View source for MythBusters

{{Short description|Science entertainment television program}}
{{Update|reason=the information is outdated/incomplete when it comes to post-original show content|date=February 2020}}
{{Lead too long|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = MythBusters title screen.jpg
| caption              = ''MythBusters'' title screen from 2003–2016
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Factual television]]
* [[Science]]
* [[Technology]]
}}
| creator              = [[Peter Rees (producer)|Peter Rees]]
| presenter            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jamie Hyneman]]
* [[Adam Savage]]
* [[Kari Byron]]
* [[Tory Belleci]]
* [[Grant Imahara]]
* [[Scottie Chapman]]
* [[Jessi Combs]]
* [[Jon Lung]]
* Brian Louden
* [[Bisi Ezerioha]] 
* Faye Hadley
}}
| narrated             = {{Plainlist|
* [[List of MythBusters cast members#Robert Lee|Robert Lee]]
* [[Robin Banks]] (Europe)
}}
| open_theme           = {{Plainlist|
* "MythBusters Demo Theme" by [[Daniel Thomas (composer)|Daniel Thomas]], [[Bob Brozman]] (composer) (2002)
* "MythBusters Original Theme" by [[Neil Sutherland (composer)|Neil Sutherland]] (2003–2005)
* "MythBusters Original Theme" (2006 Remaster) by [[Neil Sutherland (composer)|Neil Sutherland]] (2006–2010)
* "MythBusters Theme" (The Dandy Warhols Remix) by [[The Dandy Warhols]] (2011–2014; 2021)
* "MythBusters Theme Remix" by [[Neil Sutherland (composer)|Neil Sutherland]] (2015–2018)
}}
| composer             = {{Plainlist|
* Daniel Thomas (pilot)
* Bob Brozman (pilot)
* [[Neil Sutherland (composer)|Neil Sutherland]]
}}
| country              = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* Australia<ref name="beyond">{{cite web|url=http://www.beyond.com.au/index.php?option=com_vcatalogue&task=view_details&vid=208&Itemid=21&genre_id=19&keywords=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102115/http://www.beyond.com.au/index.php?option=com_vcatalogue&task=view_details&vid=208&Itemid=21&genre_id=19&keywords=|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 6, 2011|title=MythBusters|publisher=Beyond Distribution|access-date=October 18, 2010}}</ref>
}}
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 17{{efn|group=note|Each calendar year is defined as a season, this count includes the pilot season, but not the special season. On some listings and streaming/video-on-demand services, the season count is 19 for the original series.}}
| num_episodes         = 296
| list_episodes        = List of MythBusters episodes
| camera               = [[multiple-camera setup|Multiple]]
| runtime              = {{Plainlist|
* 43–44 minutes (broadcast cut)
* 48–50 minutes (original cut)
}}
| company              = [[Beyond International]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beyondrights.tv/programme/mythbusters|title=Beyond Rights|website=Beyondrights.tv|access-date=June 9, 2022|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814041006/https://beyondrights.tv/programme/mythbusters|url-status=live}}</ref>
| network              = [[Discovery Channel]]
| network2             = [[Science Channel]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2003|01|23}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2016|03|06}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2017|11|15}}
| last_aired2          = {{End date|2018|02|28}}
| related              = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Head Rush (TV series)|Head Rush]]''
* ''[[MythBusters: The Search]]''
* ''[[MythBusters Jr.]]''
* ''[[Savage Builds]]''
* ''Motor MythBusters''
* ''[[White Rabbit Project (TV series)|White Rabbit Project]]''
* ''MythBusters: There's Your Problem''
* ''The Great Escapists''
* ''[[Unchained Reaction]]''
}}
}}

'''''MythBusters''''' is a science entertainment television series created by [[Peter Rees (producer)|Peter Rees]] and produced by [[Beyond International]] in Australia.<ref name="beyond" /> The series premiered on the [[Discovery Channel]] on January 23, 2003. It was broadcast internationally by many television networks and other Discovery channels worldwide. The show's original hosts, [[special effects]] experts [[Adam Savage]] and [[Jamie Hyneman]], used elements of the [[scientific method]] to [[Debunker|test the validity]] of rumors, myths, movie scenes, [[adage]]s, [[Internet video]]s, and news stories.

Filmed in [[San Francisco]] and edited in [[Artarmon]], Sydney, ''MythBusters'' aired 282 total episodes before its cancellation at the end of the [[MythBusters (2016 season)|2016 season]] in March.<ref>[https://mumbrella.com.au/beyond-productions-score-emmy-nomination-for-mythbusters-71480 Beyond Productions score Emmy nomination for Mythbusters] ''[[Mumbrella]]'' July 15, 2011</ref> Planning and some experimentation took place at Hyneman's workshops in San Francisco; experiments requiring more space or special accommodations were filmed on location, typically around the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] and other locations in [[Northern California]], going to other states, or even countries on occasion when required. During the second season, members of Savage and Hyneman's behind-the-scenes team were organized into a second team of MythBusters, "The Build Team". They generally tested myths separately from the main duo and operated from another workshop. This arrangement continued until August 2014, when it was announced at the end of "[[MythBusters (2014 season)#Episode 222 – "Plane Boarding"|Plane Boarding]]" that [[Tory Belleci]], [[Kari Byron]], and [[Grant Imahara]] would be leaving the show. Savage and Hyneman subsequently hosted the final two seasons alone.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|last1=Leopold|first1=Todd|title=MythBusters' losing some regulars|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/22/showbiz/tv/mythbusters-cast-members-leaving|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=August 23, 2014|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116093148/https://www.cnn.com/2014/08/22/showbiz/tv/mythbusters-cast-members-leaving|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="E Online">{{cite web|last1=Harnick|first1=Chris|title=MythBusters Stars Kari Byron, Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara Are Leaving the Show|date=August 22, 2014|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/571864/mythbusters-stars-kari-byron-tory-belleci-and-grant-imahara-are-leaving-the-show|publisher=E Online|access-date=August 23, 2014|archive-date=February 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218083826/https://www.eonline.com/news/571864/mythbusters-stars-kari-byron-tory-belleci-and-grant-imahara-are-leaving-the-show|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 21, 2015, producers announced that ''MythBusters'' would air its 14th and final season in 2016. The show aired its final episode with the original cast on March 6, 2016.

Kari Byron, Tory Belleci, and Grant Imahara, former ''MythBusters'' stars, led the Netflix show ''[[White Rabbit Project (TV series)|White Rabbit Project]]'', which premiered on December 9, 2016. Through experiments and tests, they delve into topics such as [[Prison escape|jailbreaks]], [[Superpower (ability)|superpower technology of fictional heroes]], [[Bank heist|heists]], and [[Wunderwaffe|WWII weapons]]. Despite mixed to positive reviews, the series was canceled after one season.

On November 15, 2017, sister network [[Science Channel]] revived the series with new hosts [[Jon Lung]] and Brian Louden, who were selected by the competition spin-off ''[[MythBusters: The Search]]''.<ref name="Deadline 2017">{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/science-channel-mythbusters-return-date-mysteries-of-the-missing-series-hosted-terry-oquinn-tca-1202136003/|title=Science Channel Sets 'Mythbusters' Return Date – TCA|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=July 26, 2017|work=Deadline|access-date=July 30, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225022021/https://deadline.com/2017/07/science-channel-mythbusters-return-date-mysteries-of-the-missing-series-hosted-terry-oquinn-tca-1202136003/|url-status=live}}</ref> The revival was filmed in [[Santa Clarita, California|Santa Clarita]] and on location in other parts of [[Southern California]], airing for two seasons that lasted until 2018. Savage later returned in ''[[MythBusters Jr.]]'', a spin-off featuring children.

In 2021, Beyond Television produced and aired a new title of the franchise, ''Motor MythBusters'', for [[Motor Trend (TV network)|Motor Trend]]. Belleci returned for the series and was joined by engineer [[Bisi Ezerioha]] and mechanic Faye Hadley. The series focused on testing myths and urban legends about automobiles.

Also in 2021, excerpts of the original seasons (2003–2016) were used to produce ''MythBusters: There's Your Problem!'' for several streaming services. In this repackaging, each episode is summarized to include only the episode's experiments and conclusions.

The term ''MythBusters'' may be used to refer to both the program and the [[#Cast|cast members]] (without the italics) who test the experiments.

