Top Gear series 19

{{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox television season | series_number = 19 | bgcolour = #F5F54E | image = Top Gear Series 19 Promo 2013.jpg | image_upright = 1.13 | image_alt = | caption = Promotional poster | starring = {{Plainlist| *[[Jeremy Clarkson]] *[[Richard Hammond]] *[[James May]] *[[The Stig]] }} | num_episodes = 7 | network = [[BBC Two]] [[BBC HD]] | first_aired = {{Start date|2013|01|27|df=y}} | last_aired = {{end date|2013|03|10|df=y}} | episode_list = List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes }}

Series 19 of ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', a British motoring magazine and [[factual television]] programme, was broadcast in the United Kingdom on [[BBC Two]] and [[BBC HD]] during 2013, consisting of five episodes between 29 January and 24 February,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9821299/Top-Gear-Series-19-Episode-1-review.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128030937/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9821299/Top-Gear-Series-19-Episode-1-review.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2013|title= Top Gear Series 19, Episode 1, review|date=27 January 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=30 January 2013|last1= Vincent|first1= Alice}}</ref> and a two-part feature-length special involving a road trip in [[Africa]], titled "Africa Special", aired on 3–10 March. This series' highlights included the presenters race from London to Milan, a supercar road trip across [[California]], and the creation of a home-made car for the elderly. The nineteenth series received criticism for one of its episodes' early filming featuring [[Jeremy Clarkson]] seeming to use a racial slur during a car review film.

==Episodes== {{Main|List of Top Gear (2002 TV series) episodes}} <onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#F5F54E |overall=5 |series=5 |aux1=24 |aux2=34 |aux3=11 |airdate=11 |viewers=10 |country=UK |aux1T=Reviews |aux2T=Features/challenges |aux3T=Guest(s) |viewersR=<ref name="BARB10">{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|title=Weekly Top 10 Programmes|publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]]}}</ref> |episodes= {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 148 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Aux1 = [[Pagani Huayra]] • [[Bentley Continental GT|Bentley Continental GT Speed]] | Aux2 = Take the [[Bentley Continental GT|Bentley Continental GT Speed]] to a Welsh Rally stage. • Build a car smaller than a [[Peel P50]] (Clarkson's "P45") | Aux3 = [[Damian Lewis]] • [[Kris Meeke]] • The Cast of ''[[Dragons' Den (UK TV series)|Dragons' Den]]'' ([[Theo Paphitis]] • [[Duncan Bannatyne]] • [[Peter Jones (entrepreneur)|Peter Jones]] • [[Deborah Meaden]]) | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|1|27|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.65{{#tag:ref|5.47 million on BBC Two, 1.18 million on BBC HD|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = Hammond tests out the latest supercar from Italy, the [[Pagani Huayra]], at the Track, while May takes to a Welsh stage of the [[World Rally Championship]] with the new [[Bentley Continental GT|Bentley Continental GT Speed]], to see if it can be faster than one of the WRC cars (with the help of [[Kris Meeke]] behind the wheel). Elsewhere, Clarkson builds a smaller car than the [[Peel P50]], the P45, and sees how good it is before putting before the 'Dragon' of [[Dragons' Den]], and [[Damian Lewis]] takes his turn in the [[Kia Cee'd]], around a snowy test track. | LineColor = F5F54E }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 149 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Aux1 = None | Aux2 = Supercar road trip from [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas, Nevada]] to [[Calexico, California]]: ([[Lexus LFA]] • [[SRT Viper#Fifth generation/SRT Viper, VX (2012–)|SRT Viper]] • [[Aston Martin Vanquish#Second generation (2012–)|Aston Martin Vanquish]]) | Aux3 = [[Mick Fleetwood]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|3|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.42{{#tag:ref|5.02 million on BBC Two, 1.4 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The trio head out for a road trip across [[Nevada]] and [[California]], each taking with them a supercar they think is the best – Clarkson believes it is the [[Lexus LFA]], May roots for the new [[Aston Martin Vanquish#Second generation (2012–)|Aston Martin Vanquish]], and Hammond seeks to show it is the [[SRT Viper#Fifth generation/SRT Viper, VX (2012–)|SRT Viper]]. Starting from the [[Valley of Fire]], the trio visit [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] and the [[Las Vegas Motor Speedway]] to race their cars in drag races organised by the [[Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department]], visit the [[Musical road#Civic Musical Road|Civic Musical Road]], play an aerial version of [[Laser Quest]] at the [[Willow Springs International Motorsports Park]], and head for [[Los Angeles]] where they get into trouble while doing "elevens" and "donuts" at the [[Sepulveda Dam]]. The trio conclude their trip with a race from [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]] to [[Calexico, California|Calexico]] at the [[Mexico|Mexican border]], with the last presenter to arrive having to cross the border and review the country's first supercar for a later episode. Elsewhere [[Mick Fleetwood]] of [[Fleetwood Mac]] is the latest star to drive the Kia around the track. | LineColor = F5F54E }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 150 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Aux1 = [[Toyota 86|Toyota GT86]] / [[Toyota 86#Subaru BRZ|Subaru BRZ]] • [[Shelby Mustang#SVT 2nd generation GT500 2010-2014 (S-197 II)|Shelby Mustang GT500]] | Aux2 = [[Top Gear races#s19e3|Epic race]] from Wembley to the [[San Siro|San Siro stadium]] in [[Milan]]: [[Shelby Mustang#SVT 2nd generation GT500 2010-2014 (S-197 II)|Shelby Mustang GT500]] vs. the [[Trans-European Rail network|pan-European rail network]] | Aux3 = [[Amy Macdonald]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|10|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.36{{#tag:ref|5.01 million on BBC Two, 1.35 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The producers have reserved a single ticket to a Champions League football match in [[Milan]], Northern [[Italy]] where AC Milan are playing against Anderlecht, so the trio see who get it first by racing from the [[Wembley Stadium]] in [[London]] to the [[San Siro]] in Milan, although this time, the car may have a real challenge, as given that ten years have passed since the last race, trains have gotten much faster and Channel crossings have gotten slower. While Hammond and May opt to work together until Milan and then compete against each other towards the finish line, Clarkson, who is told he must not choose an expensive, high performance car for the race, tries to see if he can beat them in the [[Shelby Mustang#SVT 2nd generation GT500 2010-2014 (S-197 II)|Shelby Mustang GT500]], a car named after [[Carroll Shelby]], who was able to see the new Mustang before his death. Meanwhile, at the Track, Clarkson tests out how good a sports car the [[Toyota 86|Toyota GT86]] is, and [[Amy Macdonald]] drives the [[Kia Cee'd]] around the test track.

