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History of MythBusters
What is MythBusters?
MythBusters is a television show that was originally produced
for the Discovery Channel in the US but has recently begun
being broadcast in other countries, including the UK and
Australia. The show is dedicated to proving or disproving urban
legends, Internet rumors, news stories, and various other myths
using the scientific method.
The format of the show consists of testing several myths each
episode using science. First, the show's team attempts to
re-create whatever situation occurs in the myth. Generally,
objects must be constructed to properly re-create the
situation, and this occurs in the team's workshops. Frequently,
re-creation of the myths includes spectacular effects, such as
explosions.
Results of the myth re-creation are then measured to determine
whether there is a scientific explanation for the event. The
myth is then classified as 'Busted,' 'Plausible,' or
'Confirmed.'
MythBusters Hosts
The original team of MythBusters included Adam Savage and Jamie
Hyneman. Both men have a background in visual effects. Savage
is a special effects and industrial design engineer and an
educator and actor. Hyneman is an expert in visual effects and
owns an effects workshop called M5 Industries, which is where
much of the show's work occurs.
In the beginning of the show, Hyneman is reported to have felt
he was not interesting enough to host the show alone. Savage
was brought on as a co-host. Part of the early and continuing
appeal of MythBusters comes from the dynamic between these two
team members. Typically, Hyneman is the straight man to
Savage's funny guy.
The narration of the show is provided by Robert Lee, but in the
UK and other areas, he is sometimes replaced by a local
narrator.
Creation of the MythBusters 'Build Team'
Originally, most of the staff at M5 Industries remained off
camera, but as the show progressed, a few staff members become
part of the MythBusters team. Eventually, three of these staff
members created a MythBusters team of their own, called the
'Build Team.' The 'Build Team' originally consisted of Tony
Belleci, Kari Byron, and Scottie Chapman.
Belleci is a builder on the show and is considered by his team
members to be a risk-taker, performing a few of the most
dangerous stunts. Byron is an artist and became part of the
show by persistently appealing to Hyneman for a job at M5
Industries. Chapman, noted for her tattoos, is a metal worker
and left the show after season 3. She was replaced by Grant
Imahara, who often makes robots need for the show.
The 'Build Team' now works in its own workshop, called M7. Each
episode of the show is divided between the original team and
the 'Build Team.'
Other Cast Members
The show has also included other cast members from time to
time. For instance, the show included two interns or
'mythterns' for a period of time. These interns were contest
winners and are no longer on the show.
Additionally, the team is supplemented by experts that appear
when an episode requires their input. One of these experts was
folklorist Heather Joseph-Witham, who appeared on camera for
much of the first season. Other experts include firearms
specialists, rocketry specialists, FBI agents, and others.
Not all members of the MythBusters team are human. In fact, a
very important role is played by 'Buster,' the show's crash
test dummy. Due to the fact that he has been used in many
extreme situations, Buster has been repeatedly rebuilt and
repaired. The cast act as if Buster is a living human being,
which is a running joke on the show.
by A. Nutt - 9th November 2008
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Famous Mythbusters show sets out to confirm or bust popular
myths by conducting scientific experiments. Watch a myth buster
espisode and find out what's myths are real and what's not.
http://www.discoverychannel.ca/content/?pid=188
Source:
http://www.creativewriter.me.uk
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