James is back on TV with the first in a new series of his drinking adventures with Oz Clarke. You might remember the idea started out as a wine-tasting masterclass for James’ apparently uncivilised palette, with the pair smoking around the vineyards of France in an old Jag studying grapes and alcohol.
(You can go and listen to James and Oz talking about their show on Simon Mayo’s Five Live show via that handy link.)
This time, though, James has a fighting chance against Oz’s condescending and slightly poncy remarks – as well as wine, they’ll be sipping (or gulping) beer, cider and gin. And the show’s based on a tour of – wait for it – Britain. That’s got to hurt after the California jaunt for the last series…
Still, it does make it even easier for James to make his words all slurry – and the closer you get to the end credits in each of their shows, the more slurry he gets.
There is some informative stuff, too: a micro-brewery tour, maltings visit and, we’re told, a good old-fashioned pub crawl along a railway line, giving the boys a chance to leave the car parked up for the night.
Oh yes, the car. James has picked a 1982 Rolls Royce Corniche for the trip – and, as you’ll probably remember, him and James are sharing a caravan for the entire time. Not enough beer in the world for that, is there?
Anyway, you can see what happens for yourself tonight on BBC Two at 8pm – look out for the imaginative title ‘Oz and James Drink to Britain’. If you want an early taster, there’s a clip on the BBC’s website – and, as with Hammond’s latest telly adventures, don’t forget to pop back to our Transmission blog after the show to tell us what you thought…
This series looks ok, but not half as good as the last one.Oh, and will someone please enable the video playback for other countries? Please?
hopefully more of james telling oz clark what a wine ponce and a cock he is
cnat wait
loved the previous ones
Yeah, will watch it; seems the BBC are jumping on the TG boys own adventures ethos; with 3 men in a boat, 3 men in more than one boat, and now 2 men in a caravan – in a few years, it’ll be ‘3 men in various dead forms of transport’ (seaspeed hovercraft, concorde, APT, QE2; basically everything us brits used to be the best in the world at). Having said that, the TG boys aren’t getting any younger – they all have extremely high milage – they’ll be clapped out in 10 years. What I’d LOVE to see would be the return of real heroism, bravery, inginuity. Let Clarkson and Hammond really get stuck-in to the drama documentary field; the kind of thing which made ‘Inventions that changed the world’ and ‘Guy Fawkes – Gunpowder Plot’ such unmissable shows! They’d love it – we’d love it.
Ooooh I am certainly looking forward to this tonight!
If I get my Physics homework done in time that is…I hate projectile motion… stupid school
I’m sure this will be as goos as all the other ones they have done, the advert looks good
Loved the last two series, so can’t wait for this one. Will certainly help with the already quite bad TG withdrawals! xxx
As a viewer, whatever I may be watching; comedy, drama, documentary, horror, sci-fi; I only look for one thing. IS IT INSPIRING?
Is the presenter genuinely inspiring, or the editing, or the locations, or the plot, or the acting? Can the subject matter hold and capture my god-given unique imagination?
Alien, Aliens – yes, Alien 3 – no.
Greatest raid of all time – yes,
James May’s 20th Century – no.
It doesn’t always have to be hot and spicy, or gripping for that matter, or even plain informative. Hollywood effects? Bla… It doesn’t have to cost, but it has to FEEL.
Woo! Watching now. James seriously needs to loosen up ad allow a hug for crying out loud.
i missed it
i will watch it on iplayer thats what its for! 
I enjoyed it immensley. I thought that it would not be as good as the previous wine series but after this first episode, it looks to be a nice little watch every Tuesday night.
I have always liked James’ and Jeremy’s shows they have independantly filmed and now with Richards childrens show and ‘Total Wipeout’ it looks as if you are all showing your true presenting/programming skills.
All the best.
I’m still trying to work out how the Alien Trilogy can be compared to James May’s 20th Century.
A Joy to see the Rolls Royce Corniche RUF 15X a car that i have driven as it was owned by my employer twice in the late eighties, a great show my two favourite things Beer and a Beautiful Car.
Gotta say for the first episode that was great.
Wilma (No. 6),
Inspiring is a great word for this series. I’ve watched the other 2 series religiously and this one looks like more of the same.
I have to admit I’m a lager drinker but I think I’ll try an ale the next time I’m in the pub. I’ll try not to make the smelling of the beer too abvious,though.
