James May: New Lego & Meccano Engineering Series

johncartlidge · January 29th, 2009, 7:43 AM

A new BBC engineering series starring James May is looking for architects and engineers to help create large scale projects from toys like LEGO and Meccano

http://www.nce.co.uk/news/2009/01/bb...engineers.html

kurthest · January 29th, 2009, 11:28 PM

That sounds really cool. Look forward to this, James May is just an excellent show host!

jensked · January 30th, 2009, 7:22 AM

The Repost!

http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear...ogramme-33552/

please

LindenChase · February 23rd, 2009, 6:02 PM

Well, eventually this series will need a thread of it's own and this seems the right place.

Apart from lego, James is also going to ~~play with~~ do a project with plasticine

.

James is going to make a garden out of the stuff - should go nice with the Lego house - and it will be part of the Chelsea Flower Show (19–23 May 2009). He will be assisted by Blue Peter garderner Chris Collins. Not a lot of publicity yet, but someone over at the James May Board spoke to James's agent and she confirmed it.

So dudes, surprise your mums and tell her you will take her out there for the day.

Cobol74 · February 23rd, 2009, 6:13 PM

What a character - James May FTW!

LindenChase · February 27th, 2009, 8:59 PM

It appears that filming for this series is underway!

Two twitters spotted James today. One guy spotted him on Clifton Suspension Bridge. (Not the place for him to be, considering his vertigo.) And another guy spotted him in the reception of Aardman. They are famous for doing plasticine animations.

LindenChase · March 4th, 2009, 10:23 PM

James was spotted by The Times as well. Oh, the glamorous world of television.

gemmiejewel · March 5th, 2009, 10:52 PM

Looking all windswept and lovely

LindenChase · March 12th, 2009, 11:24 AM

Some more information about the new series. Next to the Lego house, the Mecanno bridge and the Plasticine garden, he is apparently also going to link two villages by a large-scale Hornby train set and race a Scalextric car against a taxi.

The article by the way also mentions that James has signed a deal with Plum Pictures to produce all his TV projects apart from Top Gear. Good move, I think.

Alasondro Alegré · March 12th, 2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindenChase

Some more information about the new series. Next to the Lego house, the Mecanno bridge and the Plasticine garden, he is apparently also going to link two villages by a large-scale Hornby train set and race a Scalextric car against a taxi.

This is beginning to sound truly epic.

ftw!

LindenChase · March 12th, 2009, 1:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alasondro Alegré

This is beginning to sound truly epic.

It does, doesn't it? I noticed how in the article it says there will be 6 episodes. I wonder what the sixth project will be.

Edit: Airfix!

whodunnit · March 12th, 2009, 7:20 PM

man this is getting me a.l excited. thats all stuff i was into back in the day, and i stil.l build airfix models to this day.

LindenChase · March 13th, 2009, 10:46 AM

Another BBC press release. I can honestly say I'm looking more forward to this programme than any of the other series he did.

BBC Two to bring out the kid in us in James May's Toy Stories
Date: 12.03.2009
Category: Factual & Arts TV; BBC Two
James May is a man on a mission: he wants to get kids out of their bedrooms and away from their games consoles, he wants to drag parents off their backsides and get them all playing together again.

In James May's Toy Stories on BBC Two, he is going to take some of Britain's best-loved toys and put generations of families at the heart of some ludicrously ambitious adventures that will remind us all of the joys of making something together, with toys that have long captured the imagination.

Proving the best toys don't always need batteries, James's madcap toy adventures will see him using some of the best-loved toys of our generation, and reminding everyone that there's a big kid in all of us.

In each episode James and his team will be faced with a new toy challenge.

These include:

Attempting to build the world's first full-size house made entirely out of Lego bricks: he'll even try and plumb in and fearlessly road test a Lego loo, take a dip in a Lego bath and rest his weary head in a giant Lego bed...

Creating the world's first Plasticine garden – and entering his colourful fantasy for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. From the flowerbeds to the paths and the plants, James will use all 24 colours to make his fantasy come true...

Attempting to build a full size model Spitfire. Once built, he'll literally stop traffic as he navigates through narrow streets to its grand unveiling...

James also hopes to pit a Scalextric car against a taxi in a 1.6 mile race through a busy town centre...

He and his family of helpers are planning to build a lifesize bridge made entirely out of Meccano in one of Britain's most historic university cities – a world first; James will employ structural engineers as they get him to personally test the pressure point of his bridge...

And he hopes to build the world's greatest model train set to link two villages who have long since lost their railway.

James says: "For too long now we have regarded the great toys as mere playthings. It's time to use them to bring people together and achieve greatness. And I bet it'll be a right laugh as well."

