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 cast 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 a Mythbusters 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.
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