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>> Narrator: DECK THE HALLS ON
THIS SPECIAL EPISODE.
THE MYTHBUSTERS ARE CRACKING
OPEN HOLIDAY MYTHS.
CAN TURKEYS EXPLODE?
>> TURKEY MASTER, I HAND YOU
YOUR BIRD.
>> Narrator: WILL A SPOON KEEP
CHAMPAGNE FIZZY?
>> IT'S LIKE DRINKING STARS.
>> Narrator: ARE THERE KILLER
ICICLES?
>> OH, WOW.
>> Narrator: AND WE UNWRAP THE
TOP-10, ALL-TIME FAVORITE
"MYTHBUSTERS" STORIES, AS VOTED
BY YOU.
WHO ARE THE MYTHBUSTERS?
ADAM SAVAGE.
>> I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND
SUBSTITUTE MY OWN.
>> Narrator: AND JAMIE HYNEMAN.
>> I KIND OF LIKE IT IN HERE.
IT'S PRIVATE.
>> Narrator: BETWEEN THEM, MORE
THAN 30 YEARS SPECIAL-EFFECTS
EXPERIENCE.
>> THAT WAS INTENSE.
>> Narrator: THEY DON'T JUST
TELL THE MYTHS...
THEY PUT THEM TO THE TEST.
>> MAN, JAMIE, IT SNOWED LIKE
CRAZY OUT HERE LAST NIGHT.
>> YEAH, THIS IS HOW IT SNOWS IN
SAN FRANCISCO -- IN PLASTIC
BAGS.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT
THE MYTH OF WHETHER OR NOT A
CLOTHED SNOWMAN MELTS SLOWER
THAN A NAKED SNOWMAN.
>> CAN WE SHOW A NAKED SNOWMAN
ON TELEVISION?
THIS IS A FAMILY SHOW.
>> MAYBE WE'LL PUT A FIG LEAF.
AT ANY RATE, LET'S JUST GET
STARTED MAKING SOME SNOWMEN.
JUST REMEMBER, EVERYONE, WE'RE
WORKING IN A REALLY COLD
ENVIRONMENT, SO IF YOUR FINGERS
START TO LOSE FEELING, MAKE SURE
YOU GO INSIDE AND GET A CUP OF
TEA OR SOMETHING.
>> THAT WOULD BE ADAM'S
UNTRIMMED NOSE HAIR.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO, WHAT DOES IT
SAY?
>> 80 DEGREES.
>> 80 DEGREES OUT HERE.
SAN FRANCISCO SUMMER.
LET'S START THE TIMER.
>> OKAY.
>> AND GO!
>> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHILE
WE'RE WAITING?
>> Narrator: HOW ABOUT WATCHING
SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MYTHS?
>> LET'S COUNT THEM DOWN TOP-40
STYLE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
GET READY FOR YOUR FAVORITE
MYTH.
>> Narrator: THE NUMBER-10
VIEWER PICK WAS THE ONE ABOUT
CDs SHATTERING IN SUPER-FAST,
MODERN DISC DRIVES.
>> MUST TEST CD-ROM.
>> Narrator: THE GUYS DAMAGED A
FEW DISCS AND MADE A BALLISTICS
GEL DUMMY TO GET DAMAGED.
>> YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED
A SIX-PACK.
>> Narrator: THEY COULDN'T GET
ANY DESTRUCTION AT ALL ON A
CONVENTIONAL DRIVE, BUT JAMIE
WOULD SOON FIX THAT.
>> FRANKLY, I'M TERRIFIED OF
JAMIE'S DRIVE.
HE'S BUILT THE EQUIVALENT OF A
300-SPEED DRIVE IN THERE.
>> THIS MOTOR IS SET TO GO MAYBE
90,000 RPM IF NOT FOR THE DRAG
ON IT.
>> ALL THE WAY, BABY.
ALL THE WAY.
COME ON!
YES!
COULD THIS BE IT?
WHOA HO HO!
YES!
[ LAUGHS ]
IT'S A HORROR SHOW.
LOOK AT THIS.
IT'S EMBEDDED LIKE TWO INCHES
INTO HIS FLESH.
THAT'S BAD.
>> Narrator: IN FACT, MOST OF
THE UNDAMAGED DISCS SURVIVED AT
CONVENTIONAL SPEEDS.
THEY JUST WARPED.
>> YOU READY TO RAMP IT UP TO
DOUBLE SPEED?
>> I'M READY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GO, SPIN MAN.
>> Narrator: SO, AS A GRAND
FINALE, THE MYTHBUSTERS DOUBLED
THE SPIN POWER.
>> THREE, TWO, ONE.
[ LAUGHS ]
NEXT ONE.
IT'S LIKE LIGHTING A MATCH UNDER
THE THING.
AH!
[ LAUGHS ]
OKAY, NEXT ONE.
OH!
COULDN'T TAKE IT!
I THINK WE DID A GOOD DAY'S WORK
HERE.
THAT'S ASTOUNDING.
IT'S LIKE -- ALMOST LIKE
CHRISTMAS.
>> Narrator: SO, WHAT DID THEY
LEARN?
>> GIVEN THE MILLIONS AND
MILLIONS OF CDs THAT ARE OUT
THERE BEING BURNED ALL THE TIME
AND THE MAYBE DOZEN CASES THAT
WE'VE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING,
IT'S PRETTY MUCH ALMOST A
NON-EVENT.
>> I AGREE.
>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THE
AVERAGE BUYER HAS TO WORRY
ABOUT.
>> HIGHLY, HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SO, A CHECK-IN ON OUR SNOWMEN.
LET'S SEE HERE.
>> THAT LOOKS A LOT MORE INTACT
THAN YOURS DOES.
>> YEAH, I MEAN, MINE IS JUST
COMPLETELY COLLAPSING.
IT WAS AS BIG AS YOURS WHEN WE
STARTED.
WE'VE BEEN GOING FOR A COUPLE OF
HOURS NOW.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE YOURS IS
STARTING TO LEAN OVER.
I THINK IT'S GONNA CRUMBLE ANY
MINUTE NOW.
>> LET'S GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT
LONGER, AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT
HAPPENS.
>> Narrator: TO TEST AIRCRAFTS'
ABILITY TO WITHSTAND BIRD
STRIKE, THE MILITARY USES A GUN
TO FIRE CHICKENS AT WINDSHIELDS.
ACCORDING TO THIS MYTH, BRITISH
RESEARCHERS BORROWED IT BUT
COMPLAINED OF MASSIVE
DESTRUCTION.
>> NASA REPLIED, SAYING
"GENTLEMEN, THAW YOUR CHICKENS."
>> SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TESTING
HERE TODAY -- NOT THAT THERE'S A
CHICKEN GUN IN EXISTENCE, BUT
WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FROZEN AND
A THAWED CHICKEN AT A COUPLE OF
HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR TO AN
AIRPLANE WINDSHIELD.
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> Narrator: IN THE VIEWERS'
NINTH-FAVORITE MYTH, JAMIE AND
ADAM BUILT THEIR OWN CHICKEN
GUN...
AND BROUGHT IN AN AIRPLANE FOR
TARGET PRACTICE.
>> SO, OUR FIRST TEST IS A
FROZEN CHICKEN.
LET'S SEE HERE.
>> Narrator: WITH 120 PSI IN THE
TANK, THIS CHICKEN WAS DESTINED
FOR GREAT THINGS.
