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>> Narrator: HO, HO, HO.
ON THIS EPISODE OF
"MYTHBUSTERS"...
>> I CAUGHT-A THESE MONKEYS
JUST-A THIS MORNING!
>> Narrator: ...'TIS THE SEASON
TO BUST HOLIDAY MYTHS...
>> IT'S ALIVE!
>> Narrator: ...AS JAMIE AND
ADAM OVERFLOW WITH GOODWILL...
[ LAUGHTER ]
...ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A MERRY
COKE-AND-MENTOS RUBE GOLDBERG
MACHINE.
>> ARISE, MY SON!
>> Narrator: AND KARI, GRANT,
AND TORY BREAK IT DOWN TO FIND
OUT HOW TO KEEP YOUR TREE
EVERGREEN.
>> I LIKE TO STYLE THE TREE, AND
I GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE
FULLNESS RIGHT AROUND, YOU KNOW,
HERE.
>> Narrator: COOK A FESTIVE
ROAST ON A RADAR.
>> THAT IS SO FUNNY-LOOKING.
>> SHOULD WE ALL BE WEARING OUR
LEAD APRONS?
>> Narrator: AND FIND OUT IF
FALLING FROZEN TURKEYS CAN BE
TERMINAL.
>> OHH! THAT IS MESSED UP!
>> Narrator: WHO ARE THE
MYTHBUSTERS?
ADAM SAVAGE...
>> OW, OW, OW, OW, OW.
>> Narrator: ...AND
JAMIE HYNEMAN.
>> ALMOST TOO EXCITING.
>> Narrator: BETWEEN THEM, MORE
THAN 30 YEARS OF SPECIAL-EFFECTS
EXPERIENCE.
>> CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC.
>> Narrator: JOINING THEM,
KARI BYRON...
>> THAT'S GONNA BE SO COOL!
>> Narrator: ...GRANT IMAHARA...
>> LISTEN TO THAT BABY PURR!
>> Narrator: ...AND
TORY BELLECI.
>> PARAMEDICS ARE NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND.
>> Narrator: THEY DON'T JUST
TELL THE MYTHS.
>> DUDE!
>> Narrator: THEY PUT THEM TO
THE TEST.
[ ROCK VERSION OF "JINGLE BELLS"
PLAYS ]
>> HO, HO, HO.
>> HO, HO YOURSELF.
>> IT'S CHRISTMAS, AND WE HAVE
TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
>> IT'S NOT REALLY MY BAG.
>> WHAT ARE YOU GONNA BE DOING
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING?
>> I'LL BE IN THE SHOP, LIKE
ALWAYS.
>> SEE, IF YOU'RE ALREADY GONNA
BE THERE, LET'S SHOOT A
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL.
>> OKAY.
>> EXCELLENT.
CHRISTMAS MYTHS, HERE WE COME.
[ BEEPS ]
>> Narrator: WHETHER YOU THINK
THE YULETIDE SEASON IS THE MOST
MAGICAL TIME OF THE YEAR OR A
BUNCH OF "BAH, HUMBUG," IT'S
FULL OF FABLES JAMIE AND ADAM
CAN'T WAIT TO UNWRAP FOR YOU.
>> WHAT DO YOU SAY WE DO
SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE FANS?
>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT
IDEA.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND?
>> I'M THINKING LIKE A
RUBE GOLDBERG CHRISTMAS
CONTRAPTION.
>> I LOVE THE IDEA, BUT WHERE'S
THE MYTH?
>> WE DON'T NEED A MYTH.
WE CAN JUST HAVE SOME FUN.
IT'S CHRISTMAS.
WE CAN MAKE THIS BIG MACHINE
THAT'S GOT MENTOS AND SODA GOING
OFF -- IT'S A CHRISTMAS THEME,
ALL SORTS OF MECHANICAL STUFF,
EXPLOSIONS.
YOU NAME IT, WE'LL THROW IT IN.
>> I LOVE IT.
LET'S DO IT.
[ BEEPS ]
>> Narrator: GREAT, BUT WHAT THE
HECK IS IT?
A RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE IS A
SERIES OF ELABORATE MECHANICAL
THINGS.
LIKE A DOMINO EFFECT, EACH
ACTIVATES THE NEXT TO A VERY
SIMPLE CONCLUSION, LIKE PEELING
A BANANA.
>> OOH!
>> Narrator: THE EepyBirds MADE
A VERSION RECENTLY USING THAT
GUSHY MARVEL OF DIET COKE AND
MENTOS, AND THEIR POPULAR
INTERNET CREATION IS ABOUT TO
GET A WHOLE NEW MYTHBUSTERS
MAKEOVER.
THE GUYS HAVE MADE RUBE GOLDBERG
MACHINES BEFORE FOR BIG-BUDGET
COMMERCIALS, AND THEY'VE LEARNED
THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF
ALL IS A PLAN.
>> SO, THE PLAN STARTS OFF LIKE
THIS.
YOU'VE GOT A MENTOS CANDY THAT'S
ROLLING DOWN A RAMP.
IT FALLS INTO A SODA BOTTLE.
THAT ERUPTS.
IT KNOCKS A PADDLE WHEEL,
WHICH...
>> Narrator: LET'S MOVE IT
ALONG.
WE DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE
SURPRISE.
>> THE FLOAT COMES UP AND TURNS
THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS ON.
AND THAT'S HOW IT'S ALL GONNA
WORK.
Narrator: PHEW!
NOW, TO ADD TO THE HOLIDAY
SEASON RUSH, MYTHBUSTERS'
DEADLINES ARE WAY TIGHTER THAN
HOLLYWOOD'S.
>> THE BIGGEST CONSTRAINT FOR
THIS IS TIME.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THIS THING
BASICALLY 100-FOOT-LONG DEVICE
WITH ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 50 OR 60
MOVING PARTS.
AND WE'VE ONLY GOT A COUPLE OF
DAYS TO GO IT.
Narrator: TO POWER THEIR
INVENTION, ADAM AND JAMIE ARE
USING THE VOLATILE COMBINATION
OF MENTOS AND SODA.
>> [ LAUGHING ]
>> Narrator: IN A RECENT MYTH,
THE GUYS BLEW THE LID OFF THIS
GLOBAL PHENOMENON.
>> OH, MY GOD!
>> Narrator: THEY DISCOVERED THE
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN THE MENTOS
AND DIET COKE, COMBINED WITH THE
EFFECT OF NUCLEATION CREATED
FROM THE PITTED SURFACE OF THE
CANDY ITSELF, CAUSE A RAPID
RELEASE OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND A
KRAKATOA OF COLA.
JAMIE GETS TO WORK ON THE
STARTER MOTOR FOR THE WHOLE RIG,
AN INVERTED METAL-AND-MESH CONE
THAT HAS SODA BOTTLES WELDED TO
THE RIM.
THIS SWEET BABY DOESN'T RUN ON
GAS.
>> WHAT WE DO IS TAKE -- JUST
ANY CHUNK OF STEEL WILL DO,
LIKE THIS NUT.
PERCH THAT ON THE INSIDE OF THE
NECK OF THE BOTTLE.
WE PUT OUR MENTOS ON IT, AND
THEN, WHEN WE YANK THE MAGNET
AWAY, WE GET...THAT.
>> Narrator: TIME FOR A TEST
RUN.
>> IN 3...2...1.
[ LAUGHS ]
>> OH, JAMIE, THAT'S EXCELLENT,
SORT OF.
[ LAUGHTER ]
I'LL GET THE MOP.
>> QUICKLY.
IT'S GOING FOR MY STEEL RACK.
>> Narrator: FOR HIS NEXT TRICK,
JAMIE ATTACHES A FLOAT CONTROL
VALVE TO A BOTTLE OF SODA.
>> THERE WE GO.
WE FOUND THAT DROPPING A MENTOS
INTO THE SODA, IF YOU RELEASE
THE PRESSURE SLOWLY, YOU CAN GET
JUST GAS, AND THAT'S COOL.
>> Narrator: THE GAS INFLATES
JAMIE'S PLASTIC PARTY FAVOR VERY
NICELY.
>> ADAM!
>> YES?
>> COME HERE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> THAT'S GREAT.
>> Narrator: SOME MORE HOLIDAY
JOY ARRIVES, SPECIAL DELIVERY.
>> THERE YOU GO.
OH, THEY'RE HIDEOUS.
>> OHH.
>> Narrator: SO, UH, WHAT'S
THE "SYMBOLISM" HERE?
>> THE MONKEYS ARE THE LAST PART
OF THE SEQUENCE THAT IS ALL KIND
OF ON ONE PLANE.