The other thing about the Oz & James stuff is it’s always done in the Summer.
You find yourself watching, longing for the weather and keen to try whatever they’ve been talking about drink. Yes, inspired is a great word for it.
One of the other things about the show which I find very endearing is they aren’t always completely sober whe they’re doing it, which can be as interesting as it is funny. The seem to be genuinely good friends, too.
I’m so glad this is back on.
And yes, The Greatest Raid of All Time is one of the best things on TV for the past 10 years.
Nice to see that video… Oh, no, wait, I’m not from the UK… Thanks, BBC.
I fell in love with their new show!
James looked more gorgeous more than ever and he looks good with a tan
Oz should stop interfering with James. Good thing he didn’t touch James.
I’ll watch it next week.
Blasphemy!!
James in a caravan??
Whats the point of him destroying all these caravans on Top Gear and then sleeping in one for this Wine Tasting adventure?
Thanks to Internet Magic[tm], I got ahold of this, and it’s lovely. Beer is good! And remember, good beer is always a better deal than good wine. And hops are a member of the Cannabis family. Cheers!
I’m trying to locate their last season when they were navigating their land yacht around my neck of the woods – California wine country. The thought that I might’ve been stuck behind their big RV on 101 is especially amusing.
I loved the show. But I didnt know James liked beer that much & Oz Clarke is funny aswell. Loved their old Rolls Royce oh & their stupid little caravan was proper funny I bet Jeremy & Richard will be taking the piss.
When are James and Oz gonna do a wine series Down Under????
That episode was a true delight! I enjoyed it tremendously and can’t wait for the next episode but that will be one I’ll be watching with a ping of Guinness in my hand!
PINT PINT of Guinness not Ping of Guinness… see I’m already drunk before seeing it…
the show was soooo funny. i couldnt stop laughing all the way thought it. i cant belive how drunk they got
Bloody funny. But someone stop them doing the cod Yorkshire stuff – if I hear one more ‘t’ (as in t’consumption, t’mill) pronounced, I’ll scream.
(And I thought it looked like the most relaxed piece of presenting James has ever done. Not, I suppose, you can do a lot else when you’re being filmed and you’re half mullered…)
Slurry – thought that was something farmers put on fields? Or possibly even a county in which TG is filmed?
Paid to drink beer!
Captain Clever…
watched it last night, was v.funny
So bored right now. Wanted to watch a video, one of the ones in Botswana and it won’t let me on, ‘internet explorer error’ apparently.
Yeah right.
Back in the dim and murky past, James May developed the idea of being ’sensible’; which to him means meticulously maintaining comfort zones with a dry wit and staunch personality. While these attributes can make rather dull telly in themselves, they make for the perfect ’straight man’ to Oz’s charismatic and flamboyant nature in this BBC series. After a self-conscious start, Oz soon gets under James’ shell, and the duo bounce off each other as all good double-acts (or triple-acts) should.
Apart from the odd moments of sublime ’sensibleness’, the latest in the Oz and James saga whips along at a good pace, with genuine funny moments and tipsy shenanigans to amuse and bemuse us. Once again, Oz’s authentic love of taste-bud sensing and nostril navel gazing soon inspire both James as well as the audience, even without the catalogue of beer facts some viewers may have hoped for.
As such, as a factual programme OZ and James Drink To Britain makes a rather thin and bumbling attempt. As an entertainment show, this bumbling lies at the core of what will surely make an interesting and light-hearted circle in the Tuesday evenings listings.
Great juxtaposition! Uptight vs unashamed. But, as they get drunk, the roles reverse; and now Oz becomes the staunch one as James becomes more entertaining. Not TV gold (so far), but at least solid TV silver!
I enjoyed it alot. I loved the rail station pub crawl and how beautiful and lush everything was during the summer. James has the right idea. Beer doesn’t need to be complicated. It needs to be enjoyed to it’s fullest – in your mouth, stomach, and head. I love a good beer. The bickering between them was hilarious. Can’t wait to see next week’s show too.
brilliant show enjoyed it very much
railway pub crawl looked like fun must try it …. then try it again and again!!!!
will definately do till TG keep it up chaps
For some reason that last thread is missing text
should be
Railway pub crawl looked good fun must try it and try it again and again
Really enjoye this show and can’t wait to see next Tuesday’s episode.
