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MythBusters
Format	Scientific method - Reality television - Documentary film
Created by	Peter Rees
Starring	Jamie Hyneman Adam Savage Tory Belleci Kari Byron Grant Imahara Buster (The Dummy) Additional cast
Narrated by	Robert Lee (USA) Robin Banks (Discovery UK) Rufus Hound (BBC Two) Eduardo Robiera (Latin American)
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	6
No. of episodes	110 (as of December 12, 2007)
Production
Running time	43 minutes (Discovery Channel) 30 minutes (BBC Two) (Both times are not including commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel	Discovery Channel Discovery HD
Picture format	480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Original run	January 23, 2003 – present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

MythBusters is an American popular science television program on the Discovery Channel starring special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, who use basic elements of the scientific method to test the validity of various rumors and urban legends in popular culture.

Contents 1 History 2 Episodes 3 Format 3.1 Busted, Plausible, or Confirmed? 3.2 Materials and equipment 4 Cast 5 Warnings and censorship 6 Name lawsuit 7 Popularity and influence 8 International broadcasts 9 See also 10 References 11 External links

The show was pitched to Discovery Channel under the title Tall Tales or True^[1] by producer Peter Rees from Beyond Television Productions in 2002. Discovery then commissioned three pilot specials. Hyneman came to the show through Rees, who had previously interviewed him for his appearance on BattleBots. Savage, who had worked with Hyneman in commercials and on BattleBots, was approached by Hyneman to help co-host the show because (according to Savage) Hyneman felt himself too uninteresting to host the show on his own.^[2][3]

In July 2006, an edited thirty-minute version (as opposed to the usual 60 minutes including advertising) of MythBusters began airing on BBC Two in the UK. The episodes shown in the European Discovery Channel sometimes include extra scenes not shown in the US version (some of these scenes eventually make their way into "specials", such as "MythBusters Outtakes").

Main article: List of MythBusters episodes

This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Each MythBusters episode typically focuses on several unrelated urban legends, popular beliefs, Internet rumors, or other myths. Occasionally episodes are produced in which some or all of the myths are related by theme. To date, three myths have required such extensive preparation and testing that they had entire episodes devoted solely to them,^[4] and four specials have been double length.^[5]

Methods for testing myths are usually planned and executed in a manner to produce visually dramatic results, which generally involves explosions, fires, and/or vehicle crashes. When a myth is potentially dangerous to an individual, the MythBusters use various stand-ins for humans in their tests. Resident crash test dummy, "Buster", or ballistics gel have long been used, along with other more recent analogues, such as dead pigs and Simulaids. When a myth is low-risk, the cast sometimes performs experiments on themselves, though injuries and mishaps are quite frequent.

The cast usually use their expertise to construct complex, sometimes Rube Goldberg-like mechanical devices with which to perform experiments. The tests are sometimes confined to the workshop, but often require unique conditions which require them to be performed at other locations in and around San Francisco and the Bay Area. Common shooting locations include the decommissioned Naval Air Station Alameda, Novato's decommissioned Hamilton Air Force Base, the Mojave Spaceport, the Mojave Desert, and the Alameda County Sheriff's Bomb Squad and Firearm ranges. The cast has traveled to other cities and countries to test myths, usually for the specials.

The tests usually follow a two-step process. Dubbed "replicate the circumstances, then duplicate the results" by Savage, the MythBusters first attempt to recreate the myth to determine if the circumstances as described achieve the alleged outcome. If that fails, they attempt to expand the parameters as much as necessary — often to absurd lengths — until the desired results are duplicated. When the exact details of a myth are unclear, the MythBusters will often hold a competition amongst each other to find and implement the best solution.