WHEN THEY APPLAUD, THEY'LL
GRADUALLY WORK THEIR WAY FORWARD
ON A LITTLE KIND OF SEESAW THING
THAT'LL TRIP, AND THEN THAT SETS
OFF THE NEXT SERIES OF GAGS.
>> TIP THAT SCALE, MONKEYS!
[ MONKEYS CHITTERING ]
BYE!
GOODBYE, MY LITTLE FRIEND.
AND YOU TOO.
Narrator: THE GUYS STILL HAVE A
LONG WAY TO GO.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: TIME TO QUIT MONKEYING
ABOUT.
>> COME ON-A DOWN TO
JAMIE'S A-MONKEY WAREHOUSE!
WE GOT-A MONKEYS ALL DAY LONG!
>> YOU KNOW, CHRISTMAS JUST
ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT CHRISTMAS
TREES, BUT AS THE HOLIDAYS GO
ON, THEY START DROPPING THEIR
NEEDLES, AND THEY MAKE A HUGE
MESS.
>> I'VE HEARD OF ALL SORTS OF
MYTHICAL RECIPES FOR KEEPING
NEEDLES ON YOUR TREES.
>> WELL, LET'S GET A BUNCH OF
TREES AND TEST ALL THE METHODS
WE CAN FIND.
[ BEEPS ]
>> IT'S FUN TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN
CHRISTMAS TREE.
JERRY LIKES THE SPRUCE TREE.
JANE LIKES THE TALL PINE WITH
LONG NEEDLES.
>> Narrator: NOTHING EVOKES THE
FEELING OF THE HOLIDAYS LIKE THE
SMELL OF FRESH PINE ON A REAL
TREE, BUT SOMETIMES, ALL THE
DEBRIS THEY DROP MAKES YOU WISH
YOU'D GONE WITH PLASTIC.
[ HORN HONKING ]
TO PUT TO THE TEST MYTHICAL
MIRACLES TOUTED TO KEEP YOUR
TREE FRESH, GRANT AND TORY HEAD
OFF TO GO CHRISTMAS-TREE
SHOPPING, WHILE KARI STAYS BACK
TO MAKE NEEDLE CATCHERS.
>> BASICALLY, IT'S GONNA BE A
LITTLE PLATFORM WITH A RIDGE, SO
THE NEEDLES DON'T BLOW AWAY, AND
A LITTLE HOLE WHERE WE CAN SWEEP
ALL THE NEEDLES INTO A LITTLE
CLEAR PLASTIC CONTAINER.
AND WE CAN MEASURE THE VOLUME OF
THEM BY DAY OR BY WEEK,
DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT TAKES
FOR ALL THE NEEDLES TO FALL.
Narrator: SHE STAPLES 6'x6'
PIECES OF THIN PLYWOOD TO WOODEN
BASE FRAMES.
OKAY, ONE DOWN -- NINE TO GO.
>> Narrator: AS SHE CONTINUES
BUILDING, THE GUYS ARRIVE AT THE
CHRISTMAS-TREE FARM.
BUT AS THEY DRIVE THROUGH THE
GATE, THEY RUN INTO A LITTLE
PROBLEM.
>> Narrator: TORY AND GRANT ARE
USED TO BEING STOPPED AT THE
DOOR, BUT THAT'S USUALLY WHEN
THEY'RE TRYING TO GET INTO A
FANCY RESTAURANT.
IT'S NOT EXACTLY A GREAT FIRST
IMPRESSION.
>> "YEAH, JUST GO DOWN TO THE
TREE FARM AND GET US SOME
TREES!"
>> Narrator: LUCKILY, JOHN THE
OWNER IS AN EASYGOING GUY.
>> JOHN, NICE TO MEET YOU.
I'M TORY.
>> HI, JOHN. GRANT.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> SORRY ABOUT THE SIGN.
>> NO PROBLEM.
YOU DIDN'T HURT IT.
>> Narrator: JOHN'S PREFERRED
METHOD OF KEEPING HIS TREES
MOIST IS PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
>> WE PUT THEM IN WATER.
>> WATER?
>> YEAH.
ANYTHING YOU PUT IN THERE IS APT
TO IMPAIR THIS PHYSIOLOGY OF
THIS TREMENDOUS SUCTION
DEVELOPED BY THE CAPILLARY
ACTION.
WATER IS THE BEST YOU CAN USE.
>> Narrator: SO, WHAT DOES HE
THINK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S CRAZY
CONCOCTIONS?
>> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE WILL GO
FOR THE THING THAT THEY LIKE
BEST.
THEY EMPATHIZE WITH THIS TREE,
OF COURSE, AND THEY WANT TO FEED
IT SOMETHING THEY LIKE.
>> Narrator: GRANT AND TORY PICK
OUT 10 DOUGLAS FIRS, ALL THE
SAME SIZE.
>> OKAY, DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY
NOT THAT ONE.
>> NO.
>> WHEN I WAS A KID, WE COULDN'T
AFFORD ORNAMENTS.
>> Narrator: THEIR TREES
SELECTED AND MEASURED, THEY CUT
THEM DOWN...
AND LOAD THEM INTO THE TRUCK.
BEFORE THEY LEAVE, THEY HAVE TO
DO ONE MORE THING -- PUT JOHN'S
SIGN BACK UP.
>> LITTLE MORE!
STOP!
>> Narrator: NOT AGAIN.
>> SORRY.
>> DID THAT SOUND GOOD?
THAT DIDN'T SOUND GOOD.
>> Narrator: IT'S NOT EXACTLY A
GREAT LAST IMPRESSION, EITHER.
>> REALLY, I'M FIXING IT.
>> Narrator: JOHN, HERE'S SOME
GRATIS AIRTIME TO SAY SORRY.
IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT
LIKE CHRISTMAS, AS THE TEAM
PAINSTAKINGLY PIECES TOGETHER A
HOLIDAY-THEMED RUBE GOLDBERG
MACHINE.
>> JAMIE AND I ARE BUILDING A
KIND OF MECHANICAL
CHRISTMAS-PAGEANT MACHINE.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT
SOMETHING THAT'S BOTH FILMABLE
AND INTERESTING AND INVOLVES ALL
THESE DIFFERENT THINGS -- MENTOS
AND COLA, CHRISTMAS, MECHANICAL
STUFF.
IT'S ALIVE!
>> Narrator: LET'S GO INDOOR
BOWLING WITH JAMIE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> STRIKE!
>> Narrator: FOR THIS SETUP,
JAMIE BUILDS A MINI-BOWLING
LANE, THEN SUSPENDS A BOWLING
BALL FROM A TIGHTLY WOUND CORD.
>> YOU READY?
>> WAIT.
OKAY, NOW I'M READY.
[ LAUGHS ]
AAH!
>> WELL, IT KNOCKED THEM DOWN.
>> Narrator: NEXT HE MAKES A
DEVICE THAT WILL POWER HIS BALL.
HE POURS A SPLASH OF DIET COKE
INTO A DISH AND INSERTS COPPER
WIRE THAT'S CONNECTED TO A SMALL
MOTOR.
THE COLA ACTS AS A CONDUCTOR.
>> THIS LITTLE ELECTRIC MOTOR IS
RIGHT OUT OF A MICROWAVE OVEN, I
THINK.
PROBABLY ONE OF THE ONES THAT
WE'VE USED AND DESTROYED ON THE
SHOW BEFORE.
IT'S NOT GETTING MUCH POWER, BUT
IT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TURN, AND
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR US TO PULL A
LITTLE PIN OUT AND MAKE THE
BOWLING BALL DROP.
>> Narrator: ADAM'S COOKING UP
ANOTHER TRICK.
HE WELDS AN OVEN TO A SPECIALLY
DESIGNED STEEL STAND THAT WILL
SERVE UP AN UNFORGETTABLE
HOLIDAY MEAL.
>> SO IT'LL BE PERCHED LIKE
THIS.
HAMMER WILL HIT IT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
ALL RIGHT, THERE'S A COUPLE
KINKS.
>> Narrator: JUST A COUPLE.
BUT IF THEY IRON THEM ALL OUT,
IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT SHOW.
>> WE'VE GOT LIQUID SQUIRTING
ALL OVER THE PLACE.
WE'VE GOT CHEMICAL REACTIONS.
WE'VE GOT WHEELS SPINNING.
WE'VE GOT BALLS ROLLING.
WE'VE GOT THINGS GOING OFF,
CANNONS EXPLODING, ELECTRICAL
ARCS JUMPING.
>> ARISE, MY SON!
>> Narrator: AND BUSTER IN A
PEAR TREE.
>> OH, IT'S AWESOME.
IT'S LIKE A BALLET.
>> Narrator: SO STEP RIGHT UP,
FOLKS.
THE SPECTACLE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
BACK OVER AT M7, THE TEAM IS
PREPPING THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES
FOR THE GREAT NEEDLE DROPFEST.