== History ==
The series concept was developed for the Discovery Channel as ''Tall Tales or True''<ref name="Knight_v_Beyond">{{cite court|litigants=Knight v Beyond Properties|opinion=<nowiki>[2007]</nowiki> EWHC 1251|court=England and Wales High Court (Chancery Division)|date=April 25, 2007|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2007/1251.html|archive-date=November 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121104905/http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2007/1251.html|url-status=live}}</ref> by Australian writer and producer [[Peter Rees (producer)|Peter Rees]] of Beyond Productions in 2002. Discovery rejected the proposal initially because they had just commissioned a series on the same topic. Rees refined the pitch to focus on testing key elements of the stories rather than just retelling them. Discovery agreed to develop and co-produce a three-episode series [[television pilot|pilot]].<ref name="MBchat_nov04"/><ref name="sneeze"/>

Jamie Hyneman was one of a number of special-effects artists who were asked to prepare a casting video for network consideration. Rees had interviewed him previously for a segment of the popular science series ''[[Beyond 2000]]'' about the British–American [[robot combat]] television series ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]''. Adam Savage, who had worked with Hyneman in commercials and on the robot combat television series ''[[BattleBots]]'', was asked by Hyneman to help co-host the show because, according to Savage, Hyneman thought himself too uninteresting to host the series on his own.<ref name="MBchat_nov04">{{cite web|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/chat/transcripts/04nov10/04nov10.html|title=Transcript of Jamie and Adam's November 10, 2004, Online Chat|work=MythBusters Official Website|publisher=Discovery Communications|date=November 10, 2004|access-date=October 18, 2010|archive-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001160801/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/chat/transcripts/04nov10/04nov10.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sneeze">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/000408.php|title=Adam Savage Interview – Part 1|publisher=The Sneeze|date=August 23, 2005|access-date=August 1, 2006|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022415/http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/000408.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

During July 2006, an edited 30-minute version of ''MythBusters'' began airing on [[BBC Two]] in the UK. The episodes shown on the European Discovery Channel sometimes include extra scenes not shown in the United States version. Some of these scenes are included in "specials", such as "[[MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode SP4 – "MythBusters Outtakes"|MythBusters Outtakes]]".

The 14th season, which premiered in January 2016, was the final season for the series with Savage and Hyneman.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/21/mythbusters-ending-interview|title=MythBusters to end with final season|date=October 21, 2015|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515043742/https://ew.com/article/2015/10/21/mythbusters-ending-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Adam Savage returned to TV with the show ''[[MythBusters Jr.]]'', without his original co-host Jamie Hyneman, but with a cast of teenagers, hence the name. The show debuted on the [[Science Channel]] on January 2, 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/12/28/mythbusters-kid-reality-trend-top-chef-ninja-warrior/2411627002/|title='Mythbusters Jr.' is just the latest kid-friendly reality spinoff: What's behind the trend?|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> with rebroadcasts every Saturday morning on Discovery, as well as international broadcasts.

== Cast ==
{{Main|List of MythBusters cast members}}
{{:List of MythBusters cast members}}
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman are the original MythBusters, and initially explored all the myths of the series using their combined experience with [[special effects]]. The two worked at Hyneman's effects workshop, [[M5 Industries]]. They made use of his staff, who often worked off-screen, with Hyneman and Savage usually shown doing most of the work at the shop. The show is narrated by [[List of MythBusters cast members#Robert Lee|Robert Lee]], though in some regions, his voice is replaced by a local narrator.

[[File:Mythbusters (7613445734) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The cast of ''MythBusters'' at Comic Con, 2012]]
As the series progressed, members of Hyneman's staff were introduced and began to appear regularly in episodes. Three such members, artist Kari Byron, builder Tory Belleci, and metal-worker [[List of MythBusters cast members#Scottie Chapman|Scottie Chapman]], were organized as a second team of MythBusters during the second season, dubbed the "Build Team". After Chapman left the show during the third season, Grant Imahara, a colleague of Hyneman's, was hired to provide the team with his electrical and [[robotics]] experience. Byron went on maternity leave in mid-2009, with her position on the Build Team temporarily filled by [[Jessi Combs]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/meet/jessi-combs.html|title=Jessi Combs Biography|work=MythBusters|publisher=Discovery Communications|access-date=August 3, 2009|archive-date=May 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502033433/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/meet/jessi-combs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> best known for co-hosting [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike's]] ''[[Xtreme 4x4]]''.

Byron returned in the third episode of 2010 season. The Build Team worked at its own workshop, called M7,<ref name="A day with the 'MythBusters'">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com/8301-13772_3-9882698-52.html|title=A day with the 'MythBusters'|first=Daniel|last=Terdiman|work=CNET – Geek Gestalt|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=October 18, 2010|archive-date=October 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011184513/http://www.news.com/8301-13772_3-9882698-52.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> investigating separate myths from the original duo. Each episode typically alternated between the two teams covering different myths. During the Build Team's tenure, Belleci was the only member to appear in every myth that the team tested. At the end of the 2014 season finale "[[MythBusters (2014 season)#Episode 222 – "Plane Boarding"|Plane Boarding]]", Savage and Hyneman announced that Byron, Belleci, and Imahara would not be returning in the 2015 season. This was reportedly over salary negotiations due to the rising cost of five hosts, however in a June 2025 podcast both Byron and Belleci confirmed that due to budget cuts they were offered contracts that comprised only three weeks of work, which when coupled with an exclusivity clause would have left them effectively unemployed.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sah3Ik-iy8 |title=Did Kari and Tory Ever Date? And Why They REALLY Left Mythbusters... |date=2025-06-02 |last=Mythfits Podcast |access-date=2025-06-08 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Hyneman and Savage returned to being the sole hosts.<ref name="CNN" /><ref name="E Online" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/mythbusters-drops-hosts-kari-byron-grant-imahara-tory-belleci/|title='MythBusters' drops hosts Kari Byron, Grant Imahara, Tory Belleci|last=Burton|first=Bonnie|publisher=CNET|language=en|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=April 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413030813/https://www.cnet.com/news/mythbusters-drops-hosts-kari-byron-grant-imahara-tory-belleci/|url-status=live}}</ref> Byron, Belleci, and Imahara went on to host [[Netflix]]'s ''[[White Rabbit Project (TV series)|White Rabbit Project]]''.

The series had two interns, dubbed "Mythterns": Discovery Channel contest winner [[List of MythBusters cast members#Christine Chamberlain|Christine Chamberlain]] and [[MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode 46 – "Archimedes Death Ray"|viewer building-contest winner]] [[List of MythBusters cast members#Jessie Nelson|Jess Nelson]]. During the first season, the program featured segments with [[folkloristics|folklorist]] [[List of MythBusters cast members#Heather Joseph-Witham|Heather Joseph-Witham]], who explained the origins of certain myths, and other people who had first-hand experience with the myths being tested, but those elements were phased out early in the series.

The MythBusters commonly consulted experts for myths or topics for which they needed assistance. These topics included firearms, for which they mostly consulted Lt. Al Normandy of the South San Francisco Police Department, and [[explosive material|explosives]], for which they consulted retired FBI explosives expert Frank Doyle and Sgt. J.D. Nelson of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. The MythBusters often asked other people, such as those supplying the equipment being tested, what they knew about the myth under investigation. When guests were on the show, the MythBusters generally consulted them or included them in the experiments.

== Episodes ==
{{Main|List of MythBusters episodes}}

No consistent system was used for organizing ''MythBusters'' episodes into [[Television season#Seasons/series|seasons]]. The program has never followed a typical calendar of on- and off-air periods. The official ''MythBusters'' website lists episodes by year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode.html|title=MythBusters: Episode Guide|publisher=[[Discovery Channel]]|access-date=October 22, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823161257/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode.html|archive-date=August 23, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Discovery sells DVD sets for "seasons", which sometimes follow the calendar year and sometimes do not.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.discovery.com/?pagemax=all&v=discovery_dvds-books_shows_mythbusters|title=MythBusters DVDs and Videos|publisher=[[Discovery Channel]]|access-date=October 22, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020170035/http://store.discovery.com/?pagemax=all&v=discovery_dvds-books_shows_mythbusters|archive-date=October 20, 2009}}</ref> Discovery and retail stores sell "collections", which divide up the episodes in a different way. Each collection has about 10 to 12 episodes from various seasons.

The following table is organized according to year of first broadcast.
{{:List of MythBusters episodes}}
<!-- To edit the table in this section you need to edit the table in [[List of MythBusters episodes]] -->

== Format ==
Each ''MythBusters'' episode focuses typically on two or more [[urban legends|popular beliefs]], Internet rumors, or other [[myth]]s. Many of the myths are on [[Special effect|mechanical effects as portrayed in live-action films and television]] of fictional incidents. The list of myths tested by the series is compiled from many sources, including the personal experiences of cast and crew, as well as fan suggestions, such as those posted on the Discovery Channel online MythBusters forums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/18/mythbusters-fans-want-to-bust-the-e-reader|title=MythBusters fans want to bust the E-reader|work=TV Squad|publisher=AOL Inc.|date=April 18, 2008|access-date=April 18, 2008|last=McDuffee|first=Keith|archive-date=April 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421223516/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/18/mythbusters-fans-want-to-bust-the-e-reader/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Occasionally, episodes are produced in which some or all of the myths are related by theme, such as pirates or sharks, and occasionally these are dubbed as "[Theme] Special" episodes. As of May 2009, four myths have required such extensive preparation and testing that they had entire episodes devoted solely to them,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Border Slingshot|episode-link=MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode 35 – "Border Slingshot"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=July 27, 2005|number=35}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Confederate Rocket|episode-link=MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode 40 – "Confederate Rocket"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=October 26, 2005|number=40}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Archimedes' Death Ray|episode-link=MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode 46 – "Archimedes' Death Ray"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=January 25, 2006|number=46}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Seesaw Saga|episode-link=MythBusters (2009 season)#Episode 120 – Seesaw Saga|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=May 20, 2009|number=120}}</ref> and four [[List of MythBusters special episodes|specials]] have been double-length.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=JAWS Special|episode-link=MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode SP8 – "JAWS Special"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=July 17, 2005|number=SP8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Mega Movie Myths 2 Hour Special|episode-link=MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode SP9 – "Mega Movie Myths 2 Hour Special"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=September 13, 2006|number=SP9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Pirate Special|episode-link=MythBusters (2007 season)#Episode 71 – "Pirate Special"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=January 17, 2007|number=71}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Supersized Myths|episode-link=MythBusters (2007 season)#Episode 90 – "Supersized Myths"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=November 14, 2007|number=90}}</ref> Several episodes, including the 2006 Holiday Special, have included the building of [[Rube Goldberg machine]]s. Before a myth is introduced by the hosts, a myth-related drawing is made on a blueprint. After the hosts introduce the myth, a comical video explaining the myth is usually shown.