>> I'M GOOD.
>> ALL RIGHT.
GET OUT OF HERE.
>> WE ARE ARMING THE CHICKEN
CANNON!
>> THREE, TWO, ONE.
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> Narrator: SO, THIS WAS WHAT A
FROZEN CHICKEN LOOKED LIKE
TRAVELING AT 120 MILES PER HOUR
INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF A PLANE.
>> HERE.
WHERE'S THE CHICKEN?
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> THAT'S ABOUT ONE OF THE MORE
DESTRUCTIVE THINGS THAT I'VE
EVER DONE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> THAT WAS COOL.
>> THAT WAS EXCEEDINGLY COOL.
>> Narrator: NOW, WHAT SORT OF
DAMAGE WOULD ITS THAWED COUSIN
DO?
>> THREE, TWO, ONE!
>> Narrator: THE THAWED CHICKEN
FLEW A LITTLE SLOWER, BUT THE
PENETRATION SEEMED IDENTICAL.
AND THAT WAS THE STORY ALL
DAY -- SIMILAR SPEED, SIMILAR
DAMAGE.
ALL GREAT FUN UNTIL IT DAWNED ON
THE GUYS, THOSE WINDSHIELDS
WEREN'T RATED FOR BIRD STRIKE.
>> JAMIE, THAT'S THE BIGGEST
SCREW-UP WE'VE EVER DONE.
>> Narrator: THE NEXT ATTEMPT
WAS EQUALLY MESSY AND, ALAS,
EQUALLY INCONCLUSIVE.
THE CHICKENS WERE FIRED AT A
SOLID STEEL PLATE.
>> AND...
[ AIR WHOOSHES ]
IT AUTOMATICALLY DE-*** THE
CHICKEN, DIDN'T IT?
TWO...ONE.
[ AIR WHOOSHES ]
>> Narrator: THE MYTHBUSTERS
TIMED THE MOMENT OF IMPACT AS
THE CHICKENS IMPARTED THEIR
ENERGY.
>> ONE -- POINT OF IMPACT.
TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX,
SEVEN.
NOW IT'S STARTING TO MOVE BACK
AGAIN.
>> Narrator: .007 OF A SECOND.
AGAIN, FROZEN AND THAWED WERE
THE SAME.
GOOD ENOUGH FOR ADAM.
>> AT THESE SPEEDS, FROZEN OR
THAWED CHICKEN, MYTH BUSTED --
NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL.
>> Narrator: BUT JAMIE WANTED A
DEFINITIVE ANSWER.
SO, WHEN THEY REVISITED THE
MYTH, THEY TRIED AGAIN WITH
PANES OF GLASS.
FIRST, THE THAWED CHICKEN.
>> THREE, TWO...
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT.
IT DID NOT GO THROUGH ALL
12 PANES.
THE FIRST AND THE FOURTH SHEETS
OF GLASS.
>> Narrator: NOW, WOULD THE
FROZEN CHICKEN PENETRATE
FURTHER, AS PER THE MYTH?
>> IN FIVE, FOUR, THREE...
WELL, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE AS
DEFINITIVE AS IT GETS WITHIN THE
CONFINES OF THIS TEST.
>> Narrator: THEY MADE IT LOOK
LIKE ROCKET SCIENCE, BUT THE
MYTHBUSTERS FINALLY HAD THEIR
ANSWER.
YES, A FROZEN CHICKEN WILL
PENETRATE FURTHER THAN A THAWED
ONE.
>> THIS ONE'S A CLASSIC HOLIDAY
MYTH.
IT'S THE IDEA THAT A SILVER
SPOON PUT IN THE NECK OF AN
OPEN BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE WILL
ACTUALLY KEEP IT BUBBLIER THAN
ANY OTHER METHOD.
>> SO, IT LOOKS LIKE WE NEED TO
LEAVE ONE ALONE AS THE CONTROL,
RIGHT?
>> EXACTLY.
>> THEN THE OTHER ONE WILL HAVE
THE SILVER SPOON HUNG IN IT.
ONE THAT'S LEFT OPEN WITHOUT
ANYTHING ON IT.
>> CORRECT.
>> AND THEN ONE THAT WE'VE TAKEN
THE CORK OUT AND PUT IT BACK.
>> YES.
[ CORK POPS ]
OOH, I'M FEELING A LITTLE
LIGHT-HEADED ALREADY.
IT'S LIKE DRINKING STARS.
[ SLURPING ]
SO, WE HAVE OUR CONTROL, THE
SILVER SPOON, THE OPENED BOTTLE,
AND THE RECORKED BOTTLE.
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT, SO, WE'LL CHECK THEM
OUT TOMORROW AND SEE WHICH ONE
REMAINED THE BUBBLIEST.
>> WELL, NOW WE GET TO CHECK OUT
WHAT THE VIEWERS VOTED AS THEIR
NEXT FAVORITE MYTH.
>> CAPITAL IDEA, OLD MAN.
CHEERS.
>> AUSTRALIA.
>> Narrator: IN KEEPING WITH THE
CHAMPAGNE THEME, IN YOUR
NUMBER-EIGHT PICK, ADAM AND
JAMIE GOT DRUNK AT THE
SAN FRANCISCO POLICE CRIME LAB
TO TRY TO BEAT THE BREATH TEST.
>> VERY GOOD.
THAT'S VERY GOOD, THANK YOU.
HE'S AN .03.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> THAT'S AN .03?
>> IT'S AN .03.
>> WOW.
I SWEAR, I'M A CHEAP DATE!
>> ADAM, THE POLICE OFFICER SAID
YOU NEED TO DRINK MORE.
>> Narrator: THE IDEA WAS TO TRY
VARIOUS MYTHICAL TRICKS TO BEAT
THE BREATH TEST, BUT THEY NEEDED
TO BE DRUNK FIRST, A
BLOOD-ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .08.
>> I FEEL TOTALLY FINE.
ALLOW ME TO PLACE THIS ON YOUR
BREATH-TESTING MACHINE, AND I'LL
BE HAPPY TO BE TESTED.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> YOU ARE PRETTY SMELLY.
THAT'S IT.
KEEP IT UP.
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO
IS KEEP THAT SOUND GOING.
[ HIGH-PITCHED TONE ]
>> [ Laughing ] VERY...
VERY GOOD.
THAT'S GOOD.
>> .11.
>> .11.
>> ALL RIGHT.
FINALLY -- WHOO! -- WE'RE AT
.11.
WE'RE OVER THE LIMIT.
>> Narrator: JAMIE BLEW A LITTLE
LESS -- .09.
>> I KNOW I'M DRUNK, BUT I CAN'T
EVEN REMOTELY TELL THAT YOU'RE
DRUNK.
IT'S KIND OF ANNOYING.
I WANT TO SEE YOU PUT A
LAMPSHADE ON YOUR HEAD OR
SOMETHING.
>> SORRY, BUB.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.
BOOP!
[ LAUGHS ]
>> Narrator: AND SO TO THE TEST.
FIRST UP -- MINTS.
WOULD FRESH BREATH FOOL THE
MACHINE?
>> OKAY, THAT'S MINTY.
[ HIGH-PITCHED TONE ]
>> .10
>> .10
FAT LOT OF GOOD THAT DID ME.
>> Narrator: MAYBE SOMETHING
STRONGER...
LIKE ONION.
>> MY EYES ARE WATERING HERE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
[ HIGH-PITCHED TONE ]
>> NICE AND STEADY.
