Top Gear series 10
| Top Gear | |
|---|---|
| Season 10 | |
 Promotional poster | |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Two |
| Original release | 7 October – 23 December 2007 |
| Series chronology | |
The tenth series of Top Gear was aired during 2007 and consisted of 10 episodes, beginning on 7 October and concluding on 23 December. It was subsequently followed by four "Best Of Top Gear" specials during January 2008, and a Sport Relief special entitled "Top Ground Gear Force" that aired on 14 March 2008.
Burnt props stunt
During the premiere episode of the series, the presenters of Top Gear claimed that, between the filming of the ninth and tenth series, rival motoring magazine show Fifth Gear had broken into their premises and burnt down all their props. Prior to the episode being aired, a fire occurred on 12 August 2007 at Hill End Farm, destroying a barn being used as a storage facility for Top Gear props.[1] This was evidently shown to be the case on the episode, as the Cool Wall and all the cars' photos for it had been destroyed, while the car seats the hosts used on the centre stage for the 'News' segments and for interviewing the celebrities during the 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' segments on the centre stage of the studio, along with the flat screen monitor, had been replaced with wingback chairs and an old TV. It was later revealed that the incident had been a publicity stunt dreamt up between Clarkson and Vicki Butler-Henderson, who were old friends.
Episodes
| Total | No. | Title | Reviews | Features | Guest | Original air date | UK viewers (million)[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 1 | Series 10, Episode 1 | Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 | Road trip to find the greatest driving road in the world: (Porsche 911 GT3 RS • Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera • Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24) | Dame Helen Mirren | 7 October 2007 | 6.27 |
| 82 | 2 | Series 10, Episode 2 | Audi R8 • Porsche 911 Carrera S | Amphibious Cars Challenge II | Jools Holland | 14 October 2007 | 5.53 |
| 83 | 3 | Series 10, Episode 3 | Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano • Ferrari 275 GTS • Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé | Bugatti Veyron vs Eurofighter Typhoon race • Peel P50 around the BBC office • Lexus LS600 Auto-Parking System | Ronnie Wood • Fiona Bruce • Dermot Murnaghan • John Humphrys | 28 October 2007 | 6.73 |
| 84 | 4 | Series 10, Episode 4 | N/A | Botswana Special | N/A | 4 November 2007 | 6.84 |
| 85 | 5 | Series 10, Episode 5 | Caparo T1 • Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster • Mercedes-Benz GL 500 | London race | Simon Cowell | 11 November 2007 | 7.74 |
| 86 | 6 | Series 10, Episode 6 | Honda Civic Type R • Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate • BMW M5 Touring • Alfa Romeo 159 | Motorhome racing • Alfa Romeo 159 vs. tall man across the Humber estuary | Lawrence Dallaglio | 18 November 2007 | 7.24 |
| 87 | 7 | Series 10, Episode 7 | Aston Martin DBS | £1200 British Leyland cheap-car challenge: (Rover SD1 • Triumph Dolomite Sprint • Austin Princess) | Jennifer Saunders | 25 November 2007 | 6.86 |
| 88 | 8 | Series 10, Episode 8 | Vauxhall VXR8 | Renault R25 Formula One Car • Automobile history investigation • GPS satellite self-controlled BMW 330i | James Blunt • Lewis Hamilton | 2 December 2007 | 8.35 |
| 89 | 9 | Series 10, Episode 9 | Daihatsu Materia • Ascari A10 • Fiat 500 | Britcar 24 Hour Endurance Race • Race: Fiat 500 vs. BMX riders through Budapest | Keith Allen | 9 December 2007 | 7.38 |
| 90 | 10 | Series 10, Episode 10 | Jaguar XF | German Performance Saloon cars: (BMW M3 • Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG • Audi RS4) • Top Gear Awards 2007 | David Tennant | 23 December 2007 | 7.15 |
Best-of episodes
| Total | No. | Title | Feature | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S10 | CE–1 | "The Best of Top Gear: 2007 No.1" | Best Moments from Series 10 - Part 1 | 1 January 2008 |
| S11 | CE–2 | "The Best of Top Gear: 2007 No.2" | Best Moments from Series 10 - Part 2 | 6 January 2008 |
| S12 | CE–3 | "The Best of Top Gear: 2007 No.3" | Best Moments from Series 10 - Part 3 | 13 January 2008 |
| S13 | CE–4 | "The Best of Top Gear: 2007 No.4" | Best Moments from Series 10 - Part 4 | 27 January 2008 |
Spin-off special
| Title | Guest | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| Top Ground Gear Force | Sir Steve Redgrave | 14 March 2008 |
Criticism and controversy
Botswana Special: Makgadikgadi Pan Crossing
Following the broadcast of the Botswana Special, the BBC received heavy criticism from the Environmental Investigation Agency and conservationists in regards to a section of the episode, in which the presenters were tasked with driving their used cars across the Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana. A spokesperson from the agency criticised Top Gear being allowed to film in environmentally sensitive salt pans, with an accusation made by conservationists that they had left "scars across the Makgadikgadi salt pans by driving vehicles across them". In response to the criticism, the BBC denied that they hadn't done this, stating that they had followed the advice of environmental experts and had not filmed anywhere near to any conservation area on the salt pans.[3]
References
- ^ Top Gear props site destroyed by arson - Auto Trader UK - News and Reviews Hub
- ^ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
- ^ "Top Gear 'damaged African plains'". BBC News. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
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