>> I'VE TAKEN THE ADVICE OF THE
EXPERT.
HE SAID TO CUT AN INCH ABOVE OUR
ORIGINAL CUT.
THIS IS GONNA OPEN UP THE CELLS
AND ALLOW WHATEVER WE PUT INTO
OUR TRAYS TO BE ABSORBED INTO
THE TREE.
>> Narrator: THE TREES ARE
INSERTED THROUGH THE HOLES IN
KARI'S NEEDLE CATCHERS AND
SECURED TO THEIR STANDS.
>> ALL RIGHTY.
>> Narrator: THEN, GRANT VACUUMS
UP ANY DEBRIS.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WHEN WE DO OFFICIALLY START THE
EXPERIMENT THAT WE START
EVERYTHING WITH A CLEAN SLATE.
ALL THE NEEDLES WE COLLECT FROM
THEN ON WILL BE THE ONES THAT
WE'RE JUDGING OUR EXPERIMENT.
>> Narrator: ONE TREE WILL BE
KEPT AS THE CONTROL AND FED ONLY
WATER.
SEVEN OTHERS WILL BE TREATED
WITH A DIFFERENT
ANTI-NEEDLE-DROPPING REMEDY,
FROM THE ORDINARY TO THE OUT
THERE.
FIRST IS A PLANT-FRIENDLY
ADDITIVE, FERTILIZER.
>> IT'S NICE.
>> Narrator: TORY ADDS A RATIO
OF 5% TO A GALLON OF WATER AND
POURS IT INTO THE STAND.
>> ALL RIGHT, TIME TO KILL A
CHRISTMAS TREE.
>> Narrator: TREE NUMBER TWO
ISN'T SO LUCKY.
IT GETS TO SUCK UP A 5% MIX OF
BLEACH.
BLEACH CONTAINS THE TOXIN
CHLORINE THAT KILLS BACTERIA,
SO MAYBE IT'LL KEEP IT
SPARKLING.
>> MY PREDICTION IS THIS THING
IS GONNA BE BROWN TOMORROW.
>> Narrator: NEXT IS A LIBATION
THAT'S A WHOLE LOT MORE
REFRESHING -- LEMON, LIME, AND
SODA.
>> I'M GUESSING THAT WHY YOU
WOULD USE THIS VERSUS, SAY,
REGULAR WATER WOULD HAVE TO BE
EITHER SUGAR, CARBONATION, OR
PRESERVATIVES, 'CAUSE OTHERWISE,
IT IS JUST WATER.
NOW, PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK SUGAR,
MAYBE 'CAUSE IT MAKES THEM
HYPER, WILL PERK UP THE TREE.
>> Narrator: THEN, KARI CRUSHES
UP AND DISPENSES A POPULAR PAIN
RELIEVER THAT SOME PEOPLE
BELIEVE STOPS THE HEADACHE OF
CLEANING UP FALLEN NEEDLES.
>> THERE WE GO.
>> Narrator: NEXT IS A LITTLE
BLUE PILL THAT'S A [CHUCKLES]
MYSTERY PRODUCT.
I'LL LET KARI SET IT STRAIGHT.
>> I'M TRYING TO DANCE AROUND
HOW TO SAY THIS BECAUSE PEOPLE
MIGHT HAVE THEIR KIDS WATCHING.
UM. UM.
SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER, DADDY'S
LITTLE HELPER, MAYBE MAMA'S
LITTLE HELPER.
>> Narrator: SANTA'S LITTLE
HELPER CONTAINS NITRIC OXIDE.
IN HUMANS, IT INCREASES BLOOD
FLOW, SO IT MIGHT HELP PLANTS
FEEL MORE...VIGOROUS, TOO.
>> IT'S GOT TO TAKE A LITTLE
TIME TO TAKE EFFECT.
>> I DON'T KNOW.
DOES IT?
>> Narrator: ANOTHER POSSIBLE
TRICK OF HOLDING THINGS FIRM
IS TO USE HAIR SPRAY.
>> SO, I AM APPLYING HAIR SPRAY
AS A NEEDLE-RETENTION DEVICE.
WHAT I THINK IS GONNA HAPPEN IS
I SPRAY THIS ALL OVER THE TREE,
AND IT CREATES A LITTLE BARRIER
THAT WILL KEEP THE MOISTURE IN
AND KEEP THE NEEDLES ON.
YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO STYLE THE
TREE, AND I GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT
MORE FULLNESS RIGHT AROUND HERE.
PUT THE HAIR SPRAY -- VERY NICE,
VERY NICE.
>> Narrator: THE FINAL TREE IS
THE ULTIMATE MYTHBUSTERS SPECIAL
THAT TAKES THE HAIR-SPRAY IDEA
TO A WHOLE NEW STRATOSPHERE.
THE TEAM SUITS UP AND BREAKS IT
DOWN, OLD-SCHOOL STYLE.
>> ♪ BRING IT IN ♪
♪ AIN'T IT FUNKY? ♪
♪ FUNKY! ♪
>> Narrator: LIKE A HAPPY HAZMAT
TEAM, THEY SPRAY THE TREE ALL
OVER WITH A CLEAR COAT OF
URETHANE.
>> THE IDEA IS THAT WE'RE GONNA
COMPLETELY ENCASE THE TREE IN A
THIN, CLEAR LAYER OR URETHANE,
AND THAT'S GONNA KEEP ALL THE
MOISTURE IN.
>> Narrator: IT'S THE ULTIMATE
EXTRA SUPERHOLD SPRAY THAT ALSO
ADDS FABULOUS SHINE.
>> SO WHAT DO YOU THINK --
AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY -- THINK
THEY'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO DO
THIS?
>> OH, TOTALLY.
I HAVE A SPRAY ROOM IN MY HOUSE.
>> YEAH.
>> Narrator: THE TREES WILL BE
MONITORED OVER A 6-WEEK PERIOD,
AND THEIR NEEDLE-DROPPING
RESULTS WILL BE REVEALED AT THE
END OF THE SHOW.
>> OKAY, CHRISTMAS IS COMING.
IT'S TIME TO THINK ABOUT GETTING
THE BIRD.
>> WELL, UNLIKE MY BEAN-CURD
SUBSTITUTE TURKEY, THERE'S ALL
SORTS OF STORIES AND MYTHS ABOUT
THE DANGERS OF THE FROZEN
TURKEY.
I'VE HEARD IT'S CRACKED FLOOR
TILES, BROKEN TOES, AND EVEN
CAUSED THE DEATH OF SOME PETS.
>> WELL, WHY DON'T WE SEPARATE
FACT FROM FICTION AND SEE HOW
LETHAL THESE FROZEN TURKEYS ARE?
>> YEAH, IT'LL BE LIKE A PUBLIC
SERVICE.
>> EXACTLY.
[ BEEPS ]
>> Narrator: EVERY HOLIDAY
SEASON, WE HUMANS CAUSE THE
TURKEY POPULATION TO PLUMMET.
BUT IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A FALLING
FROZEN TURKEY TO TURN THE TABLES
ON US?
WHEN DROPPING TURKEYS, WHAT DO
YOU NEED?
WELL, FIRST UP, A STEEL
TURKEY-DROPPER RIG TO PLAY THE
ROLE OF A FRAZZLED HOMEMAKER.
GRANT IS MAKING ITS POWER
MECHANISM.
>> I AM RIGGING UP THE AIR
SYSTEM FOR THE TURKEY-DROP RIG,
AND THESE ARE ROTARY PNEUMATIC
AIR CYLINDERS.
AND WHEN I HIT THIS BUTTON, IT'S
GOING TO OPEN UP THE ARMS, JUST
LIKE THAT, DROPPING THE TURKEY.
>> Narrator: MEANWHILE, TORY
DEMONSTRATES HIS HANDYMAN
SKILLS.
>> SO, WE NEED SOME HANDS TO
HOLD THE TURKEY FOR THE
TURKEY-DROP MECHANISM, SO WHAT
I'M DOING RIGHT NOW -- I'M GONNA
POUR UP SOME HANDS IN SOME
URETHANE, AND I'M GONNA PUT THIS
TUBE, THESE STEEL TUBES INTO THE
HANDS, AND THEY WILL SLIP INTO
THE ARMS OF THE RIG.
>> Narrator: HE POURS THE
INSTANT URETHANE INTO PREMADE
MOLDS, GIVES THEM A SHAKE, AND
PRESTO!
GIVE HIM A HAND, EVERYONE.
>> HEY, FELLA.
>> DON'T TOUCH ME WITH THOSE.
>> WELL, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE
THESE HAVE BEEN.
>> Narrator: TORY ATTACHES HIS
ARMS TO THE RIG.