''Note'': ''Top Gear'' paid tribute to Carroll Shelby during its 'Epic Race to Milan' film with a small scene covering their early life and involvement in car manufacturing. | LineColor = F5F94E }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 151 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Aux1 = [[Mastretta MXT]] • [[Kia Cee'd]] • Hot hatchbacks: ([[Ford Focus (third generation)#Focus ST|Ford Focus ST]] • [[Mégane Renault Sport#Renault Sport Mégane R.S. 265 (2012–2017)|Renault Megane RenaultSport Cup 265]] • [[Opel Astra#OPC 2|Vauxhall Astra VXR]]) | Aux2 = Rugby match with [[Kia Cee'd]]s at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] | Aux3 = [[Lewis Hamilton]] • [[Matt LeBlanc]] • [[Eric Clapton]] • [[Bruce Willis]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|17|df=y}} | Viewers = 5.39{{#tag:ref|3.92 million on BBC Two, 1.39 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = A trio of hot hatches hit the track with Clarkson seeing which is best – the [[Opel Astra#OPC 2|Vauxhall Astra VXR]], the [[Ford Focus (third generation)#Focus ST|Ford Focus ST]] and the [[Mégane Renault Sport#Renault Sport Mégane R.S. 265 (2012–2017)|Renault Megane RenaultSport Cup 265]] Meanwhile, the presenter who got sent to [[Mexico]] (Hammond) reviews the country's first sports car, the [[Mastretta MXT]], Clarkson tests out the new [[Kia Cee'd]] in a variety of tests before competing against May in a game of "Car Rugby" at [[Twickenham Stadium]], and [[Lewis Hamilton]] is back to see if he can be faster in the old [[Suzuki Aerio|Liana]]. | LineColor = F5F94E }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 152 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Aux1 = [[Range Rover (L405)|Range Rover]] | Aux2 = Design a vehicle for the elderly ("Rover James"/[[Fiat Multipla]]) • [[Range Rover (L405)|Range Rover]] vs an [[TerraMax (vehicle)|autonomous military machine]] | Aux3 = [[James McAvoy]] | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|2|24|df=y}} | Viewers = 6.45{{#tag:ref|5.00 million on BBC Two, 1.45 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = Clarkson and Hammond believe that elderly people would be better on the road if they had a car designed especially for them, so the pair make one out of a [[Fiat Multipla]] with many things that an elderly driver will like, before testing how well their creation fares by taking it to [[Christchurch, Dorset]], and borrowing a few elderly ladies to tell them what they think. Meanwhile, May tests out the new [[Range Rover (L405)|Range Rover]] in London, before heading to the Nevada Automotive Test Centre in Nevada, to see how good it is off-road in a {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=off}} race against an autonomous military machine, the [[TerraMax (vehicle)|TerraMax]], and [[James McAvoy]] drives around the track as the latest star in the Kia Cee'd.