The series was commissioned for BBC Two by Mark Linsey, Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, who says: "It will be exciting to see whether James can carry out each challenge he hopes to or whether this time he has taken on more than he can handle. Whatever the outcome, this series promises to be must see viewing that the whole family can enjoy."

The series will be Executive Produced for the BBC by Mirella Breda and for Plum Pictures by Will Daws (Equator, Power To The People) and Stuart Cabb (who oversaw Louis Theroux's return to BBC Two).

edkwon · March 18th, 2009, 4:51 PM

I like how James hate's the american name for Meccano, he says 'Erector' with such disdain.

Labcoatguy · March 19th, 2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edkwon

I like how James hate's the american name for Meccano, he says 'Erector' with such disdain.

Yeah, normally he likes names that have double entendre potential.

LindenChase · March 19th, 2009, 12:05 PM

There is going to be a book accompanying the series as well.

capra · March 20th, 2009, 2:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labcoatguy

Yeah, normally he likes names that have double entendre potential.

Maybe it's not subtle enough.

LindenChase · April 8th, 2009, 5:37 PM

Your help is needed. This is a video about the new programme, but I can't watch it, because it's UK only.

+ YouTube Video

Edit: Thanks to Tui over on the James May Board: http://www.sendspace.com/file/ck4n35.

It looks all rather brilliant. James better hurry, because on the 10th May he has to show his garden to the Queen.

Cowboy · April 8th, 2009, 7:53 PM

This could be realy good, amazing what some people can do with lego (and toys in general) these days, throw in some James May and you've got yourself a winner!

shellygrrl · April 8th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindenChase

It looks all rather brilliant. James better hurry, because on the 10th May he has to show his garden to the Queen.

And he'll be missing Thundersprint because of it.

Seriously, though; this does look like it'll be made of win.

January 29th, 2009, 7:43 AM	#1
johncartlidge Joined: Nov 5th, 2008 Last Online: November 19th, 2009 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	New Lego & Meccano Engineering Series A new BBC engineering series starring James May is looking for architects and engineers to help create large scale projects from toys like LEGO and Meccano http://www.nce.co.uk/news/2009/01/bb...engineers.html

January 29th, 2009, 11:28 PM	#2
kurthest Joined: Nov 4th, 2008 Last Online: 3:11 PM Location: Norway Posts: 282 Car: Audi A4 1.8T Rep Power: 10	That sounds really cool. Look forward to this, James May is just an excellent show host! __________________ "Clarkson! I know it's you, you insufferable oaf. I'm on the bloody Throne!" - James May "Spam is a high quality meat product" - James May "Is that bagpipes, or is it the sound of someone deflating a cat?" - Jeremy Clarkson Diesel? DIESEL? Why would I need diesel in my life? I'm not a farmer!

January 30th, 2009, 7:22 AM	#3
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: 4:46 PM Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 26 Posts: 4,056 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 49	The Repost! http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear...ogramme-33552/ please __________________ Last edited by jensked; January 30th, 2009 at 7:23 AM.

February 23rd, 2009, 6:02 PM	#4
LindenChase Not A Dude Joined: Nov 28th, 2007 Last Online: 5:47 PM Posts: 1,003 Rep Power: 65	Well, eventually this series will need a thread of it's own and this seems the right place. Apart from lego, James is also going to ~~play with~~ do a project with plasticine . James is going to make a garden out of the stuff - should go nice with the Lego house - and it will be part of the Chelsea Flower Show (19–23 May 2009). He will be assisted by Blue Peter garderner Chris Collins. Not a lot of publicity yet, but someone over at the James May Board spoke to James's agent and she confirmed it. So dudes, surprise your mums and tell her you will take her out there for the day. __________________ "I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't." James May

February 23rd, 2009, 6:13 PM	#5
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 10:50 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,592 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	What a character - James May FTW! __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

February 27th, 2009, 8:59 PM	#6
LindenChase Not A Dude Joined: Nov 28th, 2007 Last Online: 5:47 PM Posts: 1,003 Rep Power: 65	It appears that filming for this series is underway! Two twitters spotted James today. One guy spotted him on Clifton Suspension Bridge. (Not the place for him to be, considering his vertigo.) And another guy spotted him in the reception of Aardman. They are famous for doing plasticine animations. __________________ "I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't." James May Last edited by LindenChase; February 27th, 2009 at 10:19 PM.