>> PUT HER THERE.
>> Narrator: USING A SANDBAG AS
A SUBSTITUTE BIRD, THEY'RE READY
TO TEST ITS TURKEY-DROPPING
TECHNIQUE.
>> READY?
>> YEAH.
>> 3, 2, 1.
>> OHH!
WHAT THE HECK?
WELL, LOOKS LIKE WE NEED TO MAKE
SOME NEW HANDS.
>> Narrator: NOW, THAT'S WHAT I
CALL A FIRM HANDSHAKE.
>> DO WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHY
I JUST GOT HIT IN THE HEAD WITH
A THUMB?
>> UM.
>> UM.
>> NO.
>> NO.
>> Narrator: WHILE THE GUYS MAKE
THEIR MODIFICATIONS, KARI IS
CREATING SOME FEET.
>> ADAM ALREADY HAS MADE A MOLD
FOR OUR STEEL-CAPPED BOOT
EXPERIMENT IN THE PAST, AND I'M
GOING TO USE THIS, BECAUSE IT
MAKES A GREAT SKELETON FOOT.
>> Narrator: THE SKELETON IS
MADE FROM A MIX OF URETHANE AND
FIBERGLASS THAT DRIES TO A
REALISTIC BONELIKE TEXTURE.
>> THAT'S A GOOD MOLD ADAM MADE
HERE.
THIS ONE FITS INTO HERE, AND
THIS ONE...
>> Narrator: THEN, THEY'RE
ENCASED IN A FOOT-SHAPED MOLD OF
BALLISTICS GELATIN.
>> NICE.
>> Narrator: HER FEET ARE
DEFINITELY SUFFERING FROM FALLEN
ARCHES, BUT THEY'LL DO JUST
FINE.
>> OKAY.
LET'S GO STICK THESE IN THE
FRIDGE TILL WE USE THEM.
>> Narrator: NOW, BECAUSE WE'RE
ALL DOG LOVERS HERE AT
"MYTHBUSTERS," TO TEST THE
"TURKEYS FALLING ON SMALL PETS"
MYTH, KARI IS MAKING FAKE
POOCHES.
SHE COVERS CANINE-REPLICA
SKELETONS IN BALLISTICS MEDIUM.
THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A BREED
RECOMMENDED FOR FAMILIES WITH
SMALL CHILDREN.
>> THIS IS NOT A NORMAL FAMILY
CHRISTMAS FOR ME 'CAUSE THE DOGS
IN MY FAMILY ARE VERY CUTE AND
SNUGGLY.
THEY'RE NEITHER DRIPPY NOR
FRIGHTENING.
>> Narrator: TO UP THE REALISM,
PROFESSIONAL STILL-LIFE MODEL
GERTRUDE IS HELPING OUT.
>> I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
EXACTLY HOW THE HINDQUARTERS
LOOK ON A DOG.
AND GERTRUDE'S MODELING FOR ME
'CAUSE SHE'S ALMOST THE SAME
DOG.
>> Narrator: MAYBE NOT QUITE THE
SAME.
SHE ADDS SOME BULGING EYEBALLS.
>> YEAH. THIS REALLY DOESN'T
HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE
MYTH, BUT IT'S A FLESH-EATING
ZOMBIE DOG, SO IT NEEDS SOME
FLESH-EATING ZOMBIE GOOGLY EYES.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S SO WRONG.
>> I STARTED OUT MAKING A DOG.
I LOVE IT.
>> Narrator: NICE DOGGY.
GRANT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SLEEP
WITH ONE EYE OPEN TONIGHT.
>> AW, YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD PUPPY.
[ SMOOCHES ]
>> Narrator: KARI, YOU DON'T
WANT TO GET TOO ATTACHED.
OVER AT M5, IT'S GOING TO BE
A GAS.
[ GAS HISSING ]
JAMIE AND ADAM ARE FINALLY READY
TO ACTIVATE THEIR RUBE GOLDBERG
MACHINE, A 100-FOOT-LONG HOLIDAY
MIRACLE WITH 60 MOVING PARTS.
>> JUST TO MAKE THE POINT, I
WOULDN'T EVEN WALK FAST NEAR A
LOT OF THIS STUFF.
SO NOBODY BREATHE ON THIS ONE,
ALL RIGHT?
>> I CAN SEE YOU'RE REALLY
GETTING INTO THE ZEN OF THIS
THING.
>> I'M THINKING ABOUT IT WITH
EVERYTHING I SEE THESE DAYS.
>> WELL, IT'S TIME TO DO IT.
WE'RE ALL DONE.
>> IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
LET'S GO DO IT.
>> OKAY.
>> Narrator: IT'S THE MOMENT OF
TRUTH, BUT HOW'S IT ALL GOING TO
WORK?
>> PAY CLOSE ATTENTION, 'CAUSE
HERE'S EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN.
AT THE TOP OF THIS CONE ARE 10
BOTTLES OF COLA.
AT A PRESCRIBED MOMENT, JAMIE
WILL YANK ON THIS STRING,
RELEASING A MENTOS INTO EACH OF
THOSE 10 BOTTLES, WHICH WILL
THEN SPRAY COLA DOWN INTO THIS
FUNNEL, DOWN INTO THIS TUBE, UP
TO THIS PAIR OF WIRES, WHICH
WILL MAKE AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT,
WHICH WILL RELEASE THIS MOTOR,
SENDING THIS BOWLING BALL
SPINNING, SPINNING, SPINNING,
SPINNING, SPINNING, SPINNING,
SPINNING, SPINNING, SPINNING,
SPINNING DOWN.
IT'LL STOP, BUT THE BOWLING BALL
WILL KEEP ON SPINNING, RELEASE
ITSELF FROM THE SCREW, FALL
DOWN, HIT ALL 10 SANTA BOWLING
PINS, WHICH WILL YANK ON THE
STRING, SEND THE SKIERS DOWN.
THE SKIERS GOING DOWN WILL YANK
ON THIS MAGNET, WHICH WILL
RELEASE THIS SODA BOTTLE,
SENDING THE PARTY FAVOR GOING --
BUP-BUP-BUP-BUP-BUP-BUP-BUP --
GOING LIKE THIS -- BOOM! --
RELEASING THIS MENTOS --
TK-TK-TK-TK -- ALL THE WAY DOWN
INTO THE BASKET, RELEASING THIS
MENTOS -- TK-TK-TK-TK -- ALL THE
WAY DOWN INTO THIS BASKET.
THIS BALL WILL GO DOWN HERE --
TUNK-TUNK-DUNK -- RELEASE THE
TRAIN -- WHOO-WHOO -- ALL THE
WAY AROUND, ALL THE WAY AROUND,
INTO THE PRESENT -- BOOM -- THE
PRESENT CLOSES, RELEASES A
MENTOS INTO THIS BOTTLE OF SODA,
SENDING THIS ROBOT, PUSHING THE
CANDLE UNDER THE STRING.
THE CANDLE WILL BURN THROUGH
THE STRING.
THE STRING WILL RELEASE THE
HAMMER.
HAMMER WILL HIT THE STOVE.
THE STOVE, WHICH HAS A ROAST IN
IT, WILL RELEASE ITS ROAST ONTO
THIS SEESAW, ONTO THE DINOSAUR
PLATFORM, JIGGLING THIS THING,
RELEASING THE TWO LITTLE DOODADS
HERE, WHICH WILL SEND THIS
SEESAW GOING THIS WAY, RELEASING
A BALL INTO THIS ROBOT, TURNING
HIM ON.
THIS ROBOT WILL FIND HIS WAY
EVENTUALLY TO THIS HAND, WHICH
WILL -- BOOM -- TURN THIS SWITCH
ON, SENDING THE JACOB'S
LADDER -- NNR-NNR-NRR! --
LIKE FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER.
THAT WILL SET OFF THIS FUSE --
WHHHH! -- BOOM! --
SETTING THE CANNON OFF.
THE CANNON WILL RELEASE THE
PIRATE'S HAT.
THE PIRATE'S HAT WILL TURN ON
THE MONKEYS.
THE MONKEYS WILL GO DOWN THE
RAMP, RELEASING THE NUT FROM
THIS NUTCRACKER'S MOUTH, WHICH I
JUST DID, RELEASING ANOTHER
MENTOS INTO THIS BOTTLE OF SODA,
SENDING THIS THING SPINNING,
PULLING A STRING OUT, WHICH LETS
THIS FOOT KICK THE BROKEN CLUTCH
HERE, SENDING BUSTER CRASHING
INTO THE GROUND, AND THAT'S
WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
>> Narrator: HAPPEN OR NOT,
YOU'VE JUST WITNESSED THE
LONGEST PIECE TO CAMERA IN
"MYTHBUSTERS" HISTORY.