I remembered trying to log on to the Tan Hill Inn’s webcam when I received information telling me that was where the guys were filming, thankfully I wasn’t able to, as it would have destroyed what I saw.
Looking forward to the Wigan brewery episode and also the Worcestershire one.
If you read this guys, Robinsons brewerey make a cracking couple of beers, come and give them a try too.
Really enjoye this show and can’t wait to see next Tuesday’s episode.
I remembered trying to log on to the Tan Hill Inn’s webcam when I received information telling me that was where the guys were filming, thankfully I wasn’t able to, as it would have destroyed what I saw.
Looking forward to the Wigan brewery episode and also the Worcestershire one.
Really enjoyed the first episode. Although it has given me an unexplanable craving for a pint even though I don’t drink beer.
James has the right attitude though. Wine is for talking about – beer is for getting down your neck and enjoying.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Loved James and Oz’s other programmes specially the one in California, all that sunshine and wine just makes you want to be there. This one has started well and should be very entertaining. Would love to go on a good beer session with both those guys, it would be a real laugh. Looking forward to the next episode.
A reviewer in my local paper criticised the latest Oz and James caper for lack of content.
Fat Head! That’s the whole point. I don’t want an in depth look at the science of beer making. I want two gents bouncing around Britain in a roller; I want a dodgy caravan, wit, wine poncery and a bloke with excellent taste in shirts.
Oz and James, I raise a tumbler full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene to you.
(PS: How did the malted milk biscuits turn out?)
pleeeeease film the next in Italy pleeeeeease.
I just love you all. Apart the copyright stuff office, “youre not in the uk you can’t see videos etc etc etc” “you can see only the version with a man miming what is happening.In black and white”
cheers
Thanks for this unique series, it show that even the beautiful jewel do usu to go to toilet.
This is sweet and real
Aladesemipe Oyekanmi
Motoring Editor,
Nigeria Autotrader Magazine
Excellent show, I loved every minute of it. Can’t believe James was on time and Oz was late!!!!! I hadn’t realised that it was only a 30 minute show so was very disappointed when the credits started to roll up. The BBC have short changed you both on this one.
when will Hugh Laurie come at Top Gear as a guest?? (the one from House M.D.)
They’ve done wine in France and the USA and now beer in the UK next I think they should do Vodka in Russia!
I think they should get Maybachs and Phantoms on there…
I loved the first two series of the wine adventure – despite not drinking wine – and this series looks set to have me glued to the telly just as firmly but I just have one little concern/amused observation.
Oz is clearly in love with James.
I mean there’s male bonding – and god knows TG itself has walked the fine line between team bonding and the love that dare not speak it’s name (don’t even deny it, I have eyes) – but if I see Oz look lovingly and adoringly at James one more time I’m going to have to get them a room, and there ain’t enough beer in the world to deal with that.
Bravo gentlemen. Oh and there’s something very sweet and disturbingly sexy about James when he’s pissed; just so you know!
Re No 43 …… “Oh and there’s something very sweet and disturbingly sexy about James when he’s pissed”. YES, YES, YES, I AGREE!!!
I’ll put this on each new blog as it arrives, until we get a new Foreman blog.
This is a thank-you to all those who contributed to the Barack Obama (Foreman) blog back in November – especially Paul Horrell who wrote it, Tom Servo, Conor, Keith, Catersam, Morty, Tikka wrap, Evan, Carfan3, topgearmouse and Ash
Claverton Energy Research Group:
http://www.claverton-ener gy.com/download/289/
It’s also why both May and Clarkson have made a dreadful mistake regarding the immediate future of car fuels
Cheers
James must have loved this chance to get pissed on some of his favourite alcoholic stuff:) There’s something cute about James when he gets sloshed.
I love that James and Oz still bicker like a married couple. It makes it a rather funny but informative show:)
Hey people. I know this is off topic but….
I am doing an advertising course. Want i would like to know is your true views and opinions on Eco-friendly cars. Please tell me if you hate, love, loath or crave them.
Your thoughts will really help me
p.s i watch the last series it was entertaining cnt wait to catch up with the new one.
