Brainiac: Science Abuse
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Brainiac: Science Abuse is a television programme showing in the UK on Sky One (and repeated on Sky Mix). The presenters are Jon Tickle (formerly of Big Brother) and Richard Hammond (from Top Gear).
The programme's premise is that they perform stupid scientific experiments "so you don't have to". This includes such activities as:
- Stuff you shouldn't put in a microwave oven. (No, really. Don't)
- Walking across a swimming-pool full of custard
- Which breasts float best, natural or silicone-enhanced?
- Does being happy enhance your mental performance?
- Investigating the propulsive possibilities of CO2 Fire extinguishers
- What items in an office work best as flotation aids in the event of a sudden flood?
- Blowing up pretty much anything - but preferably caravans
- Things Jon Tickle's body can't do.
- Things you can't do while being electrocuted.
The new series started at the end of August 2004 and now includes an interactive element where you can win a chance to blow something up as well as "I can do science, me" where viewers are encouraged to send in ideas for experiments. The first show in the series had: what happens when you put soap in a microwave, can you cook an egg with a hundred mobile phones and is it better to be tall or small walking in London?
Also in the second series, the program has acquired a number of scantily-clad, buxom women who add to the laddish atmosphere of the program by displaying a lot of bare flesh and blowing things up.
A sister programme, Brainiac: History Abuse, presented by Charlotte Hudson, began on Sky One on 1 June 2005.