KEEP GOING.
>> JAMIE, THAT WAS A .08.
AND, JAMIE, THE ONION DIDN'T DO
ANYTHING.
>> Narrator: HOW ABOUT PENNIES?
>> YOU READY?
NICE, STEADY BLOW.
THAT'S IT.
[ HIGH-PITCHED TONE ]
VERY GOOD, THANK YOU.
.09.
PENNIES DON'T WORK.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> OH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...
>> Narrator: DENTURE CREAM,
PERHAPS.
[ HIGH-PITCHED TONE ]
>> ADAM, YOU DID A GREAT JOB.
>> OH, THAT WAS NOTHING, BABY.
[ LAUGHS ]
>> .11.
>> .11.
SO, DENTURE CREAM -- A NO-GO.
>> [ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
>> Narrator: ANOTHER
PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC MYTHOLOGY
SUGGESTED HYPERVENTILATING
MIGHT CLEANSE THE LUNGS OF
ALCOHOL FOR JUST LONG ENOUGH TO
PASS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
.11.
>> Narrator: THAT DIDN'T WORK
EITHER.
THE MYTHS WERE RUNNING DRY.
ONE LAST CONTENDER -- MOUTHWASH.
>> ONE WONDERS WHERE YOU DO THIS
IN A CAR WHILE THE POLICE ARE
COMING AROUND TO YOUR WINDOW,
BUT, NONETHELESS, WE'LL TRY IT.
>> NICE AND STEADY.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
[ COUGHS ]
>> .13.
>> SO, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT
MOUTHWASH DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.
IT WOULD SEEM THAT NOTHING
WORKS.
>> Narrator: ON "MYTHBUSTERS,"
THEY DID WHAT IT TOOK --
13 DRINKS, HYPERVENTILATING, A
MOUTHFUL OF MINTS AND ONIONS AND
PENNIES AND DENTURE CREAM.
IT SEEMS A SOBERING WARNING WAS
SOUNDED TO ANY POTENTIAL DRUNK
DRIVER.
>> DON'T DO IT.
USING THE MACHINE, YOU WILL BE
BUSTED.
>> YOU CAN'T BEAT THE BREATH
TEST.
>> [ HICCUPS ]
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> Narrator: MYTH NUMBER SEVEN
AS VOTED BY YOU -- CAN MIXING
POP ROCKS AND SODA MAKE YOUR
STOMACH EXPLODE?
TO TEST IT, THE GUYS HUNG A
PIG'S STOMACH INSIDE MIKEY
THE SKELETON.
>> AND, OF COURSE, ACTUALLY THE
INLET TUBE WILL COME UP AND OUT
THROUGH THE MOUTH OF THE
SKELETON.
AND YOU KNOW WHERE THE OUTLET
TUBE IS GOING?
>> NO.
WHERE IS THE OUTLET TUBE GOING?
>> OH, DON'T MAKE ME SAY IT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> Narrator: TO REPLICATE A
HUMAN STOMACH, THEY ADDED
DILUTED HYDROCHLORIC ACID.
THE POP ROCKS WENT IN FIRST.
>> OH, YEAH.
OH, YEAH.
>> UH, WE'RE CLAMPED EVERYWHERE.
ALL RIGHT.
>> Narrator: THEN THE ACID AND
SIX CANS OF SODA WERE PUMPED IN
THROUGH A GIANT SYRINGE.
>> OH, MY GOD, HE'S GOING FOR
ANOTHER ONE.
>> LISTEN, YOU CAN HEAR THOSE
POP ROCKS GOING.
>> YEAH.
>> THAT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.
>> OH, THERE GOES A BURP.
MIKEY'S BURPING.
ALL THAT COKE AND POP ROCKS AT
ONCE.
>> THAT'S HUGE.
THAT'S LIKE THREE TIMES THE SIZE
OF WHAT IT WAS.
>> MY GUESS IS, MIKEY'S FEELING
A LITTLE ILL RIGHT ABOUT NOW.
>> I KNOW I WOULD BE.
>> Narrator: MIKEY MIGHT HAVE
BEEN FEELING ILL, BUT UNLIKE THE
MYTH, HE WASN'T FEELING DEAD.
POP ROCKS AND SODA JUST DIDN'T
PRODUCE ENOUGH CO2 GAS TO BURST
A STOMACH.
>> I STILL HEAR IT.
>> YOU CAN STILL HEAR IT
CRACKLING.
>> POP ROCKS ARE GOING.
>> Narrator: SO, IF POP ROCKS
WOULDN'T DO IT, WHAT WOULD MAKE
A PIG'S STOMACH EXPLODE?
>> AWFUL LOT OF SODIUM BICARB.
>> Narrator: MAYBE BAKING SODA.
THAT WOULD REACT WITH THE ACID
TO GIVE OFF PLENTY OF
GUT-WRENCHING GAS.
>> INJECTING ACID.
>> OH, I FEEL THE PRESSURE.
OKAY.
>> OH!
WOW!
>> THAT DID CAUSE A REACTION.
>> THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A
LITTLE TOO MUCH.
THAT'S WHAT WE CALL A HELL OF A
SATURDAY NIGHT.
OH, MY GOSH.
I CAN'T IMAGINE A HUMAN
CONSUMING THAT MUCH CRAP.
>> Narrator: SO, IF YOU TRY
REALLY HARD, YOU CAN PRODUCE
ENOUGH GAS TO BLOW UP A STOMACH,
BUT THE POP ROCKS MYTH --
BUSTED.
>> [ BELCHES ]
>> ADAM, IT'S BEEN 5 HOURS AND
40 MINUTES OUT HERE.
THE SNOWMEN HAVE BEEN MERRILY
MELTING AWAY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> WELL, ON THE SURFACE OF IT,
WITHOUT UNDRESSING YOUR SNOWMAN,
I THINK THAT THE MYTH IS
COMPLETELY CONFIRMED.
A DRESSED SNOWMAN IS MELTING A
LOT SLOWER THAN A NAKED SNOWMAN.
>> IT'S LIKE KEEPING IT IN A
COOLER.
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
LOOK AT THAT.
BARELY MELTED AT ALL.
>> YOU CAN SEE IT MELTED A LOT
MORE WHERE THERE WASN'T A COAT.
>> WOW!
>> SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
>> WELL, NOW, OF COURSE, WE GET
TO CHECK OUT OUR VIEWERS' NEXT
FAVORITE MYTH.
>> Narrator: IN THE MYTH YOU
VOTED SIXTH-FAVORITE, JAMIE AND
ADAM RE-CREATED LARRY WALTERS'
LAWN-CHAIR FLIGHT.
LIFTED BY WEATHER BALLOONS AND
ACCOMPANIED BY BEER, HE FLEW TO
16,000 FEET, DISRUPTING AIR
TRAFFIC OVER L.A.
>> I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
OH, WE'RE STARTING TO LIFT.
CAN WE GET SOME MORE SANDBAGS?
>> Narrator: CURIOUSLY, UNDER
THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY DECIDED
TO BUY THE CHEAPEST BALLOONS
THEY COULD FIND.
>> WE'VE LOST THREE BALLOONS SO
FAR.
IT'S PLAUSIBLE THAT THEY WERE
BALLOONS WITH FLAWS IN THEM OR
THAT IT'S PRESSURE AGAINST THE
ROPES OR SOME OF THE OTHER
BALLOONS.