>> THIS IS RUBE GOLDBERG, RUN
ONE.
>> IN 3...2...1.
>> Narrator: JAMIE PULLS THE
WIRES.
THE SODA BUBBLES UP...
BUT THE MACHINE COMES TO A STOP.
SOMETHING NEEDS FLUSHING.
>> COME ON.
>> THERE'S SOMETHING BLOCKING
IT.
THAT'S THE PROBLEM -- THE END
WAS ABOVE THE LEVEL.
>> Narrator: THEY REPOSITION THE
TUBE, MOP UP, AND ARE READY TO
GO AGAIN.
>> GOLDBERG RUN TWO.
>> 3...2...1.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME, THE
SODA PASSES THROUGH THE PIPE
WITH EASE...
>> THERE SHE BLOWS.
UH-OH.
>> Narrator: ...TRIGGERING
JAMIE'S SPINNING-BOWLING-BALL
MECHANISM...
>> OH, IT'S VERY SMOOTH.
>> Narrator: ...THAT HITS THE
SET OF PINS, BUT THE SKIERS ARE
STUCK ON THE SLOPE.
>> HERE WE GO AGAIN.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> WELL, THAT'S THE NATURE OF
THE BEAST.
>> Narrator: RESET.
WITH ALL THIS PENT-UP TENSION,
ADAM NEEDS A RELEASE.
>> THE MAIN CONSTRAINTS WE'RE
WORKING WITH IS THERE'S NO
CHEATING HERE.
EACH MECHANICAL GAG LEADS TO
THE NEXT ONE, INEXORABLY.
SO, IF SOMETHING MESSES UP, WE
HAVE TO RESET EVERYTHING AND
START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN.
>> Narrator: LET'S LEAVE THEM
ALONE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT
WRONG THIS TIME.
>> THIS IS ALL YOUR RIG, ISN'T
IT?
>> YEAH, YOU GOT SOMETHING YOU
WANT TO SAY ABOUT IT?
>> I'LL JUST WAIT AND SEE.
>> Narrator: CAN A FALLING
FROZEN TURKEY DO THIS KIND OF
DAMAGE?
TO FIND OUT, THE TEAM ARE ABOUT
TO TEST THE PUMMEL POWER OF
FROZEN FOWLS WITH THEIR
MECHANICAL HOMEMAKER.
>> SEEM ABOUT RIGHT?
PULLING THE TURKEY OUT OF THE
FREEZER, SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE?
YOU'VE GOT TO IMAGINE LIKE
YOU'RE PULLING A TURKEY OUT OF
THE FREEZER, SO THE NORMAL
HEIGHT IS AROUND 60 TO 69
INCHES.
>> Narrator: A FORCE PLATE IS
PUT IN THE DROP ZONE.
>> AND THAT'S GOING TO TELL US
HOW MUCH ENERGY THE DROPPING
TURKEY IS GOING TO IMPART ON
YOUR FOOT.
>> Narrator: SO, HOW MANY PEOPLE
IS MOM CATERING FOR?
>> AN 18 3/4-POUND TURKEY, THIS
WOULD PROBABLY FEED -- I DON'T
KNOW -- A FAMILY OF...FOUR?
TWO, IF THEY'RE REALLY HUNGRY.
>> Narrator: IT'S TIME TO STOP
TALKING TURKEY AND DROP 'EM.
>> EXCELLENT.
>> YEAH? GOOD.
>> IN 3...2...1.
>> WOW.
>> OKAY.
>> RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.
WHOO!
>> Narrator: THE BIRD DIVED LIKE
A BOULDER, BUT HOW HARD DID IT
HIT?
>> SO, YOU CAN SEE HERE THE
INITIAL HIT IS 1,901 NEWTONS.
AND THAT IS...
>> 427.3 POUNDS.
>> WOW.
>> DUDE, THAT COULD BREAK YOUR
FOOT.
>> Narrator: LET'S FIND OUT,
SHALL WE?
THE PLATE IS REMOVED, AND KARI
PUTS HER FOOT DOWN.
>> THIS IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME, THEY
POSITION THE TURKEY POINTING
DOWN.
IT MIGHT DO MORE DAMAGE.
>> 3...2...1.
>> OHH!
>> THAT LOOKS LIKE IT HURT!
>> THAT WAS A PERFECT SHOT.
>> YOU COULD FEEL THAT.
>> Narrator: OUCH!
CALL YOUR PODIATRIST PRONTO.
THE POINTED TURKEY POUNDED THE
FOOT WITH MORE THAN 770 POUNDS
OF BONE-CRUNCHING FORCE.
>> OHH!
>> OHH! BRUTAL.
>> THAT BROKE THE MIDDLE OF THE
FOOT -- THAT'S HORRIBLE.
>> THAT'S THROUGH THE THICKEST
BONE RIGHT HERE.
>> AND THAT WAS PRETTY THICK.
THAT'S A STRONG PART.
>> THAT WAS A GREAT SHOT.
>> Narrator: THE REDUCED SURFACE
AREA OF THE POINTED TURKEY
APPLIES MORE CONCENTRATED FORCE
TO THE FOOT AND THEREFORE UPS
THE OUCH FACTOR.
WITH A SMACKDOWN THAT STRONG,
YOU DEFINITELY WOULDN'T BE DOING
THIS FOR AWHILE.
>> NOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO
THE NEXT STEP IN OUR MYTH, WHICH
IS SMALL PETS.
AND I'VE MADE THIS
BALLISTICS-GEL ZOMBIE DOG TO
ILLUSTRATE OUR POINT.
>> Narrator: ZOMBIE DOG IS
UNDERFOOT OF THE COOK -- PRIME
FALLING-SCRAPS POSITION.
>> DOES ANYBODY ELSE FEEL KIND
OF BAD ABOUT THIS?
IT'S KIND OF CUTE.
>> IT'S NOT A REAL DOG.
>> I KNOW, BUT I'M GETTING
ATTACHED.
>> 3...2...1.
[ CRACKING ]
>> OHH! OHH! OHH!
DID YOU HEAR THAT SOUND?
>> YES, I DID.
>> DID YOU HEAR THAT CRACK?
>> Narrator: POOR LITTLE FELLA.
A GIANT FROZEN TURKEY WAS NOT
THE TREAT HE WAS HOPING FOR.
THE GANG CHECKS THE HIGH-SPEED,
AND IT'S NOT PRETTY.
>> OHH!
>> OHH! THAT IS MESSED UP!
>> HE'S STILL SMILING.
DIDN'T BREAK HIS SPIRITS.
>> LEGS LOOK LIKE THEY BROKE,
BACK CAVED.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
ONE, 'CAUSE I THINK IT'S GONNA
BE WORSE.
>> Narrator: IN THE NAME OF DUE
DILIGENCE, THEY PUT ANOTHER GEL
PET IN THE DANGER ZONE.
>> IN 3...2...1.
>> OHH!
>> THIS REMINDS ME OF MY
CHRISTMAS.
[ CRACKING ]
>> OHH!
>> Narrator: THIS DROP IS A REAL
EYE-OPENER.
>> OH! OH, MY GOD!
OH, MY GOD!
>> OH, THE HEAD SNAPS AROUND.
>> HIS LITTLE EYES --
>> THE LEGS SNAP OFF.
THE EYE COMES OUT.
I WAS SORT OF, LIKE, HALF
STOKED, HALF CREEPED OUT.
>> I'M ALL CREEPED OUT.
>> Narrator: OUR ZOMBIE DOGS
NEED URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION,
SO THE TEAM TAKES THEM TO A
VETERINARIAN TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT
KIND OF INJURIES THEY SUSTAINED.
>> I DROPPED A TURKEY ON MY PET
DOG.
>> AND THEN WE DEEP FRIED IT.
>> I CAN TELL. I CAN TELL.
>> YOU'RE JUST, LIKE, A REGULAR
VET, AND SO YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT
USED TO ZOMBIE DOGS.
>> NO, I'M NOT USED TO ZOMBIE
DOGS AT ALL.
BUT WE'LL SEE.
WE'LL TAKE A LOOK.
MIND IF I HOLD HIM?
>> YEAH.
>> OH, HE'S CUTE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> THERE YOU ARE, LITTLE MAN.
>> Narrator: THE MODELS ARE
MEASURED AND X-RAYED JUST LIKE
REAL DOGS WOULD BE.
SOME OF THE OTHER PATIENTS WERE
NOT AMUSED.
[ CAT GROWLS ]
DR. MORAN DELIVERS HIS
PROGNOSIS.
I'M AFRAID IT'S NOT GOOD NEWS.
