Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–2008) User Reviews

Its fun, frivolous, but there is some science in it....

[johnbirch-1 · 7/10 · 27 August 2006]

I suspect from other reviews that some overseas viewers are not seeing the full show which (with ads) runs to an hour in the UK, not half-an-hour.

Yes there is some silly stuff. Indeed some really stupid and utterly pointless stuff. But buried in there are the occasional titbits of real science - generally science of the more pyrotechnic variety, but nonetheless it is there. They do often explain why the bang happens, for example! A rip off of Mythbusters? No. Brainiac aired in the UK before the latter show arrived. Actually its rather more clearly a development from Richard Hammond's other show - BBC's Top Gear - which frequently includes utterly pointless and silly items, like - well - playing conkers with caravans and seeing how much damage a Toyota pick-up truck could take before it died. Such items would not be out of place on Brainiac.

The great thing about it is that it makes science fun and accessible - even cool. Which is no bad thing.

Good show!

[antguy14 · 7/10 · 1 July 2020]

It's not my personal favourite, but it still is a good show! I recommend it for those interested in science but want a fun way to experience it! This is the show for you!

Spoiled by dishonesty

[karn · 29 December 2009]

I'm an American, and to my knowledge this show hasn't yet made it to US TV so I can't actually review it. I've only seen their now infamous clip on alkali metals.

Last night I saw the Mythbusters demonstrate that Brainiac faked their spectacular explosions with rubidium and cesium metal. I have to say that I'm more than a little dismayed. Like many people, I'd been taken. I remember thinking that the rubidium and cesium explosions seemed well out of proportion to the much less violent lithium, sodium and potassium reactions. But hydrogen/air/heat mixtures are highly unpredictable, and besides who can argue with empirical evidence?

Lying just isn't cool, even (especially) in the cause of science education. There's no greater sin in science and engineering than faking a demo.

Now I fully understand that "Brainiac: Science Abuse" is more about entertainment than science, and some forms of entertainment such as magic rely entirely on deception. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as you label it as such.

But just as the occasional magician crosses the line when he claims real supernatural powers, so does an show like Brainiac when it claims to be doing real science experiments.

Now if I ever do get to watch this show, I'll be too busy continually wondering if what I'm seeing is real or fake to enjoy it. It will certainly ruin whatever educational value it might have had.

Shame on you guys.

Wow the dedication is apparent!! Science ROCKS.

[tankace · 9/10 · 1 July 2016]

Brainiac was on the air from 2003 to 2008 and it gave me a lot of laughs, for it is absurdly funny and generally entertaining for it fused two things they are usually thought to be universes apart, science and fun. No , definitely no those concepts can exist at the same time it needs to be done right and here they score 11/ 10. Also for the male viewers are some very beautiful women around. ;)

The first four seasons are comedic gold .It is every nerd wet dream for a television series with experiments, test, some gorgeous girls ,because why not? .Also you have some extremely interesting philosophical question been thrown at any episode to make the audience think! That was unheard in the early two thousands, for back then the weren't series like Big Bang Theory(1), Lie to me(2), Criminal Minds(3) and Avatar(4). For those series' creators see the audience and say: "I want to make them learn something during the run time for the episode" weather that is a scientific fact (1),a way to find out lies(2), get detective skills(3) or a whole way of thinking(4).

Now to the final two seasons where the main hosts left. Thet were good, but lacked the comedic timing and they didn't give any emphases to the question part ,but still their energy and dedications make you come for more. Sandly they couldn't stop the series from losing steam and with the gangs, girls,science ,and even the flagship of the series the experiments themselves going old ,it was the end and the series was canceled.

In this point is were I say that was a pity and it should continue, but not in this time for it series run its course and ended in at least a decent level and didn't became a zombie like Family Guy , Two and a half men and even one of my favorites Bones! So let us all remember this series for that opening in the big screen (if you haven't see it do it now).

Funniest Science Show Ever

[Izak86 · 10/10 · 17 January 2008]

I started watching Brainiac from its second series and it is the funniest science show I've ever seen.

Okay, the main attraction to the show may be the massive explosions but deep within, there are lots of interesting experiments that make you remark "Wow, I don't know that!" From electrocuting celebrities, blowing caravans up to Jon Tickle walking on custard, Brainiac has the wackiest and funniest experiments ever seen on TV, a true masterpiece.

Two spin-off shows have also been produced: 'Brainiac: History Abuse' and 'Brainiac Test Tube Baby'. While 'History Abuse' was a little hit and miss, 'Test Tube Baby' was live and as funny as the main show. Sadly though both have only run for one series.

Lacking Science

[minorxml · 3/10 · 19 December 2010]

It is rather dumb! Compared to the obvious other show it is compared to Mythbusters it lacks a scientific basis. Also really tits and explosions.. so what?

Then again if you are coming from your boring job, just been through bad traffic and the neighbours freaking dog can't stop barking. Yeah I see the position of this kind of television show. It is for when you want to switch of your brains :)

Hell there are whole themed television channels where you can simple switch off your thinking, drink beer and be entertained.

Now what I miss is the sticking factor. I mean really with brainiac you can only say "Hey seen that explosion on Brainiac" and what do you get back "What of the 10?"

Some might feel hurt by what I am saying now but it is moronic. I remember that after a good Mythbusters and during I and the ones I life with actually talk about how we would do it? How we can see a thing to work, very interactive!

You know that is why it gets a 3, it is entertainment and it works. But you simply forget it exists! It doesn't leaves anything behind! There is no sticking power no deeper thoughts. 3 out of 10 it is!

Really good and funny too!