''Note'': ''Top Gear'' paid respect to comedian and actor [[Richard Briers]], for his help in the 'Making a Car for Elderly People' film, prior to his death a week before the episode's broadcast. | LineColor = F5F94E }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 153 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Aux1 = N/A – Africa Special: Part 1 | Aux2 = Find source of the Nile: ([[BMW 5 Series (E39)|BMW 528i Touring]] • [[Subaru Impreza (second generation)|Subaru Impreza WRX Estate]] • [[Volvo 850#850 R|Volvo 850R Estate]]) | Aux3 = None | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|3|3|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.33{{#tag:ref|5.85 million on BBC Two, 1.48 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = In a two-part special in [[Africa]], the presenters attempt to find the source of the [[Nile|River Nile]], aided by second-hand [[Station wagon|estate cars]] bought on a budget of £1,500 – Clarkson uses a [[BMW 5 Series (E39)|BMW 528i Touring]], Hammond drives a [[Subaru Impreza (second generation)|Subaru Impreza WRX Estate]], and May purchases a [[Volvo 850#850 R|Volvo 850R Estate]]. In the first part, the trio journey [[Lake Victoria]], which [[David Livingstone|Victorian Explorers]] thought was the source of the Nile, to [[Lake Edward]], which the trio believe the source is to be found around. On their journey, they visit [[Entebbe International Airport|Entebbe Airport]], deal with heavy traffic in Uganda's capital of [[Kampala]], and deal with rough roads, before converting their cars into mobile homes for the remainder of their trip. However, when their original theory is proven incorrect, they soon find themselves heading for [[Tanzania]] and the [[Serengeti]], on a new theory the source is to be found there. | LineColor = F5F94E }} {{Episode list/sublist|Top Gear series 19 | EpisodeNumber = 154 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Aux1 = N/A – Africa Special: Part 2 | Aux2 = Find source of the Nile: ([[BMW 5 Series (E39)|BMW 528i Touring]] • [[Subaru Impreza (second generation)|Subaru Impreza WRX Estate]] • [[Volvo 850#850 R|Volvo 850R Estate]]) | Aux3 = None | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2013|3|10|df=y}} | Viewers = 7.48{{#tag:ref|5.89 million on BBC Two, 1.59 million on BBC HD.|group=nb}} | ShortSummary = The trio continue their search for the source of the [[Nile|River Nile]], believing it to be in [[Tanzania]]. In the second part, the presenters face muddy tracks and rough dirt roads, view stunning scenery, take parts from each other's car to repair damage to their own, attempt to cross a river on a home-made ferry, and tackle a car-killing road on the [[Serengeti]]. As they near where the source is and set off after making camp for the final time, their journey soon devolves into a race to see which of the three can track down and find the source.

''Note'': In homage to [[David Livingstone]], the surnames of all credited presenters and crew members are accompanied with the famous quote ""Dr. ...., I Presume?", with music from the opening theme of [[Zulu (1964 film)]] playing throughout the closing credits. | LineColor = F5F94E }} }}</onlyinclude>

==Criticism== Following accusations of racism made against [[Jeremy Clarkson]] for use of "Slope" comment in the Burma Special, an examination of his review of the [[Toyota 86|Toyota GT86]] and the [[Toyota 86#Subaru BRZ|Subaru BRZ]] in the nineteenth series revealed further criticism of racism. British newspaper ''The [[Daily Mirror]]'' revealed video evidence that in his reviews, in which he had used the rhyme ''[[Eeny, meeny, miny, moe|eeny meeny miny moe]]'' for choosing the cars, one of the earlier takes of the scene featured him mumbling the word "[[nigger]]", which was historically a part of the rhyme's earlier versions; the actual transmitted scene used the word "teacher" instead of the racial epithet.

Clarkson initially denied the incident, but eventually issued an apology following the evidence's appearance. In his apology, he stated that he was "extremely keen" to avoid using the word, and that he had to do three takes with the film, adding that he was "mortified" that he appeared to actually mumble the word and that he did everything he could to avoid it being transmitted on the show. He further proved this was the case with a note he sent to the production office, which read:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/01/jeremy-clarkson-begs-forgiveness-n-word-top-gear|title=Jeremy Clarkson 'begs forgiveness' over N-word footage|first1=Nicholas|last1=Watt|first2=Kevin|last2=Rawlinson|first3=Josh|last3=Halliday|date=1 May 2014|website=the Guardian}}</ref>

<blockquote>"I didn't use the N-word here but I've just listened through my headphones and it sounds like I did. Is there another take that we could use?",</blockquote>

This incident was one of two reasons that led to the [[BBC]] ultimately giving Clarkson a "final warning" in regards to the corporation's views on racist remarks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/video-watch-jeremy-clarkson-use-3481201|title=Video: Watch Jeremy Clarkson use n-word in unseen Top Gear footage|first=David|last=Collins|date=1 May 2014}}</ref>

==Notes== The viewing figures shown in the Episode Table above, are a combination of the figures from the BBC Two broadcast and the BBC HD broadcast. {{reflist|group=nb}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140218143154/http://www.topgear.com/uk/tv-show/series-19 Top Gear series 19 at Top Gear Official Site]

[[Category:2013 British television seasons]] [[Category:Top Gear (2002 TV series) series]]