>> I THINK WE'VE USED UP ALL THE
HELIUM IN THE BAY AREA, SO WE
KIND OF NEED TO MAKE THIS WORK.
OKAY. UPSY-DAISY.
WE DON'T NEED VERY MUCH.
GO AHEAD.
OKAY.
OKAY.
NOW CONTROL IT.
ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOOD.
>> WE'RE GOOD!
YEAH!
OW!
>> OKAY, LAST CHECK BEFORE WE
LET YOU GO, ADAM.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> IT'S BEEN NICE KNOWING YOU.
>> I LOVE YOU ALL.
>> THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP ON
THE JOB.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
OH, THIS IS GOOD.
>> ADAM, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE
NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET YOU
UP TO 100 FEET WITH THE LINES
ATTACHED.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO LET YOU GO.
YOU'LL PROBABLY END UP GETTING
CAUGHT IN THE BERKELEY HILLS OR
SOMETHING.
UNLESS THERE'S TRAFFIC ON THE
BAY BRIDGE, WE'LL PROBABLY BE
THERE AHEAD OF YOU, OKAY?
>> I'D RATHER JUST STAY UNDER
100 FEET, THANK YOU.
OVER.
[ BEEPING ]
[ LAUGHS ]
THIS IS GREAT!
>> Narrator: THE FLIGHT WAS A
SUCCESS.
NOW FOR THE LANDING.
ACCORDING TO THE MYTH, TO COME
DOWN FROM 16,000 FEET, LARRY
USED A PELLET GUN TO SHOOT THE
BALLOONS.
>> I'D TAKE THE ONE OUT THAT'S
RIGHT NEAR YOU.
JUST GRAZE THE EDGE OF IT.
GRAZE IT AND TRY AND CUT IT.
GOOD JOB!
>> YEAH!
>> DOWN HE COMES.
>> DOWN WE GO!
AH!
AH.
WHOA!
>> CREW, ON OVER WE GO.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
>> AW, THAT WAS GREAT!
IT WENT 100% SUCCESSFUL, I WOULD
SAY.
>> Narrator: MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED.
LARRY WALTERS REALLY DID MAKE
THAT FLIGHT.
TWO AIRLINE PILOTS SAW HIM.
THE FAA FINED HIM 1,500 BUCKS
FOR HIS TROUBLE.
>> I WOULD ONLY DO IT AGAIN IF
IT WAS SANCTIONED BY THE FAA AND
IF IT HAD FAA APPROVAL.
SO IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE I'D BE
DOING IT AGAIN.
>> GOOD JOB.
>> GIVE ME A HUG.
THAT WAS EXCELLENT.
>> Narrator: THIS MYTH WAS
CONFIRMED.
>> YEAH, YOU GUYS WERE AWESOME!
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, IT'S BEEN
24 HOURS OUR CHAMPAGNE HAS BEEN
SITTING IN THE FRIDGE.
>> LET'S PULL IT OUT AND SEE
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
[ CORK POPS ]
>> Narrator: THE GUYS DO A BLIND
TASTE TEST TO INDIVIDUALLY RATE
THE FIZZINESS OF EACH BOTTLE.
[ SLURPING ]
>> [ GARGLES ]
SHALL WE SEE HOW WE DID?
>> Narrator: MAYBE IT'S THE
HOLIDAY SPIRIT, BUT FOR ONCE,
THEY AGREE, BOTH RANKING THE
GLASSES IN EXACTLY THE SAME
ORDER.
>> J-3, J-4.
>> OKAY, NOW FOR THE REAL TEST.
LET'S PEEL THE STICKERS OFF AND
SEE WHAT WE GOT.
>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S START FROM
LEAST BUBBLIEST.
AH HA HA HA HA.
SILVER SPOON WAS THE LEAST
BUBBLIEST.
OPEN BOTTLE.
>> YEP.
AND THAT ONE WOULD BE THE
CORKED.
>> WHOA!
FOR SOME REASON, WE THOUGHT THE
CONTROL BOTTLE WAS NOT AS
FIZZY...
AS THE RECORKED BOTTLE.
I THINK PRETTY HANDILY WE STRUCK
DOWN THE SILVER SPOON AS A
PRESERVATIVE FOR BUBBLINESS.
>> WELL THAT'S ANOTHER CHRISTMAS
MYTH UP THE CHIMNEY.
>> AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER
MYTH THAT YOU VOTED FOR AS ONE
OF YOUR FAVORITES.
>> Narrator: IN "BARREL OF
BRICKS," BUSTER WOULD BE THROWN
UP AND DOWN A SCAFFOLD 30 FEET
HIGH AND THEN, WITH LUCK, HAVE
500 POUNDS OF BRICKS FALL ON
HIM.
IT WAS TO TEST AN OLD
INSURANCE-CLAIM MYTH, BUT
PRESENTED JAMIE AND ADAM WITH A
TOUGH CHALLENGE.
>> HERE'S PERHAPS THE CRITICAL
QUESTION -- WHEN THE BARREL
SUPPOSEDLY FALLS, IT BREAKS AND
LETS GO OF ITS BRICKS.
DO YOU THINK THESE BARRELS WILL
DO THAT?
>> PERSONALLY, I DOUBT IT.
>> I THINK THEY'LL FALL OUT ON
THE FIRST TRY.
I THINK IT WILL SHATTER.
YOU WANT TO BET?
>> OH, NO.
HERE WE GO AGAIN.
>> I GOT A DOLLAR.
HERE WE GO.
YOU WANT TO DROP SOME BRICKS?
>> YEAH.
>> OKAY, LET'S GO.
OUR MAIN PIPE IS BENDING A
LITTLE BIT.
>> Narrator: LOADED WITH BRICKS,
THE BARREL WAS STRESSING THE
RIG.
BUT WOULD THE BARREL SMASH ON
IMPACT?
>> THREE, TWO, ONE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
THE BARREL DIDN'T FAIL!
ALL RIGHT, I OWE YOU A DOLLAR.
HERE YOU GO.
NO, THAT'S A FIVE.
>> I'LL TAKE THAT.
>> Narrator: THIS MYTH AND THE
BARREL WERE GOING TO BE HARD TO
CRACK.
>> THINK WE SHOULD TRY IT AGAIN
WITH THIS BARREL?
I'M NOT SURE IT WILL HOLD
500 POUNDS.
>> Narrator: JAMIE'S GUT TOLD
HIM THE BARREL WAS STILL TOO
STRONG, SO HE REMOVED SOME OF
THE REINFORCING BANDS.
>> HE'S NOT CONVINCED THAT, EVEN
IF THE BOTTOM FALLS OUT, THAT
THE BRICKS WOULD COME OUT
BECAUSE THE BARREL HAS GOT A
SHAPE LIKE THIS, AND THE BRICKS
WOULD WEDGE IN.
I THINK HE'S TOTALLY WRONG.
>> Narrator: ADAM WAS EITHER
GOING TO BE RIGHT OR RED-FACED.
>> THREE, TWO, ONE.
OH!
[ LAUGHTER ]
THAT DAMN BARREL!
IT DIDN'T DO SQUAT!
WHAT IS THIS?
THIS BARREL IS TOO DAMN STRONG.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
>> I WAS RIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
YOU WERE RIGHT.
>> Narrator: BUT ENOUGH WITH THE
PUSSYFOOTING AROUND.