=== Experiment approach ===
The MythBusters typically test myths in a two-step process. In early episodes, the steps were described as "replicate the circumstances, then duplicate the results" by Savage.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Explosive Decompression, Frog Giggin', Rear Axle|episode-link=MythBusters_(2004_season)#Episode 9 – "Explosive Decompression, Frog Giggin', Rear Axle"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=January 11, 2004|number=9}}</ref> This means that first the team attempts to recreate the circumstances that the myth alleges, to determine whether the alleged result occurs. If that fails, they attempt to expand the circumstances to the point that will cause the described result, which often reveals that the claims of the myth are objectively ridiculous or impossible to achieve without specialized training or equipment. Occasionally, the team, usually Savage and Hyneman, holds a friendly competition between themselves to see which of them can devise a more successful solution to recreating the results. This is most common with myths involving building an object that can accomplish a goal. For example, rapidly cooling a [[beer]], or finding a [[MythBusters (2004 season)#Needle in a Haystack|needle in a haystack]].

While the team obeys no specific formula in terms of physical procedure, most myths involve construction of various objects to help test the myth. They use their functional workshops to construct whatever is needed, often including mechanical devices and [[Set construction|sets]] to simulate the circumstances of the myth. Human actions are often simulated by mechanical means to increase safety, and to achieve consistency in repeated actions. Methods for testing myths are usually planned and executed in a manner to produce visually dramatic results,<ref name="kaboom">This is self-acknowledged in season two's bathtub electrocution myth: [Announcer:] "...but it wouldn't be ''MythBusters'' without pyrotechnics, so Adam's rigged up a flashpot to ignite when [a lethal electrocution occurs]." Tory also dubs this "the MythBuster way",</ref> which generally involves explosions, fires, or vehicle crashes. Thus, myths or tests involving [[explosive material|explosives]], [[firearm]]s, and [[vehicle]] [[Car accident|collisions]] are relatively common.

Results are measured in a manner scientifically appropriate for the given experiment. Sometimes, results can be measured by simple numerical measurement using standard tools, such as [[multimeter]]s for electrical measurements, or various types of [[thermometer]]s to measure temperature. To gauge results that do not yield numerical quantities, the teams commonly make use of several types of equipment that can provide other forms of observable effects. When testing physical consequences to a human body, which would be too dangerous to test on a living person, the MythBusters commonly use analogues.

Early episodes made heavy use of [[Crash test dummy|crash-test dummies]] for observing [[blunt trauma]] injury, and [[ballistic gelatin]] for testing [[penetrating trauma]]; whatever form and function it possessed, the dummy would always be named [[List of MythBusters cast members#Buster|Buster]]. The crew progressed to using pig [[Cadaver|carcasses]] when an experiment required a more accurate simulation of human flesh, bone, and organs. Occasionally, real or simulated bones were molded within ballistics gel for simulations of specific body parts. Synthetic cadavers, or SynDavers, were used in a few tests such as in the [[MythBusters (2013 season)#Car Cushion|"Car Cushion"]] myth.

Both for the purposes of visual observation to determine a result and simply as a unique visual for the program, [[high-speed camera]]s are used during experiments and have become a trademark of the series. Very fast footage of moving objects in front of a measured scale is commonly used to determine the speed of the object.

Testing is often edited due to time constraints of a televised episode. It can often seem as if the teams draw results from fewer repetitions and a smaller [[data]] set than they actually have. During the [[List of MythBusters special episodes#Special 4 — "MythBusters Outtakes"|"Outtakes Special"]], they specifically stated that while they are, in fact, very thorough in testing myths and repeat experiments many times in many different configurations, it is simply impossible to display the entire process during a program. Beginning in the [[MythBusters (2007 season)|fifth season]], episodes typically contain a prompt for the viewer to visit the show's homepage to view outtake footage of either additional testing or other facets of the myths being tested. However, Savage himself has acknowledged that they do not purport always to achieve a satisfactorily large enough set of results to overcome definitively all [[Selection bias|bias]].<ref name="ResultsQuote"><!--Seemingly self-shot, or self-published video. Hopefully passes copyright issues. If not, please leave the quote anyway-->{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7425FD3If8w|title=Adam Savage at The Last HOPE|date=July 2008|access-date=October 18, 2010|quote=We will absolutely revisit when we think we screwed up the results. We won't stand by our results—you can't with a data set of one, and two, and five. But we do stand by our methodologies.|time=4 minutes 37 seconds}}</ref> In response to criticisms they receive about their methods and results in previous episodes,<ref name="ResultsQuote" /> the staff produced several "Myths Revisited" episodes in which the teams retest myths to see if the complaints have merit. These episodes have sometimes resulted in overturning results of several myths, as well as upholding some results for reasons different from the original.

Occasionally, the MythBusters take the opportunity to test "mini-myths" during the course of one of the episode's main myths, usually in the name of satisfying personal curiosity. These can either be planned in advance to take advantage of the testing location—for instance, in the "Peeing on the Third Rail" myth Adam got permission to find out if placing coins on a train track was sufficient to derail a train (he found that the test locomotive was not affected at all)—or can simply take place without prior planning.

==Rejected myths==
MythBusters refuse to test some myths. [[Paranormal]] concepts, such as [[extraterrestrials|aliens]] or [[ghosts]], are not addressed because they cannot be tested by [[scientific method]]s, although one exception, [[pyramid power]], prompted Adam to comment, "No more 'oogie-boogie' myths, please" and stated at a tour show in [[Indianapolis]] in 2012 that it was a mistake. Another myth related to the paranormal was the [[MythBusters (2013 season)#The Haunted Hum|"Haunted Hum" myth]], which involved testing if a particular, inaudible sound frequency can lead people to believe that an area is haunted.

The program generally avoided experiments harmful to live animals, though in one episode, they bombarded [[cockroach]]es and other laboratory insects with lethal doses of [[radiation]]. The cast addressed this, saying that the insects were specifically bred for experiments, and would have likely died anyway. However, animal carcasses, including those of pigs and chickens, were often used, but the MythBusters repeatedly emphasized that the animals died of natural causes.

The book ''MythBusters: The Explosive Truth Behind 30 of the Most Perplexing Urban Legends of All Time'' ({{ISBN|1-4169-0929-X}}) gives a list of a dozen myths that are unlikely to be explored, although four were eventually tested. Savage commented that testing myths that require them to disprove general claims is difficult because of the inherent difficulty in [[Burden of proof (philosophy)#Proving a negative|proving a negative]]. As a result, when they pursued such myths, they typically went about disproving specific methods that claim to achieve results.<ref><!--Seemingly self-shot, or self-published video. Hopefully passes copyright issues. If not, please leave the quote anyway-->{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7425FD3If8w|title=Adam Savage at The Last HOPE|date=July 2008|quote=Savage gives the example that when testing whether obtaining "free energy" (as in building a system that outputs more energy than it requires in input) is possible, the best they could do was to test existing products that claim to produce free energy.|access-date=October 18, 2015|archive-date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116173623/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7425FD3If8w|url-status=live}}</ref>

Certain myths are not tested due to various objections by Discovery Channel or their advertisers, most notably myths pertaining to [[radio-frequency identification]] vulnerability.<ref>{{cite web|last=Doctorow|first=Cory|title=Credit-card companies killed MythBusters segment on RFID vulnerabilities|url=http://boingboing.net/2008/08/30/creditcard-companies.html|publisher=BoingBoing|date=August 30, 2008|access-date=October 18, 2010|location=Hope Hackercon|format=Note: Adam Savage later retracted his statement on who prevented the myth from being tested, but his statement that they shall not pursue RFID still stands.|archive-date=July 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702211417/http://www.boingboing.net/2008/08/30/creditcard-companies.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Doctorow|first=Cory|title=MythBusters host: credit-card companies DIDN'T kill segment on RFID vulnerabiliies|url=http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/04/mythbusters-host-cre.html|publisher=BoingBoing|date=September 4, 2008|access-date=October 18, 2010|archive-date=May 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518230858/http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/04/mythbusters-host-cre.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref><!--Seemingly self-shot, or self-published video. Hopefully passes copyright issues. If not, please leave the quote anyway-->{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZRmms0sZ8w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/BZRmms0sZ8w |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Adam Savage at The Last HOPE|date=July 2008|quote=Savage discusses an incident in which Discovery refused to air an episode testing commercial teeth-whitening products after advertisers expressed concerns.}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref><!--Seemingly self-shot, or self-published video. Hopefully passes copyright issues. If not, please leave the quote anyway-->{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7425FD3If8w|title=Adam Savage at The Last HOPE|date=July 2008|quote=Savage discusses how Discovery continuously responds to his desires to test audiophile myths, deeming them too boring; especially visually.|access-date=October 18, 2015|archive-date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116173623/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7425FD3If8w|url-status=live}}</ref> Through nine seasons, 2,391 experiments were performed and 12 [[TNT equivalent|tons of explosives]] were used to test 769 myths.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/about-this-show/mythbusters-by-the-numbers.htm|title=MythBusters by the numbers|publisher=Discovery Channel|access-date=August 18, 2013|archive-date=November 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104011007/http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/about-this-show/mythbusters-by-the-numbers.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The team expressed reluctance to test conspiracy-theory myths, such as the [[John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories|JFK assassination]] or [[9/11 conspiracy theories|9/11 conspiracies]], although [[MythBusters (2008 season)#Episode 104 – "NASA Moon Landing"|they have tested]] some of the conspiracy theories relating to the [[Moon landing conspiracy theories|''Apollo'' Moon landings]].

