"Mythbusters" — the show that employs science and explosives to debunk longstanding urban legends and other myths — has been on the Discovery Channel for 10 years now. Among the show's subjects:
- Can a snapped steel mast cable slice a sailor in two?
- Will your stomach explode if you drink Coke and eat Mentos?
- Will sticking your finger into a barrel of a gun make it backfire?
Now, co-hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are starting a 29-city tour of their stage show called "Mythbusters: Behind the Myths." It's at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa Saturday night.
I've posted the long version of my interview with Adam Savage, in which I ask my own questions, like how the stage show is different from the TV show (lots of audience participation on stage), and how worried they are about science education in the U.S. ("Anybody who's paying attention is worried about science education.") Midway through the interview, by the way, a fire alarm goes off and hilarity ensues.
But I also asked Adam questions that came in this morning via Twitter:
Adam how many costumes do you have?
— Glenna Klabnik (@collegemom48)
About 40 full costumes. "I am currently working on a detailed inventory of my entire costume collection. But it is a long process because there are hundreds if not thousands of costume parts in my collection."
Being a walking dead fan, do you feel the walkers don't really seem like a big threat this season?
— Justin Ackley (@TinyBananaBone)
@KPCCofframp @donttrythis Being a walking dead fan, do you feel the walkers don't really seem like a big threat this season?
— Justin Ackley (@TinyBananaBone) November 19, 2013
"Compared to the Governor, absolutely the walkers are not that much of a threat."
how do you choose the myths you try?
— Zephyra Oziah (@Zephyra81)
"We get some from Twitter, we get some from fans on email, we get some from news stories that we read, and everything that's remotely interesting goes on a list." For what happens next (it's complicated), listen to the interview.
which myth was the most physically painful for you?
— Caliente (@diapowell1010)
When he had capsaicin injected under his skin. "Just on the straight empirical level [it] was incredibly painful although because I knew I wasn't being damaged, there was no fear component to the pain, and that's a significant component."
What is one myth you wish were confirmed instead of busted?
— CarlKerlQuarl (@CWinslowTomasel)
@KPCCofframp @donttrythis What is one myth you wish were confirmed instead of busted?
— TheMightofDemacia (@CWinslowTomasel) November 19, 2013
The one I mentioned above about the snapped steel cable. They tested it on pig corpses, "and all we were doing was denting the pigs."