ADAM STRIPPED OFF MORE RINGS AND
PUT A BOARD IN THE DROP ZONE.
>> I'VE BEEN WRONG EVERY OTHER
TIME, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE
HELL'S GONNA HAPPEN.
>> YOU GOT THAT KNIFE BLADE OF A
BOARD DOWN THERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S GOING
TO DO.
>> YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S
GONNA DO?
>> [ LAUGHS ]
IT'S GONNA WRECK THE BARREL FOR
US.
IN FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO...
[ LAUGHTER ]
HEY!
IT WORKED PERFECTLY!
>> Narrator: ADAM SEEMED
PLEASED.
THEY HAD FINALLY BROKEN THE
BARREL AND SHOWN THE MYTH WAS,
THEORETICALLY AT LEAST,
POSSIBLE.
A FACT WORTH CELEBRATING WITH AN
ENCORE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> LOOK AT THAT POSE.
>> WE BROKE A CRASH-TEST DUMMY,
MAN!
YEAH!
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> SO, ADAM, WHAT'S OUR NEXT
CHRISTMAS MYTH?
>> THIS NEXT MYTH IS BASED ON
THE IDEA THAT IT COULD BE SO
COLD OUTSIDE THAT, IF YOU WENT
OUTSIDE AND HAD A WEE, YOUR
URINE WOULD FREEZE BEFORE IT
EVER HIT THE GROUND.
AND WE'VE BUILT THIS LITTLE
FREEZER WHERE IT'S...
ACTUALLY LIKE 70 BELOW ZERO.
>> IT'S RIGHT OFF THE SCALE.
>> YEAH.
>> WELL, THE COLDEST EVER
RECORDED IN THE CONTINENTAL
UNITED STATES WAS IN MONTANA IN
1954, AND IT WAS 69.7 DEGREES
BELOW ZERO.
>> WELL, THAT MEANS OUR FREEZER
HERE IS RIGHT ON TARGET.
AND I HAVE GOT MY FAKE-PEEING
RIG HERE.
I DON'T THINK I CAN HOLD ON
ANYMORE.
YOU READY TO TRY?
>> YEAH.
>> OKAY.
TAKE THE HEMO OFF THERE.
LET'S SEE.
IT'S NOT FREEZING.
WE KNOW FROM THE THERMOMETER
THAT, RIGHT ABOUT HERE, IT'S AT
70 BELOW ZERO.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE
TO MAKE YOUR URINE FREEZE, BUT
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE
UNITED STATES.
THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS
FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
I'D AGREE WITH YOU.
>> AND NOW IT'S TIME TO, I
GUESS, TAKE A LOOK AT THE
VIEWERS' FOURTH-FAVORITE MYTH.
>> Narrator: THIS WAS A MYTH
TOM SHAW WISHED HE HAD KNEW
ABOUT BEFORE HE AGREED TO SELL
JAMIE AND ADAM HIS BELOVED
'87 CORVETTE.
>> YOU WANT TO TELL HIM?
>> WE HAVE, WAITING EAGERLY FOR
THIS CAR, A RECENTLY DEAD PIG
THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN THERE
AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT MAYBE A
MONTH OR TWO, AND I WONDERED
WHAT YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT.
>> WELL, NOT REAL HAPPY, TO TELL
YOU THE TRUTH, I MEAN, 'CAUSE
IT'S A REALLY NICE CAR.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ALL THE
OTHER CORVETTE OWNERS ACROSS
AMERICA ARE GONNA BE THINKING
ABOUT THIS WHEN THEY SEE IT ON
AIR?
>> WHEN YOU PUT A DEAD PIG IN
HERE?
>> UH-HUH.
>> THEY'RE GONNA THINK YOU'RE
NUTS.
>> Narrator: PIGS IN A FANCY
CAR -- THEY DIED OF NATURAL
CAUSES, AND WE'RE HELPING TEST
THE MYTH OF THE STINKY CAR, THE
ONE WHERE AN EXPENSIVE CAR JUST
WOULDN'T SELL AT A BARGAIN PRICE
BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DIED
IN IT, AND EVERY BUYER WAS PUT
OFF BY THE SMELL.
>> THAT PIG'S GONNA BE ONE BIG
BAG OF MAGGOTS.
AND AT SOME POINT, I WOULDN'T BE
SURPRISED IF IT DOESN'T KIND OF,
LIKE, START TO INFLATE AND THEN
EXPLODE, SPEWING STUFF
EVERYWHERE IN THE CAR.
>> Narrator: AS BAD AS THIS WAS,
THEY KNEW AS THEY PUSHED THE CAR
INTO A SHIPPING CONTAINER, IT
WOULD BE SO, SO MUCH WORSE IN
TWO MONTHS' TIME.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT?
IT REALLY WAS.
BREAKING THAT SEAL UNLEASHED ALL
MANNER OF GAG-INDUCING,
THROAT-CONSTRICTING EVIL.
>> OH, MAN!
>> THAT'S FOUL.
>> IT'S RAINING IN THERE.
ANYPLACE THAT I MOVE AROUND, I'M
GONNA GET COVERED.
>> THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BITE.
CLIMB IN.
>> Narrator: CONTRACT CLEANER
NEIL SMITHER WAS ALONG AS A
CONSULTANT.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> OH, MY GOD!
THAT IS HORRIBLE!
>> Narrator: THE DECAYING PIGS
HAD GIVEN OFF NOXIOUS AMMONIA
GAS.
>> OH, MAN!
OH, THAT -- WHOO!
OH, MAN.
OH, MAN.
>> IT'S THE AMMONIA.
THE FILTER'S NOT HANDLING IT.
>> Narrator: AND SO THE WORST
CLEANING JOB IN THE WORLD
BEGAN.
>> OH, IT'S DISINTEGRATING.
[ INDISTINCT TALKING ]
>> I WON'T BE SAD WHEN THIS DAY
IS OVER.
OH, MAN!
AH.
OH, GOD.
THIS IS HORRIFYING.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> Narrator: BUT AFTER A DAYS'
IMMERSION IN PIG REMAINS, JAMIE
AND ADAM STILL HAD A STINKY CAR
ON THEIR HANDS...
JUST LESS OF IT.
>> WE HAVE MUST HAVE REMOVED
ABOUT 300, 400 POUNDS OF WET
SOMETHING.
DON'T WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN.
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR SOMEBODY TO
DIE IN A CAR AND RUIN IT.
>> Narrator: THE PLACE WHERE I
THINK YOU WOULD NEVER GET IT OUT
IS ALL THE AIR-CONDITIONING
SYSTEM AND THE DUCTS AND STUFF.
I KNOW ALL THAT STINKS.
WE CAN CLEAN THE CAR PERFECTLY,
AND BE LIKE, "IT'S DONE!"
THEN WE'D TURN ON THE A.C. AND
BE LIKE, "OH!" YOU KNOW?
>> Narrator: SO THEY SHOWED A
DEAD BODY CAN PERMANENTLY STINK
UP A CAR.
BUT COULD THEY SELL IT ANYWAY?
>> I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW
MUCH MONEY CAN WE GET FOR A BIG
PIECE OF STINKING JUNK.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
NOT VERY MUCH.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GUTTED.
>> YEAH, WELL...
>> IS THAT HOW YOU BOUGHT IT?
>> NO, IT --
[ CHUCKLES ]
DON'T LIKE THAT.
>> THIS IS A REAL STINKER.
>> SO, DOES IT EVEN START?