== Outcomes of the experiments ==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2019}}
By the end of each episode, the myths are rated "busted", "plausible", or "confirmed".

=== Busted ===
Myths are rated as "busted" when the myth's results cannot be replicated under either the described parameters or reasonably exaggerated ones. Often, when a myth is declared busted, the team will attempt to see what would be required to replicate the result of the myth through scientific means, discarding the original parameters of the myth itself. Going to absolute limits of what is physically possible to replicate the results is the origin of what is unofficially titled the ''MythBusters'' motto, "If it's worth doing, it's worth ''over''doing."

This is commonly referred to in the series as "the MythBusters way", and often reveals that the circumstances required to accurately recreate a "busted" myth are physically impossible or highly unlikely to occur with the scientific facts presented, or the equipment used in the myth used to gain the results is neither available to the general public, nor capable of producing the results. For example, when trying to see if diamonds can be made with a microwave, and the myth was busted, the team arranges with an expert to have diamonds created with a large quantity of explosives.

Some of these myths are retested if the viewers are dissatisfied with the results, and are declared "rebusted" if the results of this second attempt result in the same conclusions as the original attempts. On rare occasions, retested myths result in a conclusion different from the first attempt, usually going from "busted" the first time, to "plausible" or even "confirmed" on the retest.

=== Plausible ===
Plausible is given under a few circumstances:
*The myth's results can only be replicated by expanding some parameters of the myth by a realistic and reasonable margin. This may have been because of the myth having been altered slightly over time by it being told and retold by the time it was tested by the MythBusters. Also, certain materials may have had to be substituted for others in some cases as a matter of necessity during the course of the myth being tested, but the new materials are almost always very similar to the materials specified and usually are readily available, so as to prevent it from being prohibitively costly or impractical.
*Plausible is given if no documentation of the myth occurred at the time of the episode's production, yet the MythBusters were still able to duplicate it very closely as to how the myth was described (such as the myth that pirates wore [[MythBusters (2007 season)#Episode 71 – "Pirate Special"|eye patches to keep their night vision]], or an [[Talk-down aircraft landing|untrained pilot was talked through landing an airplane]]).
*If the myth's results are achieved using the method described, but the underlying reason is different from the one described in the myth (such as in the myth of [[MythBusters (2008 season)#Episode 107 – "Water Stun Gun"|throwing a fire extinguisher into a fire]] to make it explode and extinguish the fire)
*If it requires a highly improbable set of circumstances, yet is shown to be possible under similar yet artificial circumstances, plausible is used. For example, in the myth of "[[MythBusters (2006 season)#Firearms Folklore|Can two colliding bullets fuse together?]]", two bullets were shown to fuse together, but would be exceedingly difficult to actually get two period guns with period ammunition to collide in the correct way to cause the result. The results can be created in a similar laboratory setting, but the chances of the myth actually happening as described are remote.
*If the results stated in the myth are attainable, but in such a way as to make the process either highly dangerous or less efficient than more common methods of achieving the same result, it is used. For example, in "[[MythBusters (2009 season)#Episode 124 – "Car vs. Rain"|Car vs. Rain]]", the MythBusters declared the myth "plausible (but not recommended)", due to the danger in driving a car at high speeds on a wet road, though the myth was completely true.<ref name=carvrain>{{cite episode|title=Car vs Rain|date=June 17, 2009|episode-link=MythBusters (2009 season)#Episode 124 – Car vs Rain|network=Discovery|series=MythBusters}}</ref>
*Plausible is used if a positive result is attained using surrogates for living creatures, but the procedure would result in injury or death if an actual creature were<!-- subjunctive --> tested. For example, in "[[MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode SP10 – "Holiday Special"|Holiday Special]]", two ballistics-gel replicas of pet dogs were used to test the myth that a falling frozen turkey would crush a household pet; both replicas sustained serious injuries, as determined by a veterinarian, and the myth was dubbed "plausible", as the Build Team was unwilling to test the myth on actual pets.
*Occasionally, a myth is labelled plausible if the described scenario produces a result similar to, but of less intensity than, the one described in the myth.

=== Confirmed ===
The term "true" was used instead of "confirmed" in the first season.
* The MythBusters are able to recreate or closely recreate the myth's purported outcome with the described circumstances. A "confirmed" myth is usually corroborated with documented evidence of actual occurrences.
* If the myth lacks any specific scenarios, the MythBusters test every reasonable scenario, and just one scenario is enough for them to confirm the myth. For example, when testing to see whether [[MythBusters (2007 season)#Episode 91 – "Shooting Fish in a Barrel"|shooting fish in a barrel]] was in fact very easy, in most tests, they could not hit the fish with a bullet, but the energy transfer to the water by the bullet was lethal to the fish; therefore, the myth was confirmed.
* If no instances of the event are documented as occurring in real life, but the myth was taken from a specific scene or character in a specific movie, the myth is confirmed if they are able to replicate it with the same circumstances. For example, the Build Team gave a verdict of "confirmed" for a scene in ''[[Point Break]]'' where two skydivers—one without a parachute—jumped off the plane at different times, and yet the second jumper was able to catch up to the first jumper. Though no cases of this ever being attempted in real life were documented, it was confirmed nonetheless, since it only came from a single scene in a specific movie. The same applied to the myth about the [[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]] driving his car at highway speeds into a [[semi-trailer truck]] via ramp, without any trouble; though Adam and Jamie found no real-life occurrences of the stunt other than movie or television productions, it came from a specific TV show, and thus was confirmed.
* In rare circumstances, a myth is considered confirmed when the testing process is intentionally stopped but news reports or other documentation are available that confirm it ''has'' happened at least once; in testing the [[MythBusters (2004 season)#Jet Taxi|jet taxi myth]] (in which a taxicab is flipped by the engine of a jet aircraft), both Adam and Jamie agreed that the myth could not be replicated accurately for insurance reasons, but news footage verified that such an event is possible. (In this case, three years later, they were allowed to [[MythBusters (2007 season)#Supersize Jet Taxi|return to the subject]] and confirm the myth using a Boeing 747.)

== Warnings and self-censorship ==
Many of the myths tested involve purported household scenarios, so all episodes begin with a disclaimer against attempting the experiments seen on the series; most episodes also feature a second warning halfway through the running time. These disclaimers are not broadcast on SBS in Australia, in the Netherlands, Discovery Mix in Sweden, Samsung TV plus MythBusters channel in the United Kingdom, Select DVDs in the United States, the Discovery Channel in Denmark, or on the Prime and Sky Discovery Channels in New Zealand. Often, they are presented with an element of humor, such as Savage wearing a padded suit as Hyneman hits him in the chest with a baseball bat, or Hyneman explaining that Savage and he are professionals before Savage slides into view and crashes into a barrier, while saying, "Don't try this at home!"

The series employs various degrees of safety- or courtesy-related [[censorship]]. Vulgar language is censored, as the show is considered family friendly, and most such language occurs spontaneously when the team is surprised or overexcited; at other times, a deliberate effort is made to keep the scripted material clean. In addition to the standard [[bleep censor|bleep]], the show often uses a relevant or humorous sound effect. [[Euphemisms]] and scientific terminology are used for potentially offensive terms.{{efn|group=note|For example, when testing myths about flatulence, the crew called the phenomenon by its scientific designation (e.g. "flatulence" or "''flatus''"), while the word "fart" was bleeped out.}}

In the "Peeing on the Third Rail" myth, the show censored the valve used to release urine from the dummy. The names of ingredients used in the production of [[hazardous materials]] and some explosives are usually censored to prevent amateurs from recreating potentially dangerous substances. For example, in the "[[LZ 129 Hindenburg|Hindenburg]]" special, Savage ignited [[thermite]] with a [[hypergolic]] mixture of "blur" (a syrupy, pale blue liquid) and "blur" (a dark powder). In a [[American Civil War|Civil War]]–themed episode, the ingredients for making a form of homemade [[gunpowder|black powder]] were censored in similar fashion.