Episode 2: Well that was over in a flash; I feel half an hour is way too short for this kind of show – just about to get into it when it ends. I suppose thats the point. The first thing I would need to do to make this a thrilling joyride of a journey would be to edit all 6 shows together into one 3 hour film; and thanks to modern technology I can do that. Just as well, as unlike shows such as Who Do You Think You Are, this is not DVD material (unless it could be bought on the cheap through this web site…
)
Do Oz and James deliberately make this show as homosexual as possible, or is it a happy accident?
I’m really enjoying the new series!
Nice to see one of my ‘haunts’ on T.V. The Pub Oz and James visited on the Northumberland coast is called the Ship Inn, and it’s at Low-Newton-By the Sea. Fantastic pub, and great food.
If you read this James, I have a question.
My other half raves on about a beer called “Adelscott.”
He found out about it whilst he was holidaying as a teenager in France. The beer itself is a combination of malt whiskey and beer. Have you tried it?
He’s only been able to get Adelscott abroad, but on his last booze cruise was unable to find it anywhere.
If anyone knows if it is still available, or where he can get it from, he’d love to know.
Looking forward to the next episode….
No i dont
James you have such an enviable job not only do you get paidfor drinking you also work with the yummiest man ever, Richard Hammond!!! jammy so and so! love the show xx
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES 4 TOMORROW!!!!!!!!
Loving this show, wish it was longer than half an hour though. Would have liked to see them in the Lake District, as there are good local beers here also. They might come here for something else later in the series – here’s hoping.
I agree with previous comments, James is rather a cute drunk but then I am slightly biased!
Oz and James are a bit like a UK version of “the odd couple” the way they bicker so!
yet another string to the captains bow,i just hope they do the decent thing with the caravan when they have finished with it(in a top gear stylee). captain… keep up the good work
this show is getting better
I love it tooo!!!!
I just loved the way James gets rid of Oz’s pants.
It’s pretty fine
Great show BUT is it me or is James liking the caravan a little too much hmmmmmmm wonder what the boys will have to say about that!
can’t wait for this tuesday’s episode
So then Mr May you do have a dark side! We all need to look into the dark side of our nature – that’s where the energy is, the passion. People are afraid of that because it holds pieces of us we’re busy denying, be not afraid.
Still loving the show but 30 minutes is still way too short.
Well we’ve had OZ and his pint quilt ,their lovely fake plastic flowers and now tonight James in rollers under the dryer! Boys is there anything you want to tell us? Brokeback Caravaners? But I loved it!
Yesterday’s episode was funny
James at the hairdressers
Looked weird but wonderfully funny
Wished to see more of that often
james why did you tow that little sprite caravan with wing mirror extentions on your rolls royce.the car is wide enough that these are not required. i have towed with an audi a6 and a vw touran and not required these devices so on a wider car and ,except for silly narrow caravans,why did you ues these mirrors.is it because you know no better and it seemed the thing to do.
Can we people who are currently not situated in the UK have the pleasure of watching the posted videos Please.. The old site used to allow you to watch all the videos and also had the little flags on the american site where you could go to the UK site etc. Why did they take it off the american site?I hate the American site because its late..I have seen/read all that already..Autralian site…Well couldnt be bother to check, there’s must be still stuck on season 3..so Please topgear let blokes from the US get access to the UK vids…Thank you.
I am beggin James, pl get a propper haircut unless u want 2 appear in a horror movie.
Get 1 like Hammonds. Actually thas not possible.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Now thats worse than that horror film the excorcist. 2 the person called Mayfan, please, please, please tell me y oh y in hell do u think that? There must be SOME good reason. no offence. Im so bored.
Hey! Just finished watching the re-runs on signzone as I missed the end of the series on regular telly!
Marvelous show, James was brilliant, Rolls was brilliant, drink was brilliant, Oz was…well.. Oz! (but brilliant too, in his own special way!)
You must make another series!
Lily
To comments 43 & 44, James may is pretty sexy whether he be pi**ed or not, def my fave of the TG3.
Lily
used to love the Hamster …. have defected to May – any time, any place, any where!!! Hmmmmm ..
oh cock
Thanks for getting in my way last week in that classic rally.
I had set out to ride Collobra but it was shut due to the bloddy rally. Then tried to get over Soller but it was also shut. Coppers wouldnt let me go through the tunnel. so had to put a two hour loop in nto get back to my hotel in the dark.