TV Show

Brainiac: Science Abuse

Brainiac is The Alternative science series that shows you the experiments you were never allowed to do in school. Richard Hammond aims to answer the scientific questions that have been bothering us all such as what you shouldn't put in a microwave and Do mobile phones really cause explosions in petrol stations.

TV Show Stats +8%

6 seasons

59 episodes total

Status

Ended

First Aired

2003

Rating

TV Show

6.8/10

39 votes • HD

Season 1

6 episodes
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Episode 1
Episode 1

Episode 1

Episode 1 • Nov 13, 2003

Can high explosives make your donner kebab taste the business. Can safety equipment really protect your body from attack. Can we turn a mobile phone into a time bomb. Brainiac boffin Jon Tickle finds out whether eating bagels can make you fail a drug test. Is staring at a woman’s breasts for 30 minute the equivalent of a 30 minute workout. What will make a man run faster – greed or fear? We travel to Swindon to experiment with Mexican waves. Is it better to be Fat or Thin in a sinking ship? We try to break open a safe by dropping it from a great height. Does laughing gas really make everything funny.

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Episode 2
Episode 2

Episode 2

Episode 2 • Nov 20, 2003

How to make perfect toast - the lazy man’s way. NASA eat your heart out, we join the space race with shopping trollies. We ask which food produces the smelliest fart. Can Brainiac Boffin Jon Tickle walk on custard. Brainiacs play golf to test the laws of probability. If you’ve got something important the next day, is it better to be tired or wired. Jon Tickle launches his office rocket. We find out if pheromone spray works on our lovely Julie. Three firemen tackle our safe. And Fat v Thin continues.

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Episode 3
Episode 3

Episode 3

Episode 3 • Nov 27, 2003

Can we accelerate as fast as a jet on a kiddies roundabout. Smash and grab – can a stock car team crack one of the world’s toughest safes. Would you bet your teeth on the laws of science. Resident Brainiac Boffin Jon Tickle takes to the water. How much weight can you lose by having a dump. Making chips – the lazy man’s way. Does a duck’s quack echo. How many times can you fold a piece of paper in half. Which commonly used household oil is the most dangerous. Why are you lighter on a morning than when you go to bed. We test subliminal advertising. And Fat v Thin continues.

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Episode 4
Episode 4

Episode 4

Episode 4 • Dec 04, 2003

High voltage hi-jinks – our team of brainiacs gets to grips with electricity. We scientifically measure how much better looking women become after a couple of pints. Crackpot scientist Dr. Bunhead meddles with liquid oxygen. Tossing a salad, the lazy man’s way. We find out what goes on inside your stomach. After trying our carbon dioxide vehicles on land and water, now we try the sky. Does it cost less to send a parcel if it’s filled with helium balloons. What is the largest paper plane that will actually fly. Does a tooth dissolve if it’s left in a glass of cola overnight. Can you learn while you sleep. Former specialised debt collector Dave Courtney tackles our safe. And Fat v Thin continues.

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Episode 5
Episode 5

Episode 5

Episode 5 • Dec 11, 2003

Ginger whingers – are redheads more sensitive to pain than brunettes. Taking down their particulars – is a job interview easier if the panel are naked. Indestructible objects – are they, really. Brainiac Boffin Jon Tickle really pushes his luck. Dog Whistles – If we can’t hear them, how do we know they work. If sports drinks get into your body faster, can they get out again quicker. After eating a kebab which drink is best to cool your mouth. Can you see the stars during the day if you’re at the bottom of a well. Modern art, the lazy man’s way. Explosives experts tackle the safe. And Fat v Thin continues.

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Episode 6
Episode 6

Episode 6

Episode 6 • Dec 18, 2003

Which bomb produces the biggest splash. What happens when you mix up gardening with high explosives. How much weight can resident Brainiac Boffin Jon Tickle lose in just 4 hours. Through plans on the internet, you can build your own personal hovercraft. ESP is put to the test with a pair of twins. Which roll of tape in your kitchen drawer is the stickiest. Can a water cooler get down for speeding. Can we stretch our shortest brainiac enough to get him on a rollercoaster. Does high performance equipment result in a high performance performance. The British Army take on the safe. And Fat v Thin concludes.

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Season 2

13 episodes
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Episode 1
Episode 1

Episode 1

Episode 1 • Sep 02, 2004

Richard Hammond chucks televisions out of a moving van in the search to find the world's most protective packaging. Brainiac boffin Jon Tickle gets caught up in DIY quicksand. Will 100 muskets and a cannon be enough to destroy a black box flight recorder? What happens when you add the world's most dangerous metals to water? Is it better to be tall or small in rush hour? More things NOT to put in your microwave. Which is the world's hottest sauce? Can you boil an egg with 100 mobile phones? And can you stop rock and roll with the help of a crane and a caravan? And Brainiac goes interactive - giving you the chance to vote and win a day out with high explosives.

