MythBusters

Synopsis

"MythBusters is a Trojan Horse of reason, hiding behind a thin veil of explosives." "Sciencebait rather than jailbait."

Review

The sentences above are really the best descriptors. Science is a weird byproduct that makes this show run, but it is there continued need to figure out how to confirm each myth with doing the craziest things that introduces more and more explosives.

What really keeps you in the show, like most things, is the people. Adam and Jamie have a great back and forth. I know the myth is that they hate each other and don't talk anymore, but if you go to Adam Savage's YouTube channel you'll see that isn't true. They respect reach other and like each other, but they just don't have a lot in common outside that show so they just don't hang out. He has posted pictures of them together at non-public events so don't be crazy about it. Also I'd be remiss to not mention Adam's amazing book Every Tool's a Hammer where between these two items you can get a sense of who Adam is. More importantly, who he is on camera is who he is outside of camera.

You also have Tori, Kari, and Grant. If you have read my other reviews, then you know that Kari is an odd ball from her book Crash Test Girl and that is what let her be such a prominent figure in the show. She could be herself and as the show goes on, that ability for all of themselves to be normal is what makes the interactions and enjoyment on their faces genuine. Unfortunately, Grant has passed away in the last few years, but I know that he is missed by the rest of them.

This show does get a little repetitive when binge-watching it. I mean it wasn't designed for that, but the myths sometimes get a little wonky too. Where I lost the most interest was when they went back to revisit fantasy myth like Walking Dead and Star Wars. I appreciate their dedication to getting the science right, I just don't need to watch it. Where this show is at its best is the final season. The homage to previous myths, the team, the legacy they are leaving behind, to finally seeing the relationship they all have to the show and each other in the reunion episode.

Edit: Since I originally wrote this, Adam Savage has done a video on his YouTube Channel talking about slow motion in MythBusters and other places with The Slow Mo Guys. It was a very interesting video. Here is a link to the video.

My Rating

Overall I think this is a show that should be normal viewing for students. Especially the clips of original vs. revisited myths. The ability to say they did something wrong and/or to true new methodologies is a lesson everyone should learn. This is a super entertaining show, just don't binge-watch it. Great 8.

Parental Rating

My mom loved watching this show with me as it aired when I was a kid. It isn't geared towards kids, but it is digestible by kids and teaches a lot without making anyone feel dumb. My dad enjoyed the occasional show, but it wasn't his cup of tea to watch. I think he didn't like Adam, which is funny because I feel like I am a lot like him. Based on the rules, approved by both.

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