In one extreme instance of self-censorship, the team explored an urban legend stating that a widely available material could be used to create an explosive. To their surprise, the seemingly unlikely legend proved true, but the material was so easy to obtain, and the resulting explosion so powerful, that the production team decided allowing such information to reach the general public would be irresponsible, instead electing to destroy all footage of the experiment and agreeing never to speak of the incident. Several years later, when [[DARPA]] solicited advice from the public regarding potentially unknown bomb risks, Savage contacted them about their discovery.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walsh|first1=Michael|title=Mythbusters Destroyed All Evidence of an Easy-to-Make Explosive|url=http://nerdist.com/mythbusters-destroyed-all-evidence-of-an-easy-to-make-explosive/|at=32:25–33:15|website=The Nerdist|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921000903/http://nerdist.com/mythbusters-destroyed-all-evidence-of-an-easy-to-make-explosive/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode 59 – "Crimes and Myth-Demeanors 2"|another episode]] that focused on myths surrounding electronic security devices, a segment was aired on defeating [[biometric]] [[fingerprint reader]]s using various methods. One of these techniques involved creating a fake three-dimensional fingerprint from a two-dimensional image of the authorized print. After some trial and error, the team successfully cast a viable [[ballistics gel]] reproduction using a copper-coated [[printed circuit board]], a picture of the fingerprint printed on [[transparency (projection)|acetate]], and a [[photochemical machining|photochemical]] [[Printed circuit board#Chemical etching|acid etching]] process.

After the reproduction was shown to defeat both fingerprint scanners, and although the chemicals used during the etching process are never identified, the narrator still hints at an important step having been edited out and discourages viewers from trying it themselves. None of the other techniques that successfully defeated the fingerprint scanners or the other security devices tested in the episode were censored or obfuscated, perhaps because the rest were all fairly simple and straightforward methods, such as holding up a bedsheet or moving extremely slowly to hide from [[ultrasonic sensor|ultrasonic]] [[motion detector]]s or holding up a pane of glass to defeat [[Passive infrared sensor|thermal motion detectors]].

Brand names and logos are regularly blurred or covered with tape or a ''MythBusters'' sticker. Brand names are shown when integral to a myth, such as in the [[MythBusters (2006 season)#Diet Coke and Mentos|Diet Coke and Mentos experiment]] or [[Pop Rocks]] in [[List of MythBusters pilot episodes#Pop Rocks|the first pilot episode of ''MythBusters'']].

The Diet Coke and Mentos experiment is also an outlier regarding their safety warnings, as Savage and Hyneman stated on-air that this myth was perfectly safe for viewers to replicate on their own. Another example of this is the "[[MythBusters (2008 season)#Phone Book Friction|Phone Book Friction]]" episode, in which they investigated the difficulty of pulling two telephone books apart after their pages had been interleaved. One episode from the 2014 season, "''DO'' Try This at Home?", classified several myths as safe or unsafe for testing by viewers.

== Accidents ==
Owing to the nature of the experiments performed on the show, many did not go as expected. Sometimes, these mishaps rendered the test equipment unusable, such as when the rocket in the "Rocket Car Revisit" episode exploded on ignition. Others even resulted in minor injuries to the personnel involved with the show, such as when Belleci banged his knee falling off a fire tower; the fall was expected and prepared for using a safety harness, but the injury to his knee was unforeseen. The most common injuries were caused when moving safety equipment, which resulted in stitches and at least four broken fingers.<ref name="StarTalk Radio">{{cite web|url=http://www.startalkradio.net/show/mythbusters-part-2|title=MythBusters (Part 2)|date=February 23, 2014|access-date=March 7, 2014|archive-date=March 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307140205/http://www.startalkradio.net/show/mythbusters-part-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- This does not need to be a complete list of minor mishaps on the show. There are just too many of them. --> These kinds of incidents were usually included in the broadcast program, with little other media attention, but some things failed in more spectacular and newsworthy ways.

=== Esparto accident ===
On March 20, 2009, the town of [[Esparto, California]], was shaken and windows were shattered by a blast created by {{convert|500|lb}} of [[ANFO]] during filming of the myth "[[MythBusters (2009 season)#Knock Your Socks Off|Knock Your Socks Off]]".<ref name="KCRAMarch2009">{{Cite news|url=http://www.kcra.com/news/19016582/detail.html|title=MythBusters 'Big Bang' Shatters Windows|publisher=[[KCRA-TV]]|date=March 25, 2009|access-date=December 11, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410084003/http://www.kcra.com/news/19016582/detail.html|archive-date=April 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Some residents were upset that the blast took place without "telling anyone".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WDDB&p_theme=wddb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=127284818CE8A448&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePMn|title=What we can learn from MythBusters|newspaper=[[Daily Democrat]]|date=March 24, 2009|access-date=December 10, 2011|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107103459/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WDDB&p_theme=wddb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=127284818CE8A448&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePMn|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chief Barry Burns of the Esparto Fire Department had several firefighters present for the explosion. He said he made the decision not to notify anyone in town for safety's sake. "''MythBusters'' is supposed to be a really popular show. Everybody would have been out there. We would have had to cancel it because it would have been too dangerous."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcra.com/Mythbusters-Big-Bang-Shatters-Windows/-/11798090/12688930/-/item/1/-/e06cf3z/-/index.html|title=MythBusters 'Big Bang' Shatters Windows|date=March 26, 2009|publisher=Kcra.com|access-date=June 12, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509013159/http://www.kcra.com/Mythbusters-Big-Bang-Shatters-Windows/-/11798090/12688930/-/item/1/-/e06cf3z/-/index.html|archive-date=May 9, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Representatives from the show replaced some of the windows that same day.<ref name="KCRAMarch2009" /> The experiment did air, but the hosts recounted in a 2011 special episode ("[[MythBusters (2011 season)#Special 2 – Location, Location, Location|Location, Location, Location]]") that they have never returned to the Esparto quarry as a result of the mishap.

=== Cannonball accident ===
On December 6, 2011, while conducting the "[[MythBusters (2012 season)#Cannonball Chemistry|Cannonball Chemistry]]" experiment, the MythBusters crew accidentally sent a cannonball through the side of a house and into a [[minivan]] in a [[Dublin, California]], neighborhood. Although the experiment was being carried out at the [[Santa Rita Jail#Bomb range|Alameda County Sheriff's Bomb Range]] under the supervision of the [[Alameda County Sheriff's Office]], the errant projectile went over its intended target of water barrels and instead skipped up a hill that was intended as a secondary safety target. The cannonball soared {{convert|700|yd}} into a neighboring community, striking a house and leaving a {{convert|10|in|adj=on}} hole, before striking the roof of another house and smashing through a window of a parked minivan. No one was hurt by the rogue cannonball.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/mythbusters-cannonball.html|title='MythBusters' misfire sends cannonball through neighborhood|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 7, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2011|archive-date=July 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720020508/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/mythbusters-cannonball.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ap/us/cannonball-fired-mythbusters-stunt-goes-through-du/nFwhg|title=MythBusters stunt sends cannonball flying through Bay Area home|website=Wsbtv.com|date=December 6, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115191608/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ap/us/cannonball-fired-mythbusters-stunt-goes-through-du/nFwhg/|archive-date=January 15, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

A show producer visited the homeowners to apologize,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mythbusters-misfire-cannonball-crashes-through-house-in-tv-show-mishap/|title="MythBusters" Misfire: Cannonball crashes through house in TV show mishap|first=Barry|last=Leibowitz|work=CBS News|date=December 8, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2011|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107103501/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mythbusters-misfire-cannonball-crashes-through-house-in-tv-show-mishap/|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by Savage and Hyneman; Savage later stated that the incident would not cause the series production to be suspended.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mythbusters-adam-savage-jamie-hyneman-cannonball-271493 |title='MythBusters' Stars Adam Savage, Jamie Hyneman Apologize for Cannonball Accident |first=Sofia |last=Fernandez |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=December 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107052834/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mythbusters-adam-savage-jamie-hyneman-cannonball-271493 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> Savage and Kari Byron returned to [[Dublin High School (Dublin, California)|Dublin High School]] on February 22, 2012, to participate in a moderated panel session at Dublin High School's Engineering and Design Academy Open House during [[National Engineers Week (U.S.)|National Engineers Week]] 2012, in part to help repair relations with the community. The sold-out event attracted over 1,000 attendees.<ref name="MythBusters hosts visit Dublin High">{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8554691|title=MythBusters hosts visit Dublin High|year=2012|publisher=BC 7/KGO-TV|access-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021215102/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8554691|archive-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="'MythBusters' TV stars talk science at Dublin High School">{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20025413|title='MythBusters' TV stars talk science at Dublin High School|year=2012|work=MercuryNews.com|access-date=March 1, 2012|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527222329/http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20025413|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Stars Of TV Show 'MythBusters' Visit Dublin High">{{cite web|url=http://pleasanton.patch.com/articles/stars-of-tv-show-mythbusters-visit-dublin-high-e28940c3#photo-9171778|title=Stars Of TV Show 'MythBusters' Visit Dublin High|year=2012|work=Patch.com|access-date=March 1, 2012|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204172232/https://patch.com/california/pleasanton/stars-of-tv-show-mythbusters-visit-dublin-high-e28940c3#photo-9171778|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MythBusters Adam Savage and Kari Byron Meet Dublin High and Fallon Students">{{cite web|url=https://onedublin.org/2012/03/01/mythbusters-adam-savage-and-kari-byron-meet-dublin-high-and-fallon-students/|title=MythBusters Adam Savage and Kari Byron Meet Dublin High and Fallon Students|year=2012|work=OneDublin.org|access-date=June 19, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619024322/https://onedublin.org/2012/03/01/mythbusters-adam-savage-and-kari-byron-meet-dublin-high-and-fallon-students/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:MythBusters Stars Adam Savage and Kari Byron at Dublin High School Engineering Academy Open House.jpg|thumb|240px|''MythBusters'' stars at Dublin High School]]

During the airing of the experiment on November 11, 2012, the Build Team apologized for the accident and explained that they suspended testing after it occurred to assess damage and start an investigation. The testing resumed several months later at a rock quarry in a much more remote area.