[melvin-relf · 10/10 · 17 August 2007]

I haven't watched the film yet, but I watch the series on the telly and I think it is a brilliant show! They combine fun and education in to the show which makes me laugh so much!! If you haven't watched it before, I recommend you to. It is fantastic! They do things like blowing up stuff. In the third series, they do a thing called 'Break or Bounce', and Prof. Myang Lee drops the items. I would just like to say she is absolutely stunning and has a great figure! I kind of fancy her a bit! And her boobs are really nice! Wait till you see them! They are eye-poppingly brilliant! If anyone sees her on the street, can you please tell her from me that she is really beautiful and is one of the main reasons I watch the show every day! Thanks to whoever says it to her. Who else thinks she is stunning? Write a comment back to me telling me what you think of her. I would also like to say that I think she should go on Page3 for the lads! What do you think? I'd love her to be standing in front of me naked right now because I bet her fanny is as nice as her tits! Who else wants to see her naked? Please write back to me saying what you think!

too painful

[wooxr_pt · 2/10 · 9 June 2010]

this show is by far the worse i've ever seen. it tries to be a show of entertainment mixed with science but in fact it isn't entertaining at all because the ''acting'' is just too bad, the things they show are pretty common, the scientific method is nonexistent, and the science itself is ridiculed, even the explosions aren't funny on this show and that's quite an achievement because explosions are always a lot of fun. the brainiacs are picked i don't know how but they get ridiculed on TV to prove nothing at all and the things that the show talk about are completely random and completely useless. it's a complete waste of time and believe in me when i say that you are probably better off.

Magic

[simonp101 · 28 March 2005]

This is a film for everybody in the UK to watch. If you are into stupidly funny things, then this is easily your cup-of-tea. Brainiac is basically like a school science lesson, but with all the boring stuff taken out, and leaving in all the explosives etc. If you are a critical science person, or enjoy science in school, sorry if that offended you :) Anyway, Brainiac is a must see for everybody. Blowing up Caravans, Microwaves, Shocking people, and making random experiments like a vegetable launching mortar and a company-sized bottle rocket is not out of the norm for these people. I myself rate Brainiac to be THE best TV Series on Sky One. 9/10, superb!

Old Science

[Adam-09265 · 5/10 · 26 November 2020]

It was great to watch as a kid in the noughties but most of the "Science Facts" have been proven wrong over the past 15 years. The show is more than dead now. Even the "Things that make you go hmmm" segment is easily explainable now thanks to quick easy internet.

If Dave Barry had a science show, this would be it!

[lemon_magic · 2 October 2005]

Welcome to "Braniac", the show that lights the fuse to the explosives and runs like hell.

People keep comparing this show to the American show "Mythbusters", and I can see the resemblance, but really, these are two different shows with two different philosophies. "Mythbusters" is an hour-long show that takes one or two "urban myths" and (within its own self defined boundaries), actually investigates them and puts some effort into simulating the conditions in question.

"Braniac" is a half hour hodge-podge where various harmless nerds screw around with chemicals, microwaves, CO2 extinguishers and caravans to kill time in an amusing way. The real charm of the show is that it doesn't take itself at all seriously; the 'experiments' are usually complete rubbish, and their real point is to mock and lampoon the pseudo-significant posturings of many more pretentious shows that would like their posturings to be regarded as High Art.

And "Braniac" never fails to have at least one very amusing or striking happening in a given episode (like the time they had a "Challenger" tank fire an HE shell at a 1 ton safe to retrieve the 200 pounds in currency that the safe-makers had locked inside.) (The safe was essentially vaporized, and so, of course, was the money.)

Or to put it another way: While "Mythbusters" is light-hearted and pleasantly goofy (and I quite enjoy it), "Braniac" is just plain giddy on its own silliness. The resulting show is a nice little 'meringue' treat (I believe the Brits would call it a 'trifle') of a TV show, a diverting bit of whimsy where you get to see Caravans blown sky high and grown men walking on a pool full of custard. It's definitely NOT for every one, especially not people who don't care for whimsy and British humor, but people who like this sort of thing will like this a LOT. I certainly do.

Incredibly stupid and incredible funny!

[MovieManiac2005 · 13 March 2005]

Every Wednesday/ Thursday evening on SkyOne, i sit down to watch Brainiac. Most of the experiments are plainly insane, and usually don't have a cat's chance in hell of working, but each individual "experiment" has it's own way to make you laugh. They also plonk in excellent brainteasers and funny facts to keep you laughing every time. I hope this is a show that will last a loooooooong time! Many weekly features are several 'Tickles Teasers' presented by brainiac John Tickle. Also, people from all over the world e-mail wacky experiments, and few of the experiments get picked, and the writers come to some warehouse place to do the experiment themselves! My sister especially enjoys the frequent exploding of caravans. this show is always well presented, and it gets a whopping 10/10 from me!

Laughable, but incredibly stupid

[morfeus · 19 February 2005]

Well, I guess that "Braniac" is very stupid, but not a bad show at all. With a microscopic element of science and some British humor it created a decent Friday night entertainment. Since the creators and cast don't even try to take the show seriously, it can't be called hypocritical, and it sure as hell beats pseudo-social shows discussing "important social issues". Some episodes are just unforgettable! This Tina Turner thing is hilarious, and God, I love the nurse:) However, there is a small drawback. They never seem to credit the girls properly, and what's the deal with their website? Still, those small problems cannot rob the show it's charm. Overall rating: 7/10 so far! Keep it up!

Fake results

[marekmadejski · 7 June 2020]

The results of one of the experiments were forged (the one with alkali metals). The crew admitted that. I wonder how many more were forged, and they got away with that. Even without forged results, scientific methodology (replication, statistical significance testing) simply doesn't exist in the show.

"Science abuse" indeed.