The unfinished Northern line 

You couldn't tell that this is almost ten years old

You can't say that many RU-vid videos are still good in 2019 that were uploaded in 2009 this a one

can't believe Unfinished London started over 12 years ago, and still going strong, with a strong average of just under 1 episode a year

What I find the most impressive is that he applied all the tricks and standards of a current good video but 13 years ago, all at once and before everybody else. No wonder it's hard to believe this video is from 2009.

It’s really hard to believe that this video is over 10 years old. I really think this should be a TV series here in the UK.

RU-vid: want to see about the unfinished Northern line Me, an american 10 years in the future: *yes*

this video is absolutely wild, and shows just how ahead of his time Jay actually was/is. 2009 had almost no content on YT of this quality, like functionally zero. it would in fact be literally 5 or more years before this style of mini-documentary would start taking off in popularity. It also pays attention to things like sound quality (a better microphone than most YT channels today, at the time this must have been almost unique), tons of smash cutting which was only around this time beginning to see use, and humor that stands up to the test of time today. fucking mindblowing that while most of the YT video catalogue at this time was still home videos and funny animal/prank videos Jay was producing extremely watchable mini-docs/video essay style content with tricks that wouldn't become commonplace for almost a decade after. Most videos on YT weren't even 720p during this era, but this one is. The standard at the time was still 480 and some channels were still uploading in 240. edit: his use of a lav mic was also pretty uncommon in this era- But you can definitely see the hallmarks of what kind of shots he likes lol. Jay goddamn loves the 'walking towards the camera from down the road' shots.

Today, it has been 13 years since this video was uploaded, but I still find the video excellent.

I love that Jay just casually trespasses on the M1's central reservation for this video. Powerful chaotic energy.

I love this series. It's too bad it's....unfinished.

At 3:45 there was a perfect opportunity to say, "Bushey Heath, which is now, a healthy bush."

jay's entire vibe is summed up in the 3 second clip of him running down the central reservation of the M1 shouting about tubes and the war

Just chiming in to say that your series has lasted longer than Game of Thrones and is more consistently entertaining, and I think you should be proud of that fact.

dude this channel is so underrated

“Do you want your house knocked down?” “Nooo”

I love how you couldn't possibly tell how old a Jay Foreman video is without being told. Timelessness is one of the truest marks of quality.

Jay's Grandmother: "No!" Well that's settled now isn't it?

Why is this not on TV? It legitimately would be a great programme

Happy Birthday Unfinished London!!! 🎉🎉🎉

He already had _it_ back in 2009. Just a great infotainer

The fact that he mentioned Crossrail 10 years ago puts into perspective how long its taken them to open a railway line

The man hasn’t aged in the last ten years

It's really interesting to see the Crossrail featured in the list of planning imperfections now, in 2022, when the Elizabeth line is opening.

It‘s 14 YEARS old!!! It came out when I WAS 1, but it sounds like it‘s from today, it will always sound like just released!

really wish the BBC would pick this guy up for a miniseries. imagine just a huge slew o these to fill gaps in programming, or as a standalone. would be masterful.

2:57 can we just appreciate how smooth a transition that was? This entire video was so ahead of its time when it comes to standards on RU-vid. The only thing that gives away that it's old is that he is wearing an older style pair of pants. That's it really.

I've watched this video countless times and I'm still blown away by the absolute quality of every part. At posting, this video is 13 years old and I would still believe that this was uploaded last week.

I love how 13 years later his style is still just as fresh and irreverent. As polished as the videos are now, I'm amazed how well done they were to begin with.

That moment you realize Tom Scott worked on this video.

The only thing giving away the age of the video may be Jay's pants

This is from 2009 wtf?! RU-vid has changed so much but Jay was always a forerunner

For an anniversary you should go to the places you visited in the video and see how they have changed in the past 14 years

8:02 - "Scuse me mate, can you get off my fucking car"

Fun fact: According to the credits, Tom Scott created the Titles Animation.