The thoroughness to which the Mythbusters test myths is often unclear due to the time constraints of the episodes. Adam and Jamie have alluded to this many times on the show, and during the Outtakes Special, they specifically stated that while they in fact are very thorough in testing myths and repeat experiments many times in many different configurations, it is simply impossible to display all of it on the show. Beginning in Season 5 they have prompted viewers to visit the show's website to see less edited versions of experiments, additional scientific explanations, or unaired myths or experiments related to aired ones for each episode. Also, in response to criticism over testing myths in the wrong way, the team has produced several "Myths Revisited" episodes, in which they retest myths to see if viewers' complaints have merit. These episodes have resulted in overturning results of several myths, as well as upholding results for different reasons than originally concluded.

There are some myths and urban legends the MythBusters refuse to test. Paranormal concepts, such as aliens or ghosts, are not addressed because they cannot be tested by scientific methods, although one exception, pyramid power, prompted Savage to comment, "No more 'oogie-boogie' myths, please." The program avoids experiments harmful to animals and people that cannot be tested safely. The book MythBusters: The Explosive Truth Behind 30 of the Most Perplexing Urban Legends of All Time (ISBN 1-4169-0929-X) also gives a list of a dozen urban legends that are unlikely to be explored (although three were eventually tested).

By the end of each episode, each myth is rated Busted, Plausible, or Confirmed.

Busted

The myth's results cannot be replicated via either the described parameters nor reasonably exaggerated ones.

Plausible

The myth's results can only be produced by expanding the parameters within a reasonable margin (alternatively, if the circumstances needed to make the myth work are impractical, but still realistically possible), or by the practical necessity of setting additional parameters that may or may not have been part of the myth described. This judgment is used if a myth is possible but unlikely, or if documented accounts of the myth exist that the MythBusters were unable to duplicate (for safety or cost reasons). A further case for the plausible rating is if there is no documentation of the myth occurring, yet the MythBusters were still able to duplicate it very closely to how the myth was described (such as the myth that states that pirates wore eye patches for enhanced night vision). The Plausible rating was first used in the second season, but seems to have fallen out of favor in later seasons in cases where the team could replicate the results within the parameters even if there are no documented incidents replicating the myth, giving rise to a Confirmed (Such as Exploding Tire of Death, Season 5). Will sometimes be extended to the point where it's highly unlikely to happen.

Confirmed

The MythBusters are able to recreate or closely recreate the myth's purported outcome with the described circumstances. A Confirmed myth is usually corroborated with documented evidence of actual occurrences. The term "True" was used in the first season.

Other

Occasionally, the MythBusters give more than one designation to separate aspects of a single myth. In "Bullets Fired Up", they tested whether a bullet fired straight up can fall and kill the shooter or innocent bystanders. They gave the myth all three designations: "Busted", "Plausible", and "Confirmed," based on different circumstances and technicalities they encountered. Other alternate determinations have been used on occasion where results have defied any of the three existing classifications.

While a wide range of myths are tested, the MythBusters regularly use certain items as part of their experiments due to their versatility, property simulation ability, or usefulness in evaluations. These items include:

• Ballistics gel is used by various agencies to test performance of firearms ammunition, as it approximates some of the physical properties of human muscle tissue. The MythBusters also use special mixtures of it to simulate certain properties of flesh, such as conductivity or blunt impact resistance.
• Cars and other vehicles are often obtained from a scrapheap but are sometimes donated by a fan or purchased in running condition.
• Firearms and explosives are used to test myths involving these devices. These myths typically end with "explosive results."
• High speed cameras are often used to record moving objects during a test and (with the help of a scale ruler) measure the objects' speeds.
• Pig carcasses are used as test dummies in place of Buster the dummy and ballistics gel to more accurately simulate responses of human flesh and bone to certain types of trauma, for example, decomposition, spall or shrapnel damage, and potential dismemberment. Savage euphemistically calls them "human analogues", while Kari, who is a vegetarian, is generally uncomfortable with using them.
• Pneumatic actuators and servos are used to help remotely control vehicles and other potentially dangerous machines during testing.
• Polycarbonate sheets are used extensively as barriers for potentially explosive or dangerous experiments. The integrity of the sheets themselves was the subject of one experiment.
• Shackles or quick-releases are used frequently in experiments involving falls or mechanisms under tension. Theater shackles designed for quick release are often used.
• Shock sensors and digital accelerometers are used to measure sudden impacts.

