Television is a grab bag of highs and lows. Some shows are unfortunately abysmal. Other programs are of the standard caliber, consistently meeting expectations and delivering genuine content. Then there are those few series that stand far above the rest, wowing viewers into television-induced ecstasy and making an everlasting imprint on the watching world. One of these shows is "MythBusters."
The series finally returned to its rightful place this past week, both in the hearts of viewers and the Discovery Channel lineup Wednesday evenings at 9:00 p.m.
"MythBusters" features a team of special effect experts and science fanatics trying to "bust" classic urban legends, often by using elaborate and unconventional methods.
Myths explored by the "Mythbusters" team have included whether elephants are, in fact, scared of mice, if a car can possibly travel fast enough to beat a speed camera and what method of chilling a beer is the fastest the answer, of course, is to blast your six-pack with a fire extinguisher.
The experiments are overly elaborate and often gratuitous they usually involve the unwarranted use of explosives yet the series is an unrivaled feat of entertainment. The cast is fun, the commentary is lively and the results are often astounding.
"MythBusters" manages to do the impossible in the world of television in that it successfully combines science and entertainment. Not since my childhood days of watching "Bill Nye the Science Guy" has there been such a phenomenal series that has a basis in science. And although the concept may not seem immediately apparent to a mainstream audience, "MythBusters" brings to television one of the most original concepts in years.
This past week, the team tried to tackle two of the series' most interesting myths yet. First, the team questioned whether it is physically possible to "knock your socks off." It's no surprise that the idiom turned out to be false, but not before the MythBusters detonated 500 pounds of explosives next to some sock-wearing mannequins just to see what would happen.
In analyzing its second and much more fascinating myth, the team tested whether a bullet fired from a perfectly level gun would hit the ground at the same instant as one dropped from the same height. As the hosts pointed out, although this physics phenomenon is referenced in countless textbooks everywhere, it has never been tested at full scale. Watching the team confirm the myth was both entertaining and, from a scientific standpoint, invigorating (it's comforting to know that gravity works).
As one of the best series on television, "Mythbusters" deserves far more attention from viewers. It is entertaining and educational, an extremely volatile combination.