A timeless classic!

Wow, Bushey Heath is now just a bushy heath.

You totally should bring this series back, it's amazing, especially after those images at the end!

The bit with the grandma is superb

Can we just appreciate how this video came out in 2009 featuring a sample from 21st Century Schizoid Man, and survived all these years without being nuked form orbit by The Fripp

I thought this was a new video and I was wondering why jay looked about 20!

"And this nature reserve I'm currently trespassing on" - oh I do love the UK

It’s official. This man does not age.

I was three when this was released. Jay’s content was so innovative back then, so that it stays relevant now.

He cracked the formula on the first go

2:56 That lorry was perfectly timed.

Trespassing on the M1 central reservation, lol.

Your videos are f*cking excellent. Watching from España

3:38 Can tell its 13 years old fuel cost £1 a litre for gods sake

You should get in contact with the BBC and make a full-blown series of Unfinished London. Or maybe widen the scope and make it Unfinished Britain. I bet the ABC or SBS would be happy to broadcast it down here in Australia.

This is what RU-vid has been made for.

He’s literally exactly the same in this video as he is today ffs, humour, appearance, voice and content. This was released 12 years ago and is better than most RU-vid videos released today

Made in a time when it was still legal to run on the motorway, really shows the age of this piece

I actually didn't notice this was from 2009, it looks like a modern video, great quality from 10 years ago wow

This series reminds me of a BBC series that we would have watched at school.

14 years, absolutely flown by.

This man had editing of this caliber 13 years ago and still has only 1M followers? Criminally underrated.

"Imagine if Suburbia, as in a third of all the homes in London, had been built by the 'architects' of the sixties?" Welcome to Tel Aviv.

I've watched this series several times over the years, and each time I'm more impressed by the quality and professionalism of the writing, presentation, direction, and editing. So far beyond the vast majority of RU-vid content.

This video holds up so well, I didn’t even realise it was 12 years old until I saw young Jay.

Me: sees Video from Jay uploaded 12… ago Still me: started watching Jays the video after sending kids away, giving wife money for shopping, making popcorn and setting up tv and audio in special mode for Jays videos. Me realising I saw it: oh, it’s 12 years ago, not minutes, and I saw it about 500 times. Me after watching the video: still worth it.

All jokes aside, this is a great series that I would love to see more on RU-vid. Deep research, unique style of presentation and a great sense of humour... I'm lovin' this

It never occurred to me that houses used to be built with front gardens that the house occupier could showcase for passers-by to see only for them to be later turned into driveways. Nowadays, it's standard to have a house built with a driveway that is also home to a little garden that house occupiers pay little to no attention to. It's sad when you think about it 😞☹️😥

You can tell this is 13 years old. The lack of modern cars, Jay looks 13 years younger.

"and this nature reserve I'm currently trespassing on" 💀💀

You can literally tell this was filmed so many years ago by the fact that his jeans are actually letting some air in, instead of this almost leggings everyone seems to be wearing today in London.

Mate, this video is simply AWESOME!! I love the quirky and semi-guerrilla presentation style and the research you've clearly put into this particular video, this was fascinating and a really clear look at what could have been. I've subscribed...

I just discovered this channel and I'm genuinely blown away. As an Italian who was ready to move to London before a certain referendum, and who is going to resume visiting and exploring the city as many times as possible as soon as it's feasible, I find all these little gems of trivia truly a joy to learn about - and I'm taking notes to go and see them firsthand. I may just go ahead and cancel Netflix as I binge-watch everything you've posted. Thank you! (The look on guy's face at 8:05 had me laughing hard!)

I'm currently on my nth rewatch of Unfinished London and I still love it in 2024. Thank you Jay Foreman.

