Brainiac: Science Abuse

I'm an American, and to my knowledge this show hasn't yet made it to US TV so I can't actually review it. I've only seen their now infamous clip on alkali metals.

Last night I saw the Mythbusters demonstrate that Brainiac faked their spectacular explosions with rubidium and cesium metal. I have to say that I'm more than a little dismayed. Like many people, I'd been taken. I remember thinking that the rubidium and cesium explosions seemed well out of proportion to the much less violent lithium, sodium and potassium reactions. But hydrogen/air/heat mixtures are highly unpredictable, and besides who can argue with empirical evidence?

Lying just isn't cool, even (especially) in the cause of science education. There's no greater sin in science and engineering than faking a demo.

Now I fully understand that "Brainiac: Science Abuse" is more about entertainment than science, and some forms of entertainment such as magic rely entirely on deception. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as you label it as such.

But just as the occasional magician crosses the line when he claims real supernatural powers, so does an show like Brainiac when it claims to be doing real science experiments.

Now if I ever do get to watch this show, I'll be too busy continually wondering if what I'm seeing is real or fake to enjoy it. It will certainly ruin whatever educational value it might have had.

Shame on you guys.

Brainiac was on the air from 2003 to 2008 and it gave me a lot of laughs, for it is absurdly funny and generally entertaining for it fused two things they are usually thought to be universes apart, science and fun. No , definitely no those concepts can exist at the same time it needs to be done right and here they score 11/ 10. Also for the male viewers are some very beautiful women around. ;)

The first four seasons are comedic gold .It is every nerd wet dream for a television series with experiments, test, some gorgeous girls ,because why not? .Also you have some extremely interesting philosophical question been thrown at any episode to make the audience think! That was unheard in the early two thousands, for back then the weren't series like Big Bang Theory(1), Lie to me(2), Criminal Minds(3) and Avatar(4). For those series' creators see the audience and say: "I want to make them learn something during the run time for the episode" weather that is a scientific fact (1),a way to find out lies(2), get detective skills(3) or a whole way of thinking(4).

Now to the final two seasons where the main hosts left. Thet were good, but lacked the comedic timing and they didn't give any emphases to the question part ,but still their energy and dedications make you come for more. Sandly they couldn't stop the series from losing steam and with the gangs, girls,science ,and even the flagship of the series the experiments themselves going old ,it was the end and the series was canceled.

In this point is were I say that was a pity and it should continue, but not in this time for it series run its course and ended in at least a decent level and didn't became a zombie like Family Guy , Two and a half men and even one of my favorites Bones! So let us all remember this series for that opening in the big screen (if you haven't see it do it now).

I started watching Brainiac from its second series and it is the funniest science show I've ever seen.

Okay, the main attraction to the show may be the massive explosions but deep within, there are lots of interesting experiments that make you remark "Wow, I don't know that!" From electrocuting celebrities, blowing caravans up to Jon Tickle walking on custard, Brainiac has the wackiest and funniest experiments ever seen on TV, a true masterpiece.

Two spin-off shows have also been produced: 'Brainiac: History Abuse' and 'Brainiac Test Tube Baby'. While 'History Abuse' was a little hit and miss, 'Test Tube Baby' was live and as funny as the main show. Sadly though both have only run for one series.

It is rather dumb! Compared to the obvious other show it is compared to Mythbusters it lacks a scientific basis. Also really tits and explosions.. so what?

Then again if you are coming from your boring job, just been through bad traffic and the neighbours freaking dog can't stop barking. Yeah I see the position of this kind of television show. It is for when you want to switch of your brains :)

Hell there are whole themed television channels where you can simple switch off your thinking, drink beer and be entertained.

Now what I miss is the sticking factor. I mean really with brainiac you can only say "Hey seen that explosion on Brainiac" and what do you get back "What of the 10?"

Some might feel hurt by what I am saying now but it is moronic. I remember that after a good Mythbusters and during I and the ones I life with actually talk about how we would do it? How we can see a thing to work, very interactive!

You know that is why it gets a 3, it is entertainment and it works. But you simply forget it exists! It doesn't leaves anything behind! There is no sticking power no deeper thoughts. 3 out of 10 it is!

The results of one of the experiments were forged (the one with alkali metals). The crew admitted that. I wonder how many more were forged, and they got away with that. Even without forged results, scientific methodology (replication, statistical significance testing) simply doesn't exist in the show.

"Science abuse" indeed.