Jay Blades: The West End Through Time - Season 1
Season 1
Episodes
Episode 1
In the first episode, Jay hops in a black cab and goes ‘Up West' to discover how the West End of London began. Starting his journey in St Martins-in-the Field Church in Trafalgar Square, Jay hears how an incredible discovery made in 2006 changed people's opinions of the origins of London.
Fast-forwarding to the 17th Century when things really got going in the West End, he traces back to the visionary Henry Jermyn, whose ambitious building development close to St James's Palace, transformed fields into homes for the country's most wealthy, earning himself the name the ‘founder of the West End'.
Next, Jay visits one of his favourite luxury food stores, Fortnum & Mason, to find out how it fits into the West End's long history of shopping, and learns of its humble origins, selling the Queen's discarded candles, and he samples some of their most iconic products, including scotch eggs which they claim to have invented.
A visit to the West End wouldn't be complete without a theatre trip, so Jay pops into Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, to find out how theatreland all started thanks to Charles II.
Going out in the West End you'd need to wear your glad rags, so Jay pays a visit to one of the area's oldest tailors, Henry Poole & Co, on Saville Row, to hear how the road became known as the Golden Mile of Tailoring.
Over lunch at Wiltons, Jay gets a taste of how restaurants first started in Britain and how there was nowhere better for fine dining than the West End. He finishes up in Hyde Park, one of the West End's Royal Parks, that attracted wealthy West Enders who wanted to show off the latest fashions.
Episode 2
In episode two, Jay learns how the West End went from an area for the very wealthy, to a place for all. His first stop is the West End's most iconic junction, Piccadilly Circus. Busy around the clock, Jay uncovers the origins of its world-famous lights, an advertisers dream dating back to the end of the 19th century.
Next, Jay visits London's oldest hotel, Browns, where he has a snoop around their most exclusive suite. He hears how people flocked from all over the world to the luxurious hotels on offer in the West End.
Jay takes a ride on the London Underground, getting off at Baker Street, one of the first stations. Opening in 1863, the world's first ever underground railway line was a game-changer for the West End, opening it up to the masses, and the area flourished like never before.
On Oxford Street, Jay learns about the history of the world-renowned department store, Selfridges, that revolutionised shopping, making the West End the destination for spending your cash, and also spending a penny in the first ladies' toilets in a shop!
When WW2 struck, even the West End had to blackout, but at the Dorchester Hotel, Jay discovers how the glitz and the glamour carried on despite the bombs dropping, and he hears how a group of East Enders protesting at Savoy hotel, opened up bomb shelters in the East End.
Over his favourite Chinese meal, Jay makes the shocking discovery that London's Chinatown was originally in the East End, and only set up home in the West End after the docks had been heavily bombed. And finally, retracing his steps as a teenager out on the town in Soho, Jay finds out that the area saw the birth of the very first British night clubs.
Recently Updated Shows
Murdoch Mysteries
Set in Toronto at the dawn of the 20th century, Murdoch Mysteries is a one-hour drama series that explores the intriguing world of William Murdoch, a methodical and dashing detective who pioneers innovative forensic techniques to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders. Murdoch's colleagues include the love of his life, coroner and psychiatrist Dr. Julia Ogden, a staunch ally who shares the detective's fascination for science; Constable George Crabtree, Murdoch's eager but sometimes naïve right-hand man; Inspector Brackenreid, Murdoch's skeptical yet reluctantly supportive boss; and coroner Dr. Emily Grace, Dr. Ogden's protégé.
NCIS
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it's a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, leads this troupe of colorful personalities. Rounding out the team are Anthony DiNozzo, an ex-homicide detective whose instincts in the field are unparalleled and whose quick wit and humorous take on life make him a team favorite; the youthful and energetic forensic specialist Abby Sciuto, a talented scientist whose sharp mind matches her Goth style and eclectic tastes; Caitlin Todd, an ex-Secret Service Agent; and Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate whose brilliance with computers far overshadows his insecurities in the field; Assisting the team is medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, who knows it all because he's seen it all, and he's not afraid to let you know. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents travel the globe to investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.
The Rookie
The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.