March 4th, 2009, 10:23 PM	#7
LindenChase Not A Dude Joined: Nov 28th, 2007 Last Online: 5:47 PM Posts: 1,003 Rep Power: 65	James was spotted by The Times as well. Oh, the glamorous world of television. __________________ "I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't." James May

March 5th, 2009, 10:52 PM	#8
gemmiejewel Joined: Mar 21st, 2007 Last Online: August 15th, 2009 Location: Wales Age: 27 Posts: 5 Car: Mini Rep Power: 0	Looking all windswept and lovely __________________

March 12th, 2009, 11:24 AM	#9
LindenChase Not A Dude Joined: Nov 28th, 2007 Last Online: 5:47 PM Posts: 1,003 Rep Power: 65	Some more information about the new series. Next to the Lego house, the Mecanno bridge and the Plasticine garden, he is apparently also going to link two villages by a large-scale Hornby train set and race a Scalextric car against a taxi. The article by the way also mentions that James has signed a deal with Plum Pictures to produce all his TV projects apart from Top Gear. Good move, I think. __________________ "I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't." James May

March 12th, 2009, 7:20 PM	#12
whodunnit Joined: Nov 9th, 2007 Last Online: November 19th, 2009 Posts: 84 Rep Power: 13	man this is getting me a.l excited. thats all stuff i was into back in the day, and i stil.l build airfix models to this day.

March 13th, 2009, 10:46 AM	#13
LindenChase Not A Dude Joined: Nov 28th, 2007 Last Online: 5:47 PM Posts: 1,003 Rep Power: 65	Another BBC press release. I can honestly say I'm looking more forward to this programme than any of the other series he did. BBC Two to bring out the kid in us in James May's Toy Stories Date: 12.03.2009 Category: Factual & Arts TV; BBC Two James May is a man on a mission: he wants to get kids out of their bedrooms and away from their games consoles, he wants to drag parents off their backsides and get them all playing together again. In James May's Toy Stories on BBC Two, he is going to take some of Britain's best-loved toys and put generations of families at the heart of some ludicrously ambitious adventures that will remind us all of the joys of making something together, with toys that have long captured the imagination. Proving the best toys don't always need batteries, James's madcap toy adventures will see him using some of the best-loved toys of our generation, and reminding everyone that there's a big kid in all of us. In each episode James and his team will be faced with a new toy challenge. These include: Attempting to build the world's first full-size house made entirely out of Lego bricks: he'll even try and plumb in and fearlessly road test a Lego loo, take a dip in a Lego bath and rest his weary head in a giant Lego bed... Creating the world's first Plasticine garden – and entering his colourful fantasy for the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. From the flowerbeds to the paths and the plants, James will use all 24 colours to make his fantasy come true... Attempting to build a full size model Spitfire. Once built, he'll literally stop traffic as he navigates through narrow streets to its grand unveiling... James also hopes to pit a Scalextric car against a taxi in a 1.6 mile race through a busy town centre... He and his family of helpers are planning to build a lifesize bridge made entirely out of Meccano in one of Britain's most historic university cities – a world first; James will employ structural engineers as they get him to personally test the pressure point of his bridge... And he hopes to build the world's greatest model train set to link two villages who have long since lost their railway. James says: "For too long now we have regarded the great toys as mere playthings. It's time to use them to bring people together and achieve greatness. And I bet it'll be a right laugh as well." The series was commissioned for BBC Two by Mark Linsey, Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, who says: "It will be exciting to see whether James can carry out each challenge he hopes to or whether this time he has taken on more than he can handle. Whatever the outcome, this series promises to be must see viewing that the whole family can enjoy." The series will be Executive Produced for the BBC by Mirella Breda and for Plum Pictures by Will Daws (Equator, Power To The People) and Stuart Cabb (who oversaw Louis Theroux's return to BBC Two). __________________ "I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't." James May

March 18th, 2009, 4:51 PM	#14
edkwon Joined: Nov 21st, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Chibi J-Town Posts: 2,989 Car: Korean family car Rep Power: 39	I like how James hate's the american name for Meccano, he says 'Erector' with such disdain.

March 19th, 2009, 12:05 PM	#16
LindenChase Not A Dude Joined: Nov 28th, 2007 Last Online: 5:47 PM Posts: 1,003 Rep Power: 65	There is going to be a book accompanying the series as well. __________________ "I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't." James May Last edited by LindenChase; March 19th, 2009 at 12:06 PM.

April 8th, 2009, 7:53 PM	#19
Cowboy Joined: Mar 31st, 2009 Last Online: 4:13 PM Location: Belgium Posts: 538 Car: Dodge Ram Rep Power: 15	This could be realy good, amazing what some people can do with lego (and toys in general) these days, throw in some James May and you've got yourself a winner! Last edited by Cowboy; April 8th, 2009 at 7:55 PM.

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