See also: List of additional MythBusters cast members

Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman were the original Mythbusters, and explored all the myths on the show using their common background in visual effects. The two work at Hyneman's effects workshop, M5 Industries, and make use of his staff. The show is narrated by Robert Lee, though in some regions his voice is replaced by a local narrator.

As the series progressed, assistants were introduced and ultimately formed into a second team, called the "Build Team", which has its own workshop and now splits each episode with the original pair. Each team typically investigates different myths in an episode. The first member of the Build Team introduced was one of Hyneman's artists, Kari Byron, who was needed as a model for an early myth. M5 builder Tory Belleci is typically portrayed as doing most of the construction for the Build Team's myths (formerly assisting the original pair). Grant Imahara, a colleague of Hyneman, was brought in to round out the team with his electrical and robotics experience.

The show has featured other cast members who have since left the series. Scottie Chapman was a metal worker and welder in the shop before being Imahara's predecessor in the Build Team. The show has had two interns, dubbed "Mythterns": Discovery Channel contest winner Christine Chamberlain and Jess Nelson, who was discovered during a MythBusters viewer building contest. The program originally featured interviews with folklorist Heather Joseph-Witham, who explained the origins of certain urban legends, as well as people with first-hand experience with the myth, were both phased out early in the series. To focus more on the process of debunking the myths, MythBusters continues to feature a variety of guests and semi-regular experts with whom the cast consults on the plausibility of myths, and the logistics of how they might occur. One of the show's gimmicks is the interaction between Savage and Hyneman, which is similar to a double act, wherein Hyneman plays the straight man and Savage is the comic foil/relief.

The show also features several inanimate "cast members". The first and most commonly used is Buster — a crash test dummy used to test more dangerous myth tests. He has been extensively damaged and rebuilt over the course of the series and has had an entire special devoted to his redesign and rebuilding as "Buster 2.0."

Buster has been supplemented with additional dummies manufactured by Simulaid, which were named "Jane", "Simulaide Suzy", and "Rescue Randy". They were introduced in the "Killer Brace Position" myth. Sometimes, when it is likely the subject will be completely destroyed, full-body ballistics gel dummies have been used. The first of these used was nicknamed Ted (for bus'ted).

MythBusters places a strong emphasis on viewer safety due to the nature of the myths tested, often dealing with purported household scenarios. All episodes begin with Adam and Jamie giving a disclaimer against attempting the experiments seen on the show; most episodes also feature a second warning halfway through the running time. This disclaimer is not aired with the broadcast on Australian channel SBS, however all other censorship remains.

The show employs various degrees of safety- or courtesy-related censorship. Instead of the standard bleeping, vulgar language or the names of ingredients used in the production of hazardous materials are usually covered over with sound effects which are humorous or relevant to the myth. Other potentially offensive subject matter is glossed over with euphemisms, addressed in a strictly scientific sense.^[6] As with audio, visible chemical labels used to produce dangerous materials are blurred out. In certain scenarios (such as building a bomb), they also admit that even professionals such as themselves are required to seek special permission/assistance from the government or prohibited from engaging in a certain activity and take the opportunity to reinforce the disclaimer.

To avoid legal issues, many brand names of items used in the show are censored out, usually by covering up the branding with a MythBusters label.

In January 2005, children's author and adventurer Andrew Knight (aka "Bowvayne") commenced legal proceedings in Australia against Beyond Productions (the producer of MythBusters), alleging passing off in relation to the use of the name "Mythbusters".^[7] Mr. Knight asserted that he had previously put together a team of "Mythbusters" and had used the name continuously since 1988 in relation to pursuing myths, ghosts, monsters, goblins and other such mysteries in an offbeat manner all around the world. Knight authored a series of self-published children's books under the banner "Mythbusters" in 1991, 1993, and 1996.^{[8] [9]} In February 2007, the Federal Court of Australia dismissed Knight's claims against Beyond (Knight v Beyond Properties Pty Ltd [2007] FCA 70).