>> UM...
>> SO, IS THERE AN INTERIOR FOR
IT?
>> Narrator: IT STUNK, IT DIDN'T
RUN, BUT THERE'S A BUYER FOR
EVERYTHING OUT THERE.
AND SURE ENOUGH, THEY HAD A
SALE.
$2,000.
>> WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WITH
THE CAR?
>> WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO PART
IT OUT.
I'M INTERESTED IN THE ENGINE AND
TRANSMISSION.
>> HORRIFYING.
>> OH!
>> AH!
AH!
>> THAT WAS SOMETHING ELSE.
I'LL REMEMBER THAT THE REST OF
MY LIFE.
>> JAMIE, ARE THERE NO END TO
THESE CRAZY CHRISTMAS MYTHS?
WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE NEXT?
>> WELL, WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE
FREAK OCCURRENCES, AND THAT IS,
WHAT IF AN ICICLE FELL OFF THE
EVE OF YOUR HOUSE, AND THIS
ICICLE FALLS DOWN AND PIERCES
YOU IN THE HEART?
WOULD IT STAB YOU AND KILL YOU?
>> I'M A LITTLE DUBIOUS ABOUT
THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY, I GUESS THE
FIRST PLACE TO START WOULD BE
TO BE MAKING SOME MIGHTY BIG
ICICLES.
>> FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION THAT
BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO HAVE SOME
MIGHTY BIG ICICLES READY TO GO
RIGHT HERE.
>> LOVELY.
>> Narrator: THE "MYTHBUSTERS"
STAIRWELL WILL BE THE SCENE OF
THIS UNLIKELY HOLIDAY
CATASTROPHE.
15 FEET OF TUBE WILL GUIDE THE
KILLER ICICLE, AND A NICE PIECE
OF BEEF WILL PLAY VICTIM.
>> READY, JAMIE?
>> READY.
>> ON MY COUNT.
>> OKAY.
>> FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE.
WHOA HO HO HO HO HO!
[ LAUGHTER ]
DUDE!
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> THAT IS REALLY GNARLY.
THAT WAS A PERFECT DEAD-CENTER
LANDING.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
THAT LOOKS KIND OF DEADLY,
DOESN'T IT?
>> IF YOU TAKE AWAY ALL THE
OTHER STUFF, LIKE IT'S PROBABLY
NOT GONNA FALL CORRECTLY AND
ALL THAT STUFF, A REASONABLY
SIZED ICICLE COULD BE DEADLY.
>> IT WORKED FIRST TIME LIKE A
CHARM.
>> AND THAT GIVES EVERYONE MORE
TIME TO WATCH MY FAVORITE MYTH.
>> WHICH IS WHAT?
>> THE ALCATRAZ ESCAPE.
>> OH, YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF MY
FAVORITES, TOO.
>> Narrator: IN ADAM'S FAVORITE
AND YOUR NUMBER THREE, THE
MYTHBUSTERS RETRACE THE STEPS OF
ALCATRAZ ESCAPEES FRANK MORRIS
AND THE ANGLIN BROTHERS.
FROM THE VERY CELLS THEY DUG
THEMSELVES OUT OF...
>> YOU KNOW, JAMIE, NOTE TO
MYSELF.
IF I'M EVER DESIGNING A PRISON,
I DON'T THINK I WOULD EVER
DESIGN IT WITH A HUGE SECRET
UNMONITORED WALKWAY BEHIND EVERY
CELL.
>> Narrator: ...UP INTO THE
CELLBLOCK CEILINGS, WHERE, FOR
MONTHS, THEY BUILT A RAFT FROM
STOLEN RAINCOATS.
>> YOU WHISPER, AND EVERYBODY
CAN HEAR IT.
YOU CAN'T DROP A SINGLE BOLT OR
NAIL.
YOU CAN'T KICK A PIECE OF WOOD
WITHOUT EVERYBODY ON THE
CELLBLOCKS HEARING YOU DO IT.
IMAGINE THAT, EVERY NIGHT FOR
MONTHS IN PITCH-BLACK.
>> Narrator: FINALLY, ACROSS THE
ROOFTOP AND DOWN TO THE WATER'S
EDGE.
>> THEY WENT DOWN ABOUT HERE.
THE ORIGINAL PIPE'S BEEN
REMOVED.
BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THEY WENT
ACROSS UNDERNEATH THE WATER
TOWER, AND DOWN TO THE SHORE ON
THE SIDE OF THE POWERHOUSE OVER
THERE.
THAT'S A LOT OF DISTANCE TO
COVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
NIGHT WITH ALL THAT EQUIPMENT,
I'LL TELL YOU THAT.
>> Narrator: OFFICIALLY, THE
ESCAPEES DROWNED AND DISAPPEARED
WHILE FIGHTING THE CURRENT NORTH
TO ANGEL ISLAND.
THE MYTHBUSTERS HAD ANOTHER
THEORY -- THEY WOULD USE THE
CURRENT TO CARRY THEM TO THE
MARIN HEADLANDS.
BASED ON THE FBI FILES, THEY
BUILT PADDLES AND A RAINCOAT
RAFT...
>> THAT'S A BOAT.
I'M REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THESE
PRISON GUYS.
>> Narrator: ...AS CLOSE AS THEY
COULD MAKE IT TO THE REAL THING.
>> IT'S GOING TO WRINKLE.
>> YEAH.
>> Narrator: AND THEN THE
ULTIMATE TEST.
>> I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THE
CONVICTS WERE SAYING WHEN THIS
WAS OCCURRING, BUT I'M PRETTY
SURE THEY WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT
HOW NICE THE VIEW WAS.
>> Narrator: ON A COLD NIGHT,
WITH THE CURRENT RUNNING JUST
THE SAME AS MORRIS AND THE
ANGLINS FACED, THEY SET OFF TO
PADDLE ACROSS THE BAY.
>> AW, JAMIE.
YOU'RE THE MAN, BABY!
>> Narrator: INTERN WILL ABBOTT
PLAYING FRANK MORRIS.
>> I GOT ONE PADDLE.
>> OKAY, WE'RE OFF.
>> WE'RE ESCAPING!
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> WHOO!
>> Narrator: EVERY 10 MINUTES,
THEY HAD TO RE-INFLATE THE RAFT.
AND THE TIDAL RIP WAS GETTING
ROUGHER.
>> WHOA!
THIS IS SO COOL!
>> WE'VE COME QUITE A WAYS,
HAVEN'T WE?
>> WE HAVE.
>> Narrator: IT SEEMED
IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THE MYTHBUSTERS
MADE IT...
PADDLING A RAINCOAT RAFT MORE
THAN THREE MILES ACROSS A
RUSHING TIDE, MAKING LANDFALL
JUST EAST OF THE
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
WE MADE IT!
BEAUTIFUL, MAN!
>> GOOD JOB, GUYS.
>> YEAH. GOOD JOB.
GOOD JOB, JAMIE.
>> OH!
>> UNLESS THEY FIND ANY SPECIFIC
EVIDENCE THAT THESE GUYS, YOU
KNOW, LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER
OR SOMETHING AFTER THEY GOT
ASHORE, WE WON'T KNOW WHETHER IT
WAS TRUE OR NOT.
BUT WE KNOW THAT IT COULD HAVE
BEEN DONE, WHICH IS COOL.
