Mythbusters - Volume 1 [DVD]

The DVD is a double set (single case) of 8* 50 minute episodes of the American series. No subtitles though. Having done a double take when I saw the episode length and heard the American voice over- I discovered that the explanation is basically down to the BBC's heavy editing into a 30 minute slot. The first two episodes are a little prolonged- and I was muttering to myself- "editing sounds a damn fine idea". However the whole thing perked up on number 3, so it is a keeper after all.

So here it is: Jamie Hyneman (special effects on the newer Star Wars and the Matrix sequels) and Adam Savage (FX on Star Wars, Terminator 3 and Home Alone 3!) devise devious and dangerous experiments to bust urban myths such as tongue piercings attract lightning and mobile phones cause fires at petrol pumps. Pretty much everything is proved incorrect. So you can go away wiser (if not necessarily safer). I stopped religiously separating out my loyalty cards in my wallet as a result of this series- well an electric eel couldn't zap them- so a little rubbing wasn't going to hurt. Nice guerrilla science with lots of big bangs!

The episodes featured are:

Magic ice bullets, Is it worth running in the rain. Exploding toilet,
Cell phones and petrol pumps. Exploding breast implants. Exploding CDs at high revolutions.
The construction worker and the barrel of bricks. Peeing on the 3rd rail. Credit cards and eel skin wallets.
Dropping pennies off the Empire State, deadly Microwaves, Radio Tooth fillings
1967 Chevy Impala with a jet assisted take off. Eating Pop Rocks with cola can cause death.
Break the surface tension of water with a hammer before you fall. Buried alive. Cola myths.
Tongue piercing attracts lightning. Cannon made out of a tree. Fooling the breathalyser?
Stinky car. Raccoon rocket in a sewer pipe.

I've not got the order right, and they don't appear to be in strict broadcast order either - it seems to be eight out of the twelve series one episodes according the US "IMDB" website.

I can't get enough of this - it's on every day on Discovery at some time or other and I never miss it.

Adam and Jamie, two special effects supremos, use their know-how to test whether or not various myths and urban legends could have possibly happened. Luckily, if it turns out they COULDN'T have done (as happens in the vast majority or cases), the boys subsequently use any and all methods to try and duplicate the RESULT of the myth, resulting in some often gratuitous destructions.

The presenters have a wonderful rapport, having worked together for several years beforehand, and compliment each other really well - Jamie is stoic, serious and focussed while Adam is often childish and over-excitable - and their investigative method is always logical and methodical, a welcome change for a programme of this type.

For sheer entertainment value, I can't think of anything better: I must have watched close to 100 episodes of Mythbusters now, and I have never EVER been bored by one. The material is more than good enough on its own, but the presenters' enthusiasm makes it leap out of the screen.

If you've been watching these on Discovery it may come as a surprise to find they've been revoiced for the UK market. These have the original voice on them (Rob Lee) but apart from that they're here in all their brilliance. Here's a tip - Buy the Mythbusters 'Collection' series - There's more on 'em and come as 3 and 4 disc sets. 100% recommended.