== Name lawsuit ==
In January 2005, children's author and adventurer [[Bowvayne|Andrew Knight]] commenced legal proceedings in Australia against Beyond Productions, the producer of ''MythBusters'', alleging [[passing off]] in relation to the use of the name "MythBusters".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/Opinion/Wheel-falls-off-serene-machine/2005/06/17/1118869093834.html|title=Wheel falls off serene machine (Here comes the son)|first=Jeni|last=Porter|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=June 17, 2005|access-date=October 18, 2010|archive-date=November 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116034929/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Opinion/Wheel-falls-off-serene-machine/2005/06/17/1118869093834.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Knight asserted that he had previously organized a team of "MythBusters" and had used the name continuously since 1988 in relation to pursuing myths, ghosts, monsters, goblins, and other such mysteries in an offbeat manner around the world. Knight wrote a series of self-published children's books under the banner "MythBusters" in 1991, 1993, and 1996.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bowvayne|first=Andrew E.|title=MythBusters|publisher=[[Puffin Books]]|year=1996|page=144|isbn=0-14-037554-6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bowvayne|first=Andrew E.|title=Nut Cases (MythBusters S)|publisher=Elfshot Productions|year= 1993|page=[https://archive.org/details/mythbustersnutca0000bowv/page/96 96]|isbn=1-898412-00-6|url=https://archive.org/details/mythbustersnutca0000bowv/page/96}}</ref>

In February 2007, the [[Federal Court of Australia]] dismissed Knight's claims against Beyond Productions.<ref>{{cite AustLII|FCA|70|2007|litigants=Knight v Beyond Properties Pty Ltd |date=8 February 2007 |courtname=auto}}.</ref> A parallel action, relying on the same three books and a collection of short television appearances, was brought later that year in the Chancery Division of the High Court of England and Wales. Beyond Properties Pty Limited was again a defendant, as were two other Beyond companies and Discovery Communications Inc, the entity responsible for broadcasting the ''MythBusters'' program in the UK. These claims were also dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Knight v Beyond Properties Pty Ltd & Ors, [2007] EWHC 1251 (Ch) {{!}} England and Wales High Court (Chancery Division), Judgment, Law, casemine.com |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a8ff76860d03e7f57eac34c |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.casemine.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Popularity and influence ==

Hyneman and Savage have appeared on numerous entertainment programs, such as ''[[Good Morning America]]'',<ref>{{cite episode|series=Good Morning America|title=(daily episode)|date=November 8, 2004|network=[[American Broadcasting Company]]}}</ref> the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/about/mythbusters-pop-culture.html|title=MythBusters in Pop Culture|work=MythBusters Official Website|publisher=Discovery Communications|access-date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> [[NPR]]'s news program ''[[All Things Considered]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10255528|title='MythBusters' Have Fun in the Name of Science|publisher=NPR|date=May 18, 2007|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215224420/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10255528|url-status=live}}</ref> the syndicated radio ''[[Bob and Tom Show]]'', and in the movie ''[[The Darwin Awards (film)|The Darwin Awards]]'' (as two military surplus vendors who sold a [[JATO]] rocket to the main character). ''[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic]]'' magazine's [[Daniel Loxton]] interviewed the duo in a 2005 article titled "MythBusters Exposed".<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.skeptic.com/the_magazine/archives/vol12n01.html|title=MythBusters Exposed|first=Daniel|last=Loxton|journal=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|volume=12|issue=1|year=2005|access-date=September 21, 2007|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604174758/http://www.skeptic.com/the_magazine/archives/vol12n01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hyneman and Savage spoke at the annual convention of the [[National Science Teachers Association]] in March 2006, and the California Science Teachers Association named them honorary lifetime members in October 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/science/21myth.html|author=John Schwartz|title=The Best Science Show on Television?|work=[[The New York Times]] (requires registration)|date=November 21, 2006}}</ref> In 2009, they were the featured keynote speakers at [[RSA Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://365.rsaconference.com/docs/DOC-2141|title=Keynote: Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman|work=[[RSA Conference]]|date=October 9, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021215747/http://365.rsaconference.com/docs/DOC-2141|archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> They also are occasionally interviewed for articles by ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' and are featured in that magazine's September 2009 issue.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/marketing/covers/?fullSize=http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/covers/200909.jpg&caption=September,|title=MythBuster Secrets|date=September 2009|magazine=Popular Mechanics|access-date=November 17, 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Hyneman and Savage occasionally appear at colleges around the United States to talk about what it is like to be a MythBuster; the show consists of an interview and discussion to give the audience the opportunity to ask the MythBusters questions. The Build Team members have sometimes made appearances in similar capacity. They hold lectures in both collegiate and corporate settings, though the technical colleges tend to be the most enthusiastic.<ref name="mit_sellout">{{cite web|url=http://lsc.mit.edu/schedule/current/desc-mythbusters.shtml|title=MythBusters Lecture |work=[[Traditions and student activities at MIT#Lecture Series Committee|lsc.mit.edu]] |date=November 4, 2006|access-date=January 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108185341/http://lsc.mit.edu/schedule/current/desc-mythbusters.shtml|archive-date=November 8, 2006}}</ref><ref name="ga_tech_sellout">{{cite web|url=http://www.wolfmanproductions.com/myth.htm|title=Wolfman Productions|website=Wolfmanproductions.com|access-date=January 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230125837/http://www.wolfmanproductions.com/myth.htm|archive-date=December 30, 2006}}</ref> They have spoken at [[Worcester Polytechnic Institute|WPI]], [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute|RPI]], [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], [[Michigan Technological University|Michigan Tech]], [[UC Berkeley]] and many others.<!--Please keep the list to five entries-->

[[File:Mythbusters2.jpg|thumb|At the [[Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge]] posing with [[Skulls Unlimited International]], Inc.'s [[Jay Villemarette]] and Joey Williams, 2004]]

Adam Savage has written a primer on mold-making for [[Make (magazine)|''Make'' magazine]], and has been featured guest at the [[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]] [[Maker Faire]] since 2008. Kari Byron was interviewed on ''The Late Show'', on January 16, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20060116.phtml|author=CBS|title=Late Show with David Letterman|website=[[CBS]]|date=January 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410195846/http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/wahoo/index/php/20060116.phtml|archive-date=April 10, 2008|access-date=December 9, 2010}}</ref>

People involved in survival stories reported in local newscasts have sometimes mentioned previous viewings of ''MythBusters'' as an influence to their actions. Twenty-three-year-old Theresa Booth of [[St. Martin, Minnesota|St. Martin]], Minnesota, credits a ''MythBusters'' episode for her infant child and her survival. On April 3, 2007, she skidded off the road into a drainage ditch, which had filled with flood water from the [[Sauk River (Minnesota)|Sauk River]]. Unable to open the door, Booth recalled [[MythBusters (2007 season)#Underwater Car|the "Underwater Car" myth]] and waited until the pressure equalized to open the door.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/How-Mythbusters-Experiment-Saved-Mother-Child-From-Drowning-122617.html|title=How A Mythbusters Experiment Saved A Mother And Child From Drowning|date=March 4, 2016|access-date=2018-11-20|publisher=Gateway Blend Entertainment|archive-date=November 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121022150/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/How-Mythbusters-Experiment-Saved-Mother-Child-From-Drowning-122617.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 19, 2007, in Sydney, Australia, a teenager named Julian Shaw pulled a fainted middle-aged man off the railway tracks near a train station to safety below the platform. He pulled back as the train passed, citing that [[MythBusters (2006 season)#Train Suction|the "Train Suction" episode]] affected his response.<ref name="trainnews">{{Cite news|title=Schoolboy Julian's lifesaving MythBuster moment|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=November 8, 2007|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/julians-mythbuster-moment/2007/11/08/1194329387281.html|first=Arjun|last=Ramachandran|access-date=November 9, 2007|archive-date=November 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109080458/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/julians-mythbuster-moment/2007/11/08/1194329387281.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 3rd Annual Independent Investigative Group [[IIG]] Awards presented an award to ''MythBusters'' recognizing the promotion of science and critical thinking in popular media on May 18, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iigwest.com/iigawards/2009/20090929_pressrelease.html|title=IIG &#124; The IIG Awards|publisher=Iigwest.com|date=August 21, 2010|access-date=July 1, 2011|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718144516/http://www.iigwest.com/iigawards/2009/20090929_pressrelease.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On the May 1, 2008, episode of ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]]'', "[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 8)#ep180|The Theory of Everything]]", Hyneman and Savage appeared in a cameo as observers taking notes during a test to determine whether a stun-gun bolt can set someone on fire under various circumstances (which was later tested on ''MythBusters'' itself).