>> ASIDE FROM THE MULTIPLE
SPINAL FRACTURES, WHICH THE DOG
HAS A POOR CHANCE OF RECOVERING
FROM, THE RIGHT REAR LIMB IS
SHATTERED, THE LEFT REAR LIMB
HAS MULTIPLE FRACTURES, AND
THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF
SURGERY, AND EVEN WITH THAT, HE
MAY NOT COME THROUGH IT.
>> I KNOW THIS IS A FAKE DOG,
BUT YOU'RE SORT OF DEPRESSING ME
RIGHT NOW.
>> YEAH, THE PROGNOSIS FOR THIS
DOG IS NOT GREAT.
>> Narrator: SO, IS A FALLING
FROZEN TURKEY DANGEROUS TO YOUR
PET?
>> PLAUSIBLE?
>> OH, YEAH.
>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY 'CAUSE THESE
AREN'T REAL DOGS, SO WE'RE NOT
GONNA BE ABLE TO TEST THIS FOR
REAL, SO IT WOULD HAVE TO BE
PLAUSIBLE.
IT'S A LITTLE SAD, ISN'T IT?
>> IT IS A LITTLE SAD.
>> EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT REAL.
>> I FEEL REAL BAD ABOUT THESE
GUYS.
>> YEAH, I CAN TELL.
[ LAUGHTER ]
YOU SEEM REAL BROKEN UP.
>> BROKEN UP -- THAT'S A GOOD
WORD TO USE.
>> BYE.
>> BYE, GUYS.
[ ELECTRICITY CRACKLING ]
>> Narrator: BACK AT THE
WORKSHOP, THE TEAM TENDS THEIR
CHRISTMAS-TREE GARDEN.
IT'S TWO WEEKS INTO THE TEST,
AND EACH TREE IS BEING REGULARLY
TREATED WITH ITS CHOSEN METHOD
AND CHECKED FOR NEEDLE DROPPAGE.
>> WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW IS
I'M SWEEPING UP THE NEEDLES INTO
KARI'S NEEDLE CATCHERS, AND THIS
WAY, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACCURATELY
MEASURE WHICH TREE IS LOSING
MORE NEEDLES.
I HAVE TO CONTROL MY BREATHING,
'CAUSE IF I BREATHE TOO HARD, I
MIGHT KNOCK OFF MORE NEEDLES.
>> Narrator: KARI AND GRANT
INSPECT THE TREES FOR BOTH
NEEDLE RETENTION AND AESTHETICS.
>> LAST WEEK'S PICK WAS SODA.
HAIR SPRAY WAS MY PICK.
>> IT'S DOING GOOD.
>> SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER'S DOING
PRETTY GOOD.
>> COLOR'S NOT SO GOOD.
>> OKAY, IF YOU WERE GONNA JUST
JUDGE ON COLOR, THE CONTROL IS
THE GREENEST.
>> YEAH.
THE ONE THAT WE HAVEN'T ADDED
ANYTHING TO IS LOOKING REALLY
GOOD.
>> Narrator: THE REASONS FOR THE
RESULTS MAY BE THE SODA IS
ADDING SUGAR THAT GIVES THE TREE
A BOOST AND THE HAIRSPRAY IS
HELPING KEEP MOISTURE LOCKED IN
BY GLUING THE PORES OF THE
LEAVES SHUT.
SURPRISINGLY, THE ONE THAT'S
PERFORMING THE WORST IS
FERTILIZER.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE TREE
EQUIVALENT OF PATTERN
BALDNESS -- SOMETHING GONE
HORRIBLY, HORRIBLY WRONG.
>> Narrator: AND HOW ABOUT
THE MYTHBUSTERS' ULTIMATE
URETHANE-SPRAYED TREE?
>> I WOULD SAY THE WORST WOULD
DEFINITELY BE OUR SUPERPAINTED
MYTHBUSTER TREE.
THAT'S TURNING A REALLY WEIRD
RED.
>> Narrator: THERE ARE FOUR MORE
WEEKS TO GO IN THIS BATTLE OF
THE PINES, AND WITH NO
FRONT-RUNNER, IT'S STILL ANY
TREE'S RACE.
>> REMEMBER...SHORT BREATHS.
>> Narrator: FOR SOME HOLIDAY
FUN, JAMIE AND ADAM ARE PUTTING
A MERRY MYTHBUSTERS TWIST ON THE
EepyBirds' SODA-AND-MENTOS
LATEST INTERNET SPECTACLE.
>> THERE'S SOMETHING BLOCKING
IT.
>> Narrator: NOW, IF THEY COULD
JUST GET IT TO WORK.
>> OHH!
>> GOLDBERG RUN THREE.
>> Narrator: IT'S TAKE THREE,
AND THIS TIME, JAMIE'S ENGINE IS
OFF TO A SMOOTH START.
>> MOTOR'S TURNING.
AND IT'S SPINNING.
WE'RE GOOD.
OH, THAT'S GOOD.
THAT'S LOOKING HAPPY.
>> Narrator: STRIKE!
>> OH, YES!
COME ON, BABY! COME ON!
>> Narrator: WILL JAMIE'S PARTY
FAVOR REACH THE PEAK?
>> YOU CAN TOTALLY DO IT.
YOU CAN TOTALLY DO IT.
YOU'RE UP FOR THIS.
YOU TRAINED FOR THIS!
>> YAY!
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> Narrator: A NICE PERFORMANCE
UNDER PRESSURE.
THE MENTOS SLIDES DOWN THE RAMP.
AND ADAM'S TRICK SHOT IS NOTHING
BUT NET.
[ LAUGHTER ]
THE BALL BOARDS THE TRAIN...
COMES TO THE END OF THE LINE,
AND TRIGGERS THEIR SODA SWINGER.
>> COME ON! COME ON!
THERE WE GO!
COME ON, BABY.
THAT'S IT!
>> Narrator: RED ROBOT MAN
MARCHES INTO POSITION.
>> GO, ROBOT.
>> GOES.
>> Narrator: THE TURKEY ROLL IS
PERFECTION.
BUT YELLOW ROBOT MAN SHORTS OUT.
>> WHY IS HE STUCK?
HE'S NEVER GOTTEN STUCK BEFORE
IN HIS LIFE!
>> Narrator: ADAM IS DISCOVERING
THIS TIME OF YEAR CAN BE VERY
STRESSFUL.
>> JAMIE AND I HAVE BOTH DONE
RIGS LIKE THIS FOR COMMERCIALS
BEFORE.
AND WHEN WE'VE DONE GAGS LIKE
THIS, I MEAN, WE'VE HAD BETWEEN
TWO AND EIGHT WEEKS TO BUILD ALL
THE GAGS, AND THEN LIKE BETWEEN
THREE AND FOUR DAYS TO SHOOT THE
WHOLE THING.
THIS RIG -- 37 GAGS --
WE HAD ONE WEEK TO BUILD IT AND
SHOOT IT.
>> Narrator: HOW ABOUT SOME
HOLIDAY MUSIC TO LIFT EVERYONE'S
SPIRITS?
[ "JINGLE BELLS" PLAYS ]
>> GOLDBERG RUN FOUR.
>> PULL THE STRING!
>> OHH!
>> OHH!
>> GOLDBERG RUN FIVE, FINGERS
CROSSED.
>> OHH!
>> TAKE SIX, GOLDBERG RUN.
>> THERE IT GOES.
OH!
OHH!
>> OHH!
>> [ Laughing ] OH, NO!
THE THINGS THAT HAVE NEVER GONE
WRONG ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE
GOING WRONG.
>> GOLDBERG RUN SEVEN.
>> WHAT THE [BLEEP]?
>> Narrator: SOMEONE'S GOODWILL
IS FADING FAST.
>> ALL THE ONES THAT SEEM
TOTALLY BULLETPROOF ARE THE ONES
THAT ARE NOW GIVING US TROUBLE.
IN FACT, EVERY THING THAT I
THOUGHT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT AT ALL ARE THE THINGS THAT
ARE GOING WRONG WITH IT.
>> GOLDBERG, TAKE EIGHT.
>> Narrator: 'TIS THE SEASON TO
BE JOLLY, BUT ADAM'S ABOUT TO
THROW IN THE TOWEL.
>> [BLEEP]
>> ALL RIGHT, YOU GUYS.
ALL THIS TALK ABOUT CHRISTMAS IS
MAKING ME HUNGRY.
>> FUNNY YOU SHOULD SAY THAT,
'CAUSE WE ACTUALLY FOUND A MYTH
THAT INVOLVES COOKING A TURKEY.
>> APPARENTLY, THERE'S ENOUGH
RADIATION COMING OFF OF A RADIO
ANTENNA TO COOK A TURKEY JUST
LIKE IN YOUR MICROWAVE AT HOME.
>> YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.
>> NO, I'M SERIOUS.
>> WHAT SAD PERSON COOKS THEIR
CHRISTMAS DINNER IN THE
MICROWAVE?
>> EVERYONE'S SAD AT THE
HOLIDAYS.
[ BEEPS ]
>> Narrator: EVERY HAPPY
HOMEMAKER HAS THEIR PREFERRED
METHOD TO TRUSS, STUFF, AND
ROAST A HOLIDAY TURKEY, BUT FOR
THIS RECIPE, YOU DON'T EVEN NEED
AN OVEN.
A MICROWAVE HEATS FOOD BY
EMITTING ELECTROMAGNETIC
RADIATION THAT TRAVELS THROUGH
IT IN WAVES.
THE WAVES VIBRATE WATER
MOLECULES THAT RAISE THE
TEMPERATURE.
RADIO AND TV TOWERS ALSO SEND
OUT THIS KIND OF ENERGY, SO
MAYBE THEY CAN ALSO BAKE A BIRD.
TO PUT THE TOWER THEORY TO THE
TEST, THE TEAM TAKES A SCENIC
DRIVE TO THE TALLEST
BROADCASTING ANTENNA IN
SAN FRANCISCO -- SUTRO TOWER.
AT 977 FEET, IT'S GOING TO BE A
LONG CLIMB TO BAKE THEIR BIRD,
BUT THE VIEW SHOULD BE
SPECTACULAR.
>> HI.
>> HOW YOU GOING?
>> I'M GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?
>> I'M TORY.
>> Narrator: TURKEY AND
INDUSTRIAL TAPE IN HAND, THE
TEAM MEETS GENERAL MANAGER
GENE ZASTROW.
>> SO, GENE, WHAT WE WANT TO
FIND OUT IS WHETHER MICROWAVE
ENERGY CAN COOK A TURKEY.
>> SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF US
JUMPING UP THERE AND TAPING A
TURKEY TO IT JUST TO CHECK?
>> [ LAUGHS ]
I DON'T THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE.
>> Narrator: NO?
PERMISSION IS DENIED.
AND GENE CAN'T BE SWEET-TALKED.
>> BUT IF I SAY PRETTY PLEASE
WITH SUGAR ON TOP?
>> NO WITH SUGAR ON TOP.
NO.
NO.
NO.
NO.
NO.
NO.
IT REALLY IS TOO DANGEROUS TO GO
UP THERE WITH THE ANTENNAS
ACTIVE.
>> Narrator: HEY, GUYS, MAYBE
THE WARNINGS SIGNS STRUNG UP ALL
OVER THE SITE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A
CLUE.
SO, DOES GENE THINK THE TV-TOWER
COOKING METHOD WOULD HAVE EVEN
WORKED?
>> MICROWAVE TRANSMITTERS AT THE
STATIONS WE USE ARE VERY LOW
POWER.
THEY'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF A
COUPLE OF WATTS, AS OPPOSED TO A
MICROWAVE OVEN, WHICH IS 700,
800, EVEN UP TO 1,200 WATTS OF
POWER, PLUS, IT'S VERY CONFINED.
>> Narrator: LOOKS LIKE THIS
MYTH MAY BE PLUCKED.
SO NOW WHAT?
>> I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE TO
RESORT TO ANOTHER PLAN.
>> OKAY.
>> Narrator: ANOTHER PLAN?
NOW, THAT'S A PLAN.
HOW ABOUT A BROADCAST NEWS VAN?
>> YOU GONNA LET US TRY TO COOK
A TURKEY ON TOP OF YOUR VAN?
>> YEAH, SURE. WHY NOT?
THAT'S HOW I WARM UP MY COFFEE.
>> Narrator: ENG VANS USE
MICROWAVE SIGNALS TO SEND IMAGES
ON LOCATION BACK TO THE STUDIO.
VIDEO JOURNALIST YOLI SHOWS
TORY HOW THE BEAM IS SENT OUT.
>> IT GETS BOUNCED OFF OF HERE.
>> SO THE BEAM IS ACTUALLY BEING
SHOT OUT OF HERE, AND THEN IT
SENDS IT OUT?
>> UH-HUH.
>> OKAY.
>> Narrator: TORY PUTS A BIRD
FRESH FROM THE REFRIGERATOR ON
ITS MARK...
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> Narrator: ...AND CHECKS ITS
TEMPERATURE.
>> WE ARE LOOKING AT 40 DEGREES
FAHRENHEIT.
>> Narrator: THEN THE DISH IS
RAISED TO THE SKY, AND IT'S
TIME TO GO LIVE.
>> WE'RE GONNA LET IT ROAST FOR
AN HOUR, RIGHT?
>> ONE HOUR.
>> OKAY, JUST TELL ME WHEN.
>> OKAY, 3...2...1.
[ BEEPS ]
>> Narrator: TURKEY DOESN'T HAVE
MUCH TO SAY.
HE MAY NOT HAVE THE RIGHT
PERSONALITY FOR TELEVISION.
>> THIS SHOULD WORK.
>> YEAH.
>> IT'S IN THE RIGHT FREQUENCY
RANGE AND IT'S ABOUT THE RIGHT
POWER.
>> OKAY.
>> IT'S JUST THE BEAM'S SO TINY,
IT MAY ONLY BE HEATING A SMALL
PORTION.
>> SO, IT'S JUST GONNA COOK A
LITTLE SECTION.
>> YEAH.
>> Narrator: AFTER AN HOUR OF
AIRTIME, IT'S TIME TO SEE HOW
MUCH HE HEATED UP.
>> ALL RIGHT, ONE HOUR, IT HAS
GONE UP TO 60 DEGREES.
>> Narrator: HIS TEMPERATURE
ROSE TWENTY DEGREES, BUT THAT
WAS ONLY FROM STANDING IN THE
HOT SUN.
>> MAYBE WE JUST NEED SOMETHING
BIGGER.
>> YEAH. THAT'S POSSIBLE.
>> [ SQUAWKING ]
>> Narrator: SO IT'S ALL ABOARD
THE S.S. JEREMIAH O'BRIEN, A
WORLD WAR II CARGO SHIP, TO
UNLEASH THE BIG GUNS.
>> AHOY.
>> WELCOME ABOARD.
I'M PAT MALONEY.
>> KARI.
>> HOW YOU DOING? I'M TORY.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> STEADY.
>> STEADY ON THERE!
>> I DON'T HAVE MY SEA LEGS YET.
>> Narrator: CAPTAIN MALONEY IS
LETTING OUR MYTHBUSTER
LANDLUBBERS TRY TO FRY ON THE
SHIP'S RADAR.
RADARS ARE ANOTHER DEVICE THAT
EMIT ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION.
>> SO, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE
MYTH THAT YOU CAN COOK YOUR
TURKEY ON THE RADAR OF YOUR
SHIP?
>> I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT COOKING
TURKEYS.
THERE'S RISK OF STERILIZATION.
>> Narrator: PUTTING HIS
FERTILITY FEARS ASIDE, TORY
SECURES THE BIRD TO THE ANTENNAE
SO IT DOESN'T FLY OFF.
>> THAT SHOULD HOLD.
>> GOOD, BECAUSE I GOT VERTIGO
WATCHING YOU BE UP THERE.
>> Narrator: BEFORE THEY BEGIN,
THEY TAKE THE TURKEY'S
TEMPERATURE.
>> IT'S DOWN TO 50 DEGREES.
>> WHAT WE'VE GOT IS 50 DEGREES
FAHRENHEIT.
NOW, THE FDA SAYS THAT YOU NEED
AT LEAST 180 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT
FOR IT TO BE SAFE TO EAT, SO
THAT'S OUR TARGET.
>> LET'S GO.
>> Narrator: CLEAR THE DECKS.
IT'S TIME TO BEAM UP.
>> I NEED WARP SPEED IN FIVE
MINUTES, OR WE'RE ALL DEAD.
I CAN'T DO IT!
>> I CAN'T DO IT, CAPTAIN!
>> Narrator: CAPTAIN MALONEY
FIRES UP THE RADAR...
>> OKAY, WE'RE TRANSMITTING.
>> Narrator: ...AND OUR TURKEY
SOARS LIKE AN EAGLE.
>> WHOA!
>> THAT'S KIND OF FASTER THAN I
THOUGHT.
>> THAT THING'S SPINNING PRETTY
FAST.
>> THAT IS SO FUNNY LOOKING!
>> SHOULD WE ALL BE WEARING OUR
LEAD APRONS?
>> Narrator: IT LOOKS
BIRD-BRAINED, BY THE WAVES
PASSING THROUGH THE TURKEY MIGHT
BE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO COOK ITS
GOOSE.
