. And even the most impressive of supercars is no match for the kind of vehicles he casts his eye over in the series' look at Space travel.

From transatlantic flight and supersonic travel to the rockets of Cape Canaveral, it soon becomes clear that James is stepping up a whole level in this show, and his glee at getting to grips with these groundbreaking machines is clear for all to see. He even gets a spin on a moon buggy - take that Clarkson.
It's not just petrolheads who got a buzz out of the 20th century; James also takes a look at the massive advances in medicine which meant people could stay alive long enough to enjoy it all. As if that wasn't enough James May's 20th Century also takes in everything from the lights of the world's biggest cities to the inventions that created the teenager: nylon, motorbikes and the electric guitar. A rock 'n' roll take on history, indeed.