3:40. Am unreasonably happy that the car's reg includes "CAR" :')

This is good content! 7 years old, but very good content even for todays standards! Back then most videos didn't have this much production value did they? I love it

Even though there is a big gaps between each video, it’s totally worth it! You really make timeless classics :) ❤

As somone who lives in Mill hill I'm very glad we at least got mill hill east lol. I used to live in whetstone where the transport links are far better, especially the buses. Least I can get into centeral very quickly with Thames link

@jay foreman This is a production worthy of BBC grade TV. It's value as a well researched and an educational program suggests you could follow a career path that may be prosperous.

How the hell did he get to the middle of the M1?!

You'd think it'd be finished by now.

Great vid. Especially considering it's now 14 years old. Just one thing - the photo of 'Edgware in 1927' at 4.43 looks distinctly like Golders Green looking north along the Finchley Road toward the cenotaph and Golders Green tube and bus station. They've paved over the tram lines and painted lines on the road since then, but not much else.

Music names: 1:12 - Puffin Billy 1:59 - Change My Clothes (Laurel & Hardy) 3:05 - Waltzing Trumpets (Harry Mortimer) 4:00 - Southern Front Porch Whistler (The Neverhood OST) 4:27 - Henry Kissinger (Monty Python) 5:51 - 21st Century Schizoid Man (King Crimson) 6:42 - New World Sympathy, 2nd Movement (Dvorak) 7:39 - Wear Your Love Like Heaven (Donovan) 8:25 - Us and Them (Pink Floyd) updated as of January 2024; thanks to the guys in the replies!

I just now finally noticed the lorry wipe at 3 minutes. Good show Paul Kendler, or whoever done that. edit: I have now noticed some six more things. More updates as they happen

Seriously blew my mind when I looked at the upload date, I know that there were some higher quality productions on RU-vid in the early days but god damn. The attention to detail and editing is so great.

I live in the states and am 31 but starting about 10 years ago, because of discovering dubstep that morphed into many other interests, I slowly began to become obsessed with London and British culture. I hope I can go someday but until then I'm glad there are videos like these and am greatful I came across it

Watching this in 2019 and just now realising there are some BIG names attached to this series!

7:17 Masterclass in editing for comedic effect.

I was sent here by a real civil engineer ('s friends) and wasn't disappointed

I've enjoyed several of your videos recently and went back to the beginning to see this one. You have a lot of talent and this video shows it off even all those years ago. Such a fun channel with great videos about London - and I'm from Florida!

5:51 but denser housing and high rise buildings.... mean you don't have to build so much outside of the city limits..... as it is a better use of space..... perhaps...... if instead of terrifyingly samey 30s suburban semis we had the kinds of buildings in place that would encourage denser development in the suburbs.... we wouldn't have so much of a housing crisis

This is my favorite episode I've watched so far. I'm shocked it's from 2009 since it's so informative, focused, on topic, and entertaining.

Civil engineering projects are really interesting, and I love your style of story telling for them. I've never even been across the pond and I love your videos on London. Thank you, for sharing!

That bridge over nothing was my walk to school.

As a person living in Sweden, I dont know why I'm watching this video... But I watched it to the end! Good video!

LOL the guy opening his door and just standing there, like “Oy, wot yeh doin’ thar?”

I lived in London from 2009-2015, and only just discovered your channel and content. I've learnt so much that corresponds with my experience walking through London over all those years. Thank you for your effort, it's much appreciated!

I just watched the latest video in the series, and then I'm thrown back to 2009. Excellent, consistent quality all the way! I used to live way up on the Northern Line many years ago, and it would take forever to get there... Thanks for the memories :)

Very good video and audio quality for a 2009 video! Like from me!

5:51 Since that's my alarm I jumped in my chair a bit. Great taste in music though

Your videos have made me appreciate the city a lot more. Thank you

5:02 "Ironically the fields in this poster have all gone as a direct result of the very poster that depicted them. IDIOTS." Gets me every time.

cheers for the man opening the door 8:03

I like how the "N" in "London" is unfinished.

It's incredible how consistent jays style has been for such a long time. I was in year 3 when this video was posted and I'm turning 20 in a month

I lived a year just down the road from the Mill Hill East station and for that reason I found it convenient.