>> I THINK THAT STEEL PLATE IN
MY HEAD'S STARTING TO WARM UP.
>> Narrator: OUR RADAR SPIT
ROAST IS ATTRACTING A LOT OF
ATTENTION.
I SURE HOPE THAT'S NOT THE COAST
GUARD.
AND THE SEA AIR IS MAKING TORY
FEEL LIKE KING OF THE WORLD.
>> REMEMBER THAT SCENE IN
"TITANIC"?
WHEN THEY'RE, LIKE, SITTING ON
THE...SHIP LOOKING OUT AT SEA?
>> WITH A TURKEY?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A
TURKEY IN THAT MOVIE.
>> Narrator: THE TURKEY'S BEEN
SPINNING FOR AN HOUR, PLENTY OF
TIME FOR OUR CAMERAPERSON TO GET
ALL ARTISTIC AND FOR OUR BIRD TO
GET NICE AND TOASTY.
>> I'M READY FOR A HOT TURKEY
SANDWICH.
>> Narrator: SO, HOW HOT DID IT
GET ON THE INSIDE?
>> OH, THIS IS LOOKING RIPE.
>> "RIPE" AS IN "COOKED" OR
"RIPE" AS IN...
>> "RIPE" AS IN "NASTY."
>> WHAT DO WE GOT?
>> ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
>> WHAT IS IT?
>> THE TEMPERATURE WENT DOWN.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> ONLY ON "MYTHBUSTERS."
>> IT'S 45 DEGREES.
>> Narrator: THE TURKEY IS
COLDER THAN IT WAS BEFORE IT
WENT UP.
>> MAYBE YOU HIT A GIBLET.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
>> 47 DEGREES.
>> THE WIND CHILL IS ACTUALLY
MAKING THIS TURKEY COLDER.
>> Narrator: A RADAR AND
BROADCAST DISH ARE BIGGER THAN A
MICROWAVE, BUT THEY DON'T PUT
OUT THE RIGHT WAVELENGTHS TO
BURN A BIRD.
ALSO, THERE'S NO CONFINED SPACE
TO KEEP THE ENERGY IN.
>> THIS ONE'S DEFINITELY BUSTED.
>> YEAH. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED
AFTER AN HOUR OF EXPOSURE TO THE
RADAR THAT WE WOULD GET AT LEAST
A LITTLE INCREASE ON THE INSIDE.
WE'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING.
I THINK IT'S BUSTED.
>> IT'S ACTUALLY WORKING BETTER
AS A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM THAN
ACTUALLY COOKING THE TURKEY.
>> GREAT. BUSTED.
CUT HER DOWN.
>> Narrator: THE MYTH'S DONE,
BUT NOT THE TURKEY.
>> NICE CATCH.
>> Narrator: FOR A LITTLE FUN
AND TO RELEASE SOME FRUSTRATION,
TORY HAS PREPARED A BIRD WITH
HIS OWN RECIPE WE CANNOT REVEAL.
>> THIS IS "MYTHBUSTERS," AND WE
HAVEN'T HAD AN EXPLOSION.
SO I'VE MIXED UP A LITTLE
SPECIAL STUFFING.
AND HOPEFULLY, WITH THIS TURKEY,
WE'LL GET SOME RESULTS.
>> WOULDN'T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT
AN EXPLOSION.
>> Narrator: HE PLACES IT IN THE
MICROWAVE.
THEY SEAL IT UP TO LOCK IN ALL
ITS GOODNESS...
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> AH, RUN.
>> Narrator: ...AND THE WHOLE
TEAM WAITS IN HUNGRY
ANTICIPATION.
>> STAND BEHIND HERE.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA
HAPPEN.
>> Narrator: IN NO TIME AT ALL,
THE TURKEY IS DONE.
>> WHOA!
YEAH!
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> Narrator: FINALLY, DINNER IS
SERVED, MYTHBUSTERS-STYLE.
HOW ABOUT A SECOND HELPING?
>> OH!
>> LOOK, THE LEG CAME OFF!
>> OHH!
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, YOU GUYS.
>> THAT IS THE MOST DISGUSTING
TURKEY I'VE EVER SEEN.
>> MMM!
LET'S EAT.
>> Narrator: IT'S BEEN A
SWEEPING 6-WEEK CHALLENGE TO
FIND THE BEST MYTHICAL REMEDY TO
KEEP YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE LOOKING
LOVELY FOR LONGER.
THE FALLOUT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY
COLLATED AND COUNTED, AND IT'S
TIME TO REVEAL THE WINNER.
>> IT'S BEEN SIX WEEKS SINCE
WE STARTED THIS NEEDLE-DROP
EXPERIMENT, AND I HAVE TO SAY I
THINK THESE RESULTS ARE REALLY
SURPRISING.
>> DEFINITELY.
>> I MEAN, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE
FERTILIZER IS PROBABLY THE WORST
REMEDY TO KEEPING NEEDLES ON A
TREE.
>> YEAH, I WOULD NEVER HAVE
GUESSED THAT.
>> AND IT WAS ONLY A 5% MIXTURE
TO THE WATER, BUT IT LOST FOUR
TIMES AS MANY NEEDLES AS THE
CONTROL.
I MEAN, THERE'S A BUCKET FILLED
WITH NEEDLES.
WE COULDN'T EVEN GET THEM ALL IN
OUR TUBE.
>> MORE INTERESTING TO ME IS THE
FACT THAT EVERY OTHER TREATMENT
THAT WE TRIED DID BETTER THAN
JUST WATER ALONE IN THE CONTROL.
>> AND YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE IS
SURPRISING?
THE BLEACH AND THE SANTA'S
LITTLE HELPER -- THEY LOST THE
LEAST AMOUNT OF NEEDLES.
>> YEAH, BUT I THINK THIS MYTH
SHOULD ALSO BE ABOUT AESTHETICS,
AS WELL, AND WHILE THE BLEACH
KEPT A LOT OF NEEDLES ON THE
TREE, IT TURNED IT A REALLY
FUNNY COLOR.
>> SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER -- SAME
THING.
RETAINED THE MOST AMOUNT OF
NEEDLES, BUT IT LOOKED REALLY,
REALLY SICKLY IN THE END.
>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE NEED TO
FIND A WINNER, SO WE'RE GONNA
HAVE TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN
THE NEEDLES THAT FALL OFF AND
THE WAY THE TREE LOOKS LIKE
AFTER THE SIX WEEKS IS UP.
>> OKAY, WELL, THAT WINNER IS
DEFINITELY HAIR SPRAY.
IT KEPT A LOT OF NEEDLES ON THE
TREE, AND AT THE END OF THE SIX
WEEKS, IT STILL LOOKED REALLY
NICE.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO WE'RE GONNA BE
USING HAIR SPRAY FROM HERE ON
IN.
>> MAYBE YOU WILL.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A FIRE
HAZARD INVOLVED WITH USING
HAIR SPRAY ON A DRY CHRISTMAS
TREE.
JUST ME.
>> AND THAT'S A PROBLEM?
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> AROUND YOU? YEAH.
>> Narrator: ALL JAMIE AND ADAM
WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS FOR THEIR
SODA-AND-MENTOS-POWERED
RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE TO WORK
ALL THE WAY THROUGH, JUST ONCE.
>> WHY IS HE STUCK?
HE'S NEVER GOTTEN STUCK BEFORE
IN HIS LIFE!
>> Narrator: UNTIL NOW, THERE'S
BEEN LITTLE JOY.
>> [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: BUT THIS IS THE
SEASON FOR MIRACLES.
>> NICE ONE.
>> THERE IT GOES.
[ CHUCKLES ]
WE'RE GOOD.
OH, THAT'S GOOD.
THAT'S LOOKING HAPPY.
THERE GOES THE SKIERS!
THERE IT GOES!
IT'S GOING! IT'S GOING!
IT'S GOING!
COME ON, BABY!
YES!
MENTOS GOING.
MENTOS GOING.
OH, IT'S VERY SMOOTH.
COME ON.
WHOA! HEY!
THERE IT IS.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> COME ON, BABY.
THAT'S IT.
GETTING HOT.
THERE IT GOES!
YES!
YES!
COME ON, BABY.
COME ON! COME ON!
[ LAUGHS ]
COME ON, ROBOT.
FIND YOUR HOME.
YOUR HOME IS THERE.
THAT'S IT!
OH, YES!
GET READY FOR THE ***.
THE MONKEYS ARE GOING!
[ LAUGHS ]
>> GOING FAST.
>> COME ON!
YEAH!
[ LAUGHS ]
>> Narrator: HERE'S HOPING YOU
LIKE YOUR GIFT AND HAVE A HOLLY,
JOLLY HOLIDAY SEASON.
>> [ LAUGHS ]