During August 2008, Hyneman and Savage appeared on the stage of [[Nvision|NVISION 08]], an event sponsored by [[Nvidia]], having been asked by Nvidia's creative director, David Wright, to provide a visual demonstration of the power of the [[graphics processing unit]] vs a [[central processing unit]]. They did this by creating an image of the ''[[Mona Lisa]]'' with a giant [[Parallel computing|parallel processing]] [[paintball]] gun, setting a [[world record]] for largest paintball gun in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dvice.com/archives/2008/08/myth_busted_mon.php|title=Myth Busted: Mona Lisa painted in 275 milliseconds with 1,100 paintballs|last=Hall|first=Kevin|work=DVICE|publisher=[[SyFy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901203454/http://dvice.com/archives/2008/08/myth_busted_mon.php|archive-date=September 1, 2008 |date=August 29, 2008|access-date=October 18, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maclife.com/adamsavageextra?page=0,1|title=Adam Savage Interview – Have Mac, Will Bust Myths|first=Leslie|last=Ayers|work=MacLife|publisher=Future US, Inc.|date=August 13, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817230749/http://www.maclife.com/adamsavageextra?page=0%2C1|archive-date=August 17, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nvidia.com/object/nvision08_gpu_v_cpu.html |title=NVISION 08 Highlights: GPU vs CPU Demonstration |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=NVIDIA Corporation |access-date=December 11, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220145157/http://www.nvidia.com/object/nvision08_gpu_v_cpu.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An encore of the demonstration was given at [[YouTube Live]] featuring Hyneman standing in the path of the paintballs wearing a suit of [[personal armor|armor]].<ref name="paintball_with_armour">{{YouTube|xrixWmMoNR0|Live MythBusters}}. Retrieved January 6, 2009.</ref>

On the April 17, 2012, episode of ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'', "[[Rekindled]]", the character [[Abby Sciuto]] demonstrates a thermite fire to her boss, [[Jethro Gibbs]], by playing a clip from the ''MythBusters'' episode [[MythBusters (2008 season)#Better to End with a Bang|"End with a Bang"]]. Gibbs asks if the men in the clip are [[pyromania]]cs, and she replies, "Scientists, Gibbs! Okay, yeah, they're kind of pyromaniacs too".<!-- I don't have a copy of the episode any more to check the exact wording.  I copied what I see here http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/mythbusters?before=1334845914 -->

Hyneman, Savage, and others from the ''MythBusters'' crew have appeared at [[The Amaz!ng Meeting]], and subsequently were interviewed by [[Steven Novella]] and the "skeptical rogues" for the podcast [[The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe]].<ref>{{cite interview|url=http://media.libsyn.com/media/skepticsguide/skepticast2009-11-11.mp3|work=The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe|title=Podcast 225|subject=Adam Savage|type=Interview: Audio/.MP3|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite interview|url=http://media.libsyn.com/media/skepticsguide/skepticast2007-02-07.mp3|work=The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe|title=Podcast 81|subject=Adam Savage and Tory Belleci|type=Interview: Audio/.MP3|date=February 7, 2007|access-date=October 18, 2010}}</ref> On April 16, 2010, Hyneman and Savage received the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism from the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy.<ref name="MythBusters to Receive Harvard Humanism Award">{{cite web|url=http://harvardhumanist.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102:drawing-inspiration-from-the-arts&catid=6:lastest-news&Itemid=38|title=MythBusters to Receive Harvard Humanism Award|publisher=Huminist Chaplaincy at Harvard|access-date=October 18, 2010|archive-date=May 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519034006/http://harvardhumanist.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102:drawing-inspiration-from-the-arts&catid=6:lastest-news&Itemid=38|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:PH2010101803021 Mythbusters at the White House.jpg|right|thumb|At the White House]]
On October 18, 2010, President [[Barack Obama]], as part of the [[White House Science Fair]], announced he had taped a segment of ''MythBusters'' and would appear on December 8, 2010. Obama's segment covered the [[Archimedes]] solar ray myth.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2010/president-obama-announces-walk-role-discovery--940|title=President Obama Announces Walk-On Role on Discovery Channel's MythBusters, Which Premieres December 8 at 9 PM ET/PT|publisher=Discovery|date=October 18, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2010|archive-date=October 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019140335/http://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2010/president-obama-announces-walk-role-discovery--940/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/obama-commands-mythbusters-crew-to-fire-ancient-death-ray|title=Obama Commands MythBusters Crew To Fire Ancient Death Ray|first=Sam|last=Biddle|website=Gizmodo|date=October 19, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2010|archive-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022143341/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/obama-commands-mythbusters-crew-to-fire-ancient-death-ray/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Both men appeared at the [[Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear]] on October 30, 2010, in Washington, DC. They had an experiment with the crowd involving [[Wave (audience)|the wave]]. They had the audience make various noises (e.g. popping their cheeks or laughing) all at the same time. They also had everyone in the crowd jump up at the same time to see if it would register on a [[seismograph]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Seabrook|first=Andrea|title='Sanity/Fear' Rally A Protest Of The Absurd|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130952931|work=npr.org|access-date=July 17, 2013}}</ref>

Hyneman and Savage received [[Honorary degree|honorary doctorates]] from the [[University of Twente]] in the Netherlands for their role in popularizing science, on the occasion of the university's 50th anniversary, on November 25, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.at-aandrijftechniek.nl/nieuws/branche/4480/eredoctoraten-voor-mythbusters.html|title=Eredoctoraten voor MythBusters|publisher=Aandrijftechniek|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=July 1, 2011|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132507/http://www.at-aandrijftechniek.nl/nieuws/branche/4480/eredoctoraten-voor-mythbusters.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of November 2011, all five MythBusters have also appeared in new shows, segments, or specials for Discovery's [[Science (TV channel)|Science Channel]], including ''[[Head Rush (TV series)|Head Rush]]'' (Byron, 2010–present); ''[[Pumpkin chunking|Punkin Chunkin]] 2010'' (Hyneman and Savage); ''Flying Anvils 2011'' (Belleci); ''Road to Punkin Chunkin 2011'', and ''Punkin Chunkin 2011'' (Belleci, Byron, and Imahara); ''Large Dangerous Rocket Ships 2010'' and ''Large Dangerous Rocket Ships 2011'' (Byron); "Killer Robots: RoboGames 2010" (Imahara); ''[[Curiosity (TV series)|Curiosity]]'' (Savage); ''Punkin Chunkin 2012'' (Belleci, Byron and Imahara). Savage and Hyneman are judges on the game show ''[[Unchained Reaction]]'', which premiered in March 2012. Belleci and Byron are also hosts of the 2015 Science Channel show ''Thrill Factor''.

Aired on February 12, 2012, Hyneman and Savage lent their voices to ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[The Daughter Also Rises]]" to be featured on a show similar to ''MythBusters ''called ''Mythcrackers'' in which Hyneman and Savage take on the classic myth that a cat always lands on its feet. In the episode, they do not want to harm a real cat, so they took a [[Build A Bear]] carcass, stuffed it with ballistics gel, shot it with a 20-foot-barrel steam cannon, then made a scatter plot of the remains. By the end of the experiment, Hyneman asked, "What was it we were trying to prove again?", to which Savage replied, "Don't know, don't care." Clips from this show appeared in the ''MythBusters''' ''Simpsons'' Special that first aired in 2015.

On October 3, 2012, Byron and Belleci made a guest appearance on the Discovery series ''[[Sons of Guns]]''. They test-fired some of the weapons in the Red Jacket shop, then watched as the staff retested a myth busted by the Build Team in 2008, that a [[propane]] tank could explode when hit with a bullet.

[[File:Mythbusters (23353831281).jpg|thumb|The ''MythBusters'' at a 2015 performance in Iowa]]
In 2015, Hyneman and Savage appeared in a series of Australian television commercials for [[Dulux]] paint, depicting them testing the maker's claims of durability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adnews.com.au/news/dulux-use-mythbuster-tv-duo-for-biggest-ad-campaign-in-almost-a-century|title=Dulux use Mythbuster TV duo for biggest ad campaign in almost a century - AdNews|website=Adnews.com.au|access-date=June 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0wYZ0X_F9s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/w0wYZ0X_F9s |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Dulux Mythbusters Markers Challenge|last=Bhold.watch|date=February 1, 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTzT1yH9R68 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/TTzT1yH9R68 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Dulux Mythbusters Wine Challenge|last=Bhold.watch|date=February 1, 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2016, a ''[[New York Times]]'' study of the 50 television shows with the most [[Facebook like]]s found that ''MythBusters'' "has the second-highest share of 'likes' from men of any show in the data, after ''[[Fast N' Loud]]''".<ref name="katz20161227">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html |title='Duck Dynasty' vs. 'Modern Family': 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide |last=Katz |first=Josh |date=December 27, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170329083111/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Tours and exhibits ===
A traveling museum exhibit called "MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com/|title=Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition|publisher=Mythbusterstheexhibition.com|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402161629/http://www.mythbusterstheexhibition.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> was developed over the course of about five years, premiering at the [[Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago]], in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2011/10/03/5821905.htm|title=Discovery Communications and Exhibits Development Group Debut MythBusters Traveling Exhibition|publisher=Tmcnet.com|access-date=November 2, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610204837/http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2011/10/03/5821905.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, Savage and Hyneman created a live stage show called the ''MythBusters Behind the Myths'' Tour, in which they conduct experiments on-stage and discuss some background details of the show.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Margaret|title=Stage review: 'MythBusters: Behind the Myths' at Nokia Theatre|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/01/theater-review-mythbusters-nokia.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 16, 2012|archive-date=November 26, 2013|access-date=January 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126081154/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/01/theater-review-mythbusters-nokia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2014, they announced that the tour would be coming to Australia and New Zealand.{{Update inline|date=January 2019}}