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Episode 2
Episode 2

Episode 2

Episode 2 • Sep 09, 2004

Can a noise frequency make you poo your pants? What happens when you od on 02? Can you serve wine whilst being electrocuted?5 top Brainiac tips to help you beat the slot machines Will a Napalm attack destroy a black box flight recorder? Who will win in race between a slug, a snail and a tortoise? What to do if you're caught unawares by global warmingDoes being tickled create a pant wetting experience? More things not to put in your microwave Do tight pants make you go faster? Plus Tina Turner and her Bunsen burner and Brainiac gives you the chance to win a starring role on the final show of the series

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Episode 3
Episode 3

Episode 3

Episode 3 • Sep 16, 2004

Richard Hammond finds out whether or not you can you really smell fear? We put more things we shouldn't inside a microwave oven. We make snooker interesting with the help of Quintin Hann, 6 caravans and some propane gas. Is it possible to drink lager whilst being electrocuted? Can an increase in testosterone make a wimp well 'ard. Status Quo put the rock and roll into acoustic science. We check out more things Jon Tickle's body can't do. Charlotte Hudson is on hand to help a member of the public ' do science'. The Homer Simpson of science Dr Bunhead takes his lab to the local - and gets barred! And your chance to vote and win a starring role on Brainiac with Explosive of the week.

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Episode 4
Episode 4

Episode 4

Episode 4 • Sep 23, 2004

Richard Hammond puts DIY parachutes to the test. We find out if it's possible to go on a romantic dinner date whilst being electrocuted? Does getting scared make you stronger? The cheeky girls pay a visit to the Brainiac lab. Tina Turner and her bunsen burner are back with a bang. Jon Tickle takes the p out of science and drinks it. We try and stop rock and roll with the help of a chainsaw. Plus your chance to vote and win a starring role on the final show of the series as Brainiac goes interactive with explosive of the week.

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Episode 5
Episode 5

Episode 5

Episode 5 • Sep 30, 2004

Which is faster - a motorbike, a golf ball, or a firework? Brainiac boffin Jon Tickle goes undercover with X-Ray specs. Vacuum cleaning - does it really suck? Brainiacs get sloshed checking out hangover cures. We do more bad things with a microwave oven. Tina Turner and her Bunsen burner are back with another big bang. It's slime time for Dr Bunhead! And a bunch of toffs take on our black box flight recorder.

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Episode 6
Episode 6

Episode 6

Episode 6 • Oct 07, 2004

What's the best way to drive when you're running on empty? Jon Tickle uses science to pick a date for the evening. More microwave meals cooked Brainiac style. What's the fastest way to get ketchup out a bottle? NEW FEATURE: The Appliance of Science! Tina Turner takes time out from recording her new album to blow something up. Pins and needles - We check out Brainiacupuncture!

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Season 3

9 episodes
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Episode 1
Episode 1

Episode 1

Episode 1 • Aug 25, 2005

Can you swim as fast through syrup as you can through water. We check wind speed down at the lab. We find out why you shouldn’t muck around with lawnmowers. Electricity goes on tour. What is Britain’s stickiest fixer. Can you open an umbrella underwater. Do clever people have heavier heads. Is it possible to get drunk without drinking. And carefully does it – by popular demand, we’ve tracked down the most dangerous chemical yet – stand by for Thermite.

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Episode 2
Episode 2

Episode 2

Episode 2 • Sep 01, 2005

Pants or tights – which is the best DIY bungee. Can you play fruit machines for free. We inflict more suffering down at the lab. Stand well back, we put more stuff in a microwave and more caravans into orbit. What is the best way to get rid of stinky breath. Which is the scariest ride at the funfair. What’s the best food to use in a food fight. What’s the best alternative hair removal product. Lad v Lass tests which is better when remembering things about people.

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Episode 3
Episode 3

Episode 3

Episode 3 • Sep 08, 2005

Bunging things in microwaves, stuffing your face full of chocolate and chucking dry food down your neck. Also, we throw brainiacs around to make them throw up. We inflict more mindless destruction on innocent caravans. Is the anything you can do the night before to prevent you getting a hangover the next day. Lad v Lass discovers which is better at telling colours apart.

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Episode 4
Episode 4

Episode 4

Episode 4 • Sep 15, 2005

We race against high explosives. We show you why you shouldn’t put dynamite in your microwave. We tell you how to win on the fairground grabber. Jon Tickle puts his foot down in garlic. What happens if you suck in helium then blow into a wind instrument. Which