Hyneman and Savage have appeared on numerous entertainment programs, such as Good Morning America^[10] The Late Show with David Letterman ^[11], NPR's news program All Things Considered^[12] and in the movie The Darwin Awards. Skeptic Magazine interviewed the duo in an article entitled "Mythbusters Exposed."^[13] Hyneman and Savage spoke at the annual convention of the National Science Teachers Association in March 2006, and the California Science Teachers Association named them honorary lifetime members in October 2006.^[14] In Australia, they appeared in a segment at the 2006 TV Week Logie Awards,^{[citation needed]} where they attempted to solve the myth of whether or not the atmospheric pressure at the Logies caused guests' breasts to increase in size. This segment used footage from the "Exploding Implants" myth, with a new voice-over, intro, and ending.

Hyneman and Savage occasionally appear at colleges around the country to talk about what it's like to be a MythBuster; the show consists of an interview and discussion to give the audience the opportunity to ask the MythBusters questions. To date they've done about 30 appearances, both collegiate and corporate, and are always well received, though the technical colleges tend to be the most enthusiastic.^[15][16] They've spoken at WPI, RPI, Boise State, Georgia Tech, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan University, MIT, The University of Akron, IBM, Almaden Research center and many others.

Kari Byron was interviewed on The Late Show, on January 16, 2006.^[17] In 2007, Kari did a photo-shoot for FHM magazine, in which she demonstrated simple home chemistry experiments (such as the Mentos and Diet-Coke reaction) while wearing a red bikini and lab-coat.

Twenty-three year old Theresa Booth of St. Martin, Minnesota credits a MythBusters episode for her and her infant child's survival. On April 3, 2007 she skidded off the road into a drainage ditch which had filled with flood water from the Sauk River. In a local newscast, she is described as opening the car door as soon as it entered the water, and credits her watching of the show (specifically, the episode of the Underwater Car myth) for her knowledge of how to survive the accident.^[18] A passing motorist took them to the hospital, where they were examined and released. On October 19, 2007 in Sydney, Australia, a teenager named Julian Shaw pulled a fainted middle-aged man off the railroad tracks near a train station to safety below the platform. He pulled back as the train passed, citing the "Train Suction" episode as influencing his response.^[19]

MythBusters is broadcast in several countries, primarily on each country's edition of the Discovery Channel. In some countries, the English speech is either subtitled in the relevant language and the United States customary units, still used throughout, are converted to metric, or the narrator is dubbed, or the whole show is voice-overed. In the UK, Rufus Hound narrates the BBC Two version of MythBusters, while Robin Banks or Daisy Beaumont narrates the Discovery Channel's version. Excerpts of the show are also shown as part of the Beyond Television-produced Beyond Tomorrow. In Australia MythBusters is shown on SBS, and in New Zealand is shown on Prime TV.

• Brainiac: Science Abuse, a British program which also tests popular myths, but with more emphasis on entertainment rather than science.
• Hollywood Science, a show predating MythBusters with a similar aim that was produced by the Open University for the BBC and was presented by actor Robert Llewellyn and scientist Jonathan Hare.
• Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, another program based on scientific skepticism, but with a larger focus on popular controversy.
• Snopes, the Urban Legends Reference Pages

• Official Site
• Mythbusters wiki
• Behind the Story: Buster
• MythBusters at the Internet Movie Database
• Interview on Slashdot
• An interview on PoopReport
• Adam Savage interviewed on the Penn Jillette Radio Show
• Interview on NPR
• Adam and Jamie explaining Moore's Law, energy efficiency, and the impact of shrinking transistors on computers

v • d • e MythBusters
Hosted By	Jamie Hyneman · Adam Savage
Hosts	Tory Belleci · Grant Imahara · Kari Byron
Episode and Season Guides	Season 1 · Season 2 · Season 3 · Season 4 · Season 5 · Season 6 Pilots, Specials and Mini-myths · List of episodes
Related articles	Additional cast · M5 Industries