The show and one particular episode (involving the myth of a cigarette being able to cause a fire when thrown into a pool of gasoline) was credited with helping to free a man from prison.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://innocenceproject.org/discovery-channel-mythbuster-john-galvan-wrongful-conviction-innocence/ | title=How Discovery Channel's 'MythBusters' Helped a Wrongly Convicted Man Prove His Innocence | date=October 5, 2022 }}</ref>

== International broadcasts ==
''MythBusters'' is broadcast in several countries, primarily by each country's version of the Discovery Channel. In some countries, the English speech is either [[Subtitle (captioning)|subtitled]] in the relevant language, or the narration voice-over is replaced, or the entire show (narration and hosts' voices) is [[dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]]. The [[United States customary units]], used by the hosts throughout the show, are converted to [[Metric system|metric]] in the process. In the UK since 2011, the use of US customary units in the show has often been retained, rather than being replaced with metric units. Sometimes, the part where the myth is explained in sketches is completely redrawn in that language. Excerpts of the show were also shown as part of the Beyond Television–produced ''[[Beyond Tomorrow (TV series)|Beyond Tomorrow]],'' revoiced by [[Matt Shirvington]].

== Revival and spin-offs ==
{{see also|MythBusters: The Search|MythBusters Jr.}}
In late March 2016, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' revealed that Discovery's sister network Science Channel was planning to produce a revival of ''MythBusters'' with a new cast, and that its hosts would be determined by a [[reality competition]] spin-off, ''Search for the Next MythBusters'' (later renamed ''[[MythBusters: The Search]]''), which was hosted by Nerdist's [[Kyle Hill (YouTuber)|Kyle Hill]].<ref name="variety-searchannounce">{{cite web|title='MythBusters' Revived at Science Channel with Reality Competition Series|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/mythbusters-reality-competition-science-channel-1201743062/|website=Variety|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419103512/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/mythbusters-reality-competition-science-channel-1201743062/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=James Hibberd |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Mythbusters spin-off reveals explosive first trailer |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/11/15/mythbusters-spinoff-search-trailer/ |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115080228/https://ew.com/article/2016/11/15/mythbusters-spinoff-search-trailer/ |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref> The revival, hosted by Brian Louden and [[Jon Lung]], would premiere its first, 14-episode season on November 15, 2017.<ref name="Deadline 2017" />

In September 2016, Beyond announced it was producing a new original series for [[Netflix]], ''[[White Rabbit Project (TV series)|White Rabbit Project]]'', starring Byron, Belleci, and Imahara.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dessem|first1=Matthew|title=MythBusters Build Team Reuniting for Netflix's White Rabbit Project|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/09/05/mythbusters_build_team_reunites_for_new_netflix_show.html|website=Slate|access-date=September 6, 2016|date=September 5, 2016}}</ref> It ran for one season of 10 episodes.

In April 2018, Adam Savage was announced to be returning to the franchise to host and executive produce a new spin-off, ''[[MythBusters Jr.]]'', with a 10-episode first season, which premiered in December 2018 with a sneak-peek episode, and the series officially starting January 2, 2019. The series features Savage working with a group of six young scientists. Savage stated that his goal for the series was to "start passing on everything to the next generation" as he grows older.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/adam-savage-reveals-his-reason-for-returning-to-mythbusters-discovery-channel/|title=Adam Savage returns to MythBusters with a young cast of scientists|date=2018-07-26|work=CNET|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727064847/https://www.cnet.com/news/adam-savage-reveals-his-reason-for-returning-to-mythbusters-discovery-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Malone|first1=Michael|title=Adam Savage to Host ''Mythbusters Jr.'' on Science Channel|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/adam-savage-to-host-mythbusters-jr-on-science-channel|website=Broadcasting Cable|publisher=NewBay Media, LLC|access-date=26 April 2018|date=10 April 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426080136/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/adam-savage-to-host-mythbusters-jr-on-science-channel|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, an automotive-focused spin-off was produced called ''Motor MythBusters'', with original Build Team member Tory Belleci being joined by Faye Hadley of the ''All Girls Garage'' series and professional race car driver [[Bisi Ezerioha]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gauthier |first=Michael |date=2021-06-09 |title=Mythbusters Alumni Tory Belleci To Star In Automotive-Focused Motor Mythbusters |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2021/06/mythbusters-alumni-tory-belleci-to-star-in-automotive-focused-motor-mythbusters/ |access-date=2022-01-18 |website=Carscoops |language=en-US |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610045129/https://www.carscoops.com/2021/06/mythbusters-alumni-tory-belleci-to-star-in-automotive-focused-motor-mythbusters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Robert Lee once again provided some voice over work for this series. The 13-episode series, which premiered on August 4, 2021, was initially only available on the [[Motor Trend (TV network)|Motor Trend]] app in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-10 |title=Motor MythBusters: Where Science Meets the Road, Starring Tory Belleci, Faye Hadley, and Bisi Ezerioha |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/motor-mythbusters/ |access-date=2022-01-18 |website=MotorTrend |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182714/https://www.motortrend.com/news/motor-mythbusters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> before being released through [[Amazon Prime Video]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Motor Mythbusters - Season 1 {{!}} Prime Video |url=https://www.amazon.com/Motor-Mythbusters-Season-1/dp/B09BV9FBX8 |access-date=2022-01-18 |website=Amazon.com |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118183147/https://www.amazon.com/Motor-Mythbusters-Season-1/dp/B09BV9FBX8 |url-status=live }}</ref> and having its premiere on Motor Trend's TV channel on January 18, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Justin |title=How to Watch Motor MythBusters |url=https://www.si.com/tv/entertainment/motor-mythbusters-series-premiere-jan-18-live-stream-watch-online-free |access-date=2022-01-19 |newspaper=How to Watch and Stream Major League & College Sports - Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119170149/https://www.si.com/tv/entertainment/motor-mythbusters-series-premiere-jan-18-live-stream-watch-online-free |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021 Beyond also repackaged segments from the original series grouped into themed episodes to create a spin-off called ''MythBusters: There's Your Problem''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MythBusters: There's Your Problem|url=https://beyondproduction.tv/key-shows/mythbusters-theres-your-problem/|access-date=2024-08-30|website=Beyond Productions|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830111223/https://beyondproduction.tv/key-shows/mythbusters-theres-your-problem/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2025, Kari Byron and Tory Belleci launched the ''Mythfits'' podcast, in which they explore contemporary science, history and culture as well as revisit their time on the show.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weprin|first1=Alex|title=‘Mythbusters’ Veterans Kari Byron and Tory Belleci to Launch ‘Mythfits’ Podcast|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/mythbusters-mythfits-kari-byron-tory-belleci-podcast-1236210097/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 1, 2025|date=May 8, 2025}}</ref> 

Savage has stated that he is unlikely to work with Hyneman on any future projects, stating that although they worked well together as a classic example of a [[double act]] (with Hyneman as the [[straight man]]), their personalities clashed off-screen and on-screen. Savage suspected that both Hyneman and he were enjoying spending time apart from each other.<ref>{{cite web |title=MythBusters' Adam Savage won't work with Jamie Hyneman anymore |website=[[Business Insider]] |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/mythbusters-adam-savage-wont-work-with-jamie-hyneman-anymore-2016-5 |access-date=May 18, 2016 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519111835/http://www.businessinsider.com/mythbusters-adam-savage-wont-work-with-jamie-hyneman-anymore-2016-5 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
=== Similar television series ===
{{div col}}
* ''[[Bang Goes the Theory]]''
* ''[[Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger]]''
* ''[[The Boffin, the Builder and the Bombardier]]''
* ''[[Brainiac: Science Abuse]]''
* ''[[Duck Quacks Don't Echo]]''
* ''[[Dude, What Would Happen]]''
* ''[[Food Detectives]]''
* ''[[It's Effin' Science]]''
* ''Man vs. Cartoon''
* ''[[Mega Builders]]''
* ''[[Penn & Teller Tell a Lie]]''
* ''[[Prototype This!]]''
* ''[[Proving Ground (TV series)|Proving Ground]]''
* ''[[The Re-Inventors]]''
* ''Rock and Roll Acid Test''
* ''[[Scrapheap Challenge]]''
* ''[[Smash Lab]]''
* ''[[Time Warp (TV series)|Time Warp]]''
* ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]] ''
* ''[[Unchained Reaction]]''
* ''[[Urban Legends (TV series)|Urban Legends]]''
* ''[[White Rabbit Project (TV series)|White Rabbit Project]]''
{{div col end}}

=== General ===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[List of common misconceptions]]
* ''[[The Skeptic's Dictionary]]''
* [[Snopes.com]]
* [[The Straight Dope]]
* [[Urban legend]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|MythBusters}}
{{Wikiquote|MythBusters}}
* {{official website|https://www.discovery.com/shows/mythbusters}}
* {{IMDb title|0383126}}

{{MythBusters}}
{{Discovery Channel programming}}
{{Urban legends}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:MythBusters| ]]
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