>> JAMIE, WHAT HOLIDAY MYTH
COULD INVOLVE A TURKEY AND YOUR
FIRE SUIT AT THE SAME TIME?
>> WELL, THERE'S A POPULAR
HOLIDAY TRADITION IN THE SOUTH
THAT INVOLVES DEEP-FRYING
TURKEYS.
AND APPARENTLY IF YOU DROP THE
TURKEY IN TOO FAST, IT WILL
EXPLODE.
>> OH, EXPLOSIONS!
TURKEY MASTER, I HAND YOU YOUR
BIRD.
>> Narrator: ACCORDING TO THE
MYTH, THE PROBLEMS HAPPEN WHEN
THE TURKEY IS STILL FROZEN.
SO AS A COMPARISON, THEY'LL
START WITH A THAWED ONE.
>> THREE, TWO, ONE.
>> Narrator: NO EXPLODING
TURKEY.
NOW, HOW ABOUT A FROZEN ONE?
>> THREE, TWO, ONE!
YEAH!
OKAY, THAT WOULD BE BAD, BOILING
OIL ALL OVER YOUR KITCHEN AND
STUFF LIKE THAT.
IT STILL WASN'T AN EXPLOSION,
THOUGH.
IT WAS DANGEROUS, TO BE SURE.
BUT LIKE I SAID, WE KNOW
EXPLOSIONS, AND THAT WAS NO
EXPLOSION.
I GUESS NOW WE GET TO WATCH YOUR
FAVORITE MYTH.
>> THAT WOULD BE THE ROCKET CAR.
>> THAT'S SUCH A GOOD DAY.
>> Narrator: JAMIE'S FAVORITE,
YOUR SECOND FAVORITE -- THE GUY
WHO STRAPPED ROCKETS TO HIS CAR
AND FLEW INTO A MOUNTAIN.
>> THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'RE
GONNA DO.
>> Narrator: TO REPLICATE THIS
ONE, THE MYTHBUSTERS NEEDED A
ROCKET AND A CAR.
THE MYTH SAID A CHEVY IMPALA.
FIRST, THE EASY PART.
>> NOT AN IMPALA.
WE GOT A PONTIAC.
>> IT RUNS? THE PONTIAC RUNS?
>> NOT AT THE MOMENT.
>> WE GOT A T-BIRD.
>> THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.
WE DON'T HAVE TO DESTROY IT.
>> IT'S GOT A BUM MOTOR IN IT.
WHAT DO YOU -- YOU'LL PUT
ROCKETS ON IT.
IT'LL GO.
>> WE'VE GOT THE PERFECT CAR.
>> Narrator: NOT SO EASY, AFTER
ALL.
>> IT'S OFFICIALLY AN IMPALA.
>> WOULD IT BE ALL RIGHT IF I
DRIVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK?
>> OH, YEAH.
>> Narrator: BUT FINALLY THEY
FOUND THEIR RIDE.
AND IT WAS CUSTOMIZED.
>> I THINK THE HYDRAULIC ASPECT
OF IT IS JUST HYSTERICAL.
>> THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT OUR
CAR.
IT'S DESTINY.
>> Narrator: NOW THE ROCKETS.
THE AIR FORCE USES JATOs, OR
JET-ASSIST TAKEOFFS, TO GIVE
AIRCRAFT AN EXTRA BOOST
ON SHORT RUNWAYS OR WHEN
CARRYING HEAVY LOADS.
BUT WOULD THE MILITARY GIVE THE
MYTHBUSTERS ONE TO PLAY WITH?
DO COWS FLY?
>> PERMISSION DENIED.
>> YEAH.
DID THEY CALL US BACK AGAIN JUST
TO DENY PERMISSION AGAIN WITHOUT
BEING ASKED?
>> TWICE.
>> SO WE GOT THESE THINGS.
THESE ARE THE HOBBY ROCKETS.
HOW ARE WE GONNA FIRE THESE OFF?
>> WELL, THESE ARE ACTUALLY MORE
POWERFUL THAN THE JATOs.
>> BUT THEY'RE SMALLER.
HOW'S THAT POSSIBLE?
>> WELL, WE'RE GONNA USE MORE OF
THEM.
WHILE THEY'RE RUNNING, THEY PUT
OUT 1,500 POUNDS OF THRUST, AS
OPPOSED TO 1,000 POUNDS.
BUT THEY ONLY LAST FOR FOUR
SECONDS.
GONNA GET SEVERAL OF THEM, AND
WE'LL SET THEM OFF SUCCESSIVELY.
>> Narrator: SO THE PLAN WAS TO
MOUNT THREE HOBBY ROCKETS ON THE
IMPALA'S ROOF.
THE WHOLE THING WAS STRENGTHENED
TO TAKE THE STRESS.
AND JAMIE CONVERTED THE CAR TO
REMOTE CONTROL TO AVOID MESSY
EXPLANATIONS TO NEXT OF KIN,
SHOULD THINGS NOT TURN OUT
RIGHT.
>> WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
YOU COULD JUST KILL YOURSELF
WHEN YOU WERE DONE, 'CAUSE IT
AIN'T GONNA GET ANY BETTER THAN
THAT.
>> IT'S ALL GOING DOWNHILL FROM
THERE.
>> Narrator: THE ONLY SAFE PLACE
TO TRY THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF
NOWHERE -- IN THIS CASE, A DRY
LAKE BED.
>> WHEN THE MOTORS GO, THEY'RE
GONNA HAVE A TENDENCY TO SCARE
YOU.
SO, WHEN YOU'RE HEARING THE
"THREE, TWO, ONE," BRACE
YOURSELF.
DON'T VEER.
>> SOUND LIKE A JET ENGINE.
IT'S GONNA GET A 15-FOOT FLAME
OUT THE BACK.
>> THIS IS SO EXCITING.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO HAVE A
GRINECTOMY.
[ CHUCKLES ]
>> Narrator: JAMIE WOULD CONTROL
THINGS FROM A CHOPPER.
HE WOULD GET THE CAR UP TO 80
BEFORE THE ROCKETS WERE FIRED.
>> WE HAVE A GREEN LIGHT TO GO.
THEY'RE STARTING THEIR CIRCLE
NOW.
BRAKES ARE COMING OFF.
WE ARE A GO.
>> WE'RE IN LINE?
OKAY, COMING OUT OF FULL
THROTTLE.
>> GO AHEAD AND SET THEM OFF.
>> OKAY, HELICOPTER'S AT SPEED.
FIRING IN THREE, TWO, ONE.
FIRE.
THREE, TWO, ONE, FIRING.
THREE, TWO, ONE, FIRING.
YOU GOT THEM ALL.
>> Narrator: LIFTOFF -- THREE
ROCKETS FIRED SEQUENTIALLY.
3,000 HORSEPOWER FOR 12 SECONDS.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
>> HEY!
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> AH!
THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!
WE LOST TRACK OF IT.
>> THE HELICOPTER WAS HAVING
TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH IT.
ONCE THOSE SUCKER'S LIT, IT JUST
LIKE -- VYAH!
>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, ADAM.
>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, JAMIE.
>> WELL, WHAT'S OUR NEXT
CHRISTMAS MYTH?
>> THE NEXT MYTH IS THAT
LIGHTING A FIRE IN YOUR HOUSE
WILL ACTUALLY MAKE YOUR HOUSE
COLDER.
BECAUSE, WHILE IT HEATS UP THE
AREA AROUND THE FIRE, IT'S
DRAWING HEAT UP THE CHIMNEY AND
MAKING THE OUTLYING ROOMS
COLDER.
>> WELL, WE JUST STARTED A FIRE,
AND WE'VE GOT THERMOMETERS
STAGED AROUND THE HOUSE.
SO WHILE WE ARE WAITING, LET'S
HAVE A LOOK AT THE NEXT FAVORITE
MYTH THAT VIEWERS VOTED FOR.
>> Narrator: YOU VOTED "TREE
CANNON" YOUR FAVORITE MYTH.
MEDIEVAL HUNGARIAN VILLAGERS
BUILT A CANNON FROM A LOG, ONLY
IT EXPLODED AND WIPED THEM OUT.
>> NOW, THERE'S SOME MEDIEVAL
WORKMANSHIP.
>> Narrator: FOR THE SAKE OF
AUTHENTICITY, THEY TRIED TO MAKE
THE CANNON USING TRADITIONAL
TECHNIQUES.
>> THAT'S THE TICKET.
>> Narrator: THEY THOUGHT ABOUT
DRILLING THE BARREL WITH AN
OLD-FASHIONED SPOON DRILL.
>> BASED ON WHAT I'M SEEING HERE
NOW, I'M THINKING IT WOULD
PROBABLY TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS
TO GET THROUGH IT.
>> I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT
THE PAKISH WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IF
THEY HAD HAD A CHAIN SAW.
>> YEAH!
>> Narrator: JAMIE, THOUGH,
WANTED TO KEEP SOMETHING
AUTHENTIC AND HANDCRAFTED A
NEAR-PERFECT GRANITE CANNONBALL.
>> IT'S SO FAR BEYOND ANYBODY'S
EXPERIENCE THAT WE'RE ALL, LIKE,
KIND OF BLOWN AWAY.
AND DON'T THINK HE DIDN'T KNOW
IT.
UNH!
[ LAUGHS ]
WHOO!
THAT IS A TREE CANNON.
>> Narrator: PYROTECHNICIAN
JACK MOROCCO CAME UP WITH A
MODERN VERSION OF MEDIEVAL
GUNPOWDER.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> NICELY DONE!
>> I THINK THAT'S VERY
RESPECTABLE.
>> Narrator: AND SO, ARMED AND
DANGEROUS, THEY FOUND THEMSELVES
AT AN ABANDONED NAVAL BASE.
>> TENNIS BALL.
>> OKAY.
>> Narrator: THE FIRST
ATTEMPT -- A TEST RUN WITH A
TENNIS BALL.
>> FIRE IN THE HOLE!
>> IN THREE, TWO, ONE.
>> HOT SET!
>> OH.
>> WOW, IT'S STILL GOING.
IS THAT A FLAMING TENNIS BALL?
I DON'T THINK SO.
>> Narrator: NEXT UP, THE REAL
DEAL -- JAMIE'S HANDMADE GRANITE
CANNONBALL.
WOULD IT SHOOT, OR WOULD THE
CANNON EXPLODE?
>> ARE WE READY, JACK?
>> FIRE IN THE HOLE.
>> I DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHERE
THAT WENT.
>> I DIDN'T SEE A DARNED THING.
DID YOU SEE ANYTHING?
>> A LITTLE BUMMED OUT NOT TO
FIND THE BALL, YOU KNOW.
I PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THAT
THING.
>> Narrator: JAMIE WAS
APPARENTLY SO UPSET AT LOSING
HIS CANNONBALL, HE FELT OBLIGED
TO SABOTAGE THE NEXT TEST.
>> YOU HAVE ONE OTHER THING YOU
WANT TO ADD TO THIS, JAMIE?
>> I WANT TO SEE THIS THING BLOW
UP.
YOU KNOW, IT'S, UH...
KEEPS WORKING.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
SO I'M GONNA JAM A CAN OF SODA
DOWN THIS.
>> OH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...
>> OH. THAT'S NOT GOOD.
>> OH.
IT SQUIRTED OUT OF THE HOLE.
>> WHOOPS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ GRUNTS ]
>> [ LAUGHS ]
OH, THERE'S A LOT OF SODA.
OH!
YEAH, IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN
CONTAMINATED BY THE POWDER.
>> Narrator: NEVER ONES TO DWELL
ON A MINOR SETBACK, THE
MYTHBUSTERS CALLED IN MORE
GUNPOWDER.
>> WE PUT SIX OUNCES OF POWDER
IN LAST TIME.
WHAT ARE WE GONNA PUT IN THIS
TIME?
>> FIVE POUNDS.
>> WHOA.
>> Narrator: AND JUST IN CASE
THAT WASN'T DANGEROUS ENOUGH,
THE FINAL NAIL IN THIS CANNON'S
COFFIN...
>> IF THIS DOESN'T BLOW UP THIS
CANNON, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL.
>> THIS IS BASICALLY GONNA BE A
BOMB, AND THERE'S GONNA BE
SPLINTERS GOING EVERYWHERE.
>> Narrator: SO, WHAT DOES
HAPPEN WHEN YOU SEAL UP A TREE
CANNON WITH FIVE POUNDS OF
GUNPOWDER INSIDE?
MYTH UNDENIABLY PROVED -- A TREE
CANNON CAN EXPLODE.
>> IS EVERYBODY ALL RIGHT?
I THINK THE HEAVIEST PARTS GO
FARTHER THAN THE FENCE.
>> CANNON WENT AWAY.
THERE'S A LITTLE BLACK ON THE
GROUND AROUND WHERE THE CANNON
WAS, AND THAT'S ALL THAT'S LEFT.
>> MY GOD!
HEY, IT WENT DOWN!
JAMIE, THE THERMOMETER IN THE
OTHER ROOM WENT DOWN BY ALMOST
THREE DEGREES.
>> COOL.
WELL, THE AIR HAS GOT TO COME
FROM SOMEWHERE.
>> YEAH.
SO, I MEAN, LET'S CHECK OUT THE
KITCHEN.
THE KITCHEN'S NOT MUCH CHANGED,
BUT IT'S PRETTY ACTUALLY OPEN TO
THE LIVING ROOM.
BUT IN THE OUTLYING AREAS, IT
ACTUALLY WENT DOWN BY THREE
DEGREES.
WELL, I WAS ACTUALLY AFRAID
THAT, IN CALIFORNIA, IT'S TOO
WARM.
OUTSIDE, IT'S ONLY 55 DEGREES.
I WAS AFRAID WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE
TO ACTUALLY PROVE IT HERE.
WE'D HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE WHERE
IT'S SNOWING.
BUT THIS MYTH IS CONFIRMED.
>> YEAH.
WELL, THAT WAS COOL.
WELL, ADAM...
I'VE GOT A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR
YOU.
>> AW, JAMIE, THANK YOU.
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE, BUT I
ACTUALLY GOT YOU SOMETHING, TOO.
>> AW.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> WHY, THANK YOU.
>> OH, WOW!
A LASER BENCH-FOCUSING ARRAY.
HOW DID YOU KNOW?
>> IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS
THAT, WHEN I SAW IT, I KNEW YOU
WOULD WANT IT.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
THAT IS AWESOME.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
>> OH, MOUSTACHE TRIMMER.
ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME
SOMETHING?
>> YEAH.
JUST TAKE IT ALL OFF.
GO AHEAD.
>> I DON'T THINK THEY'D LET ME
DO THAT.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
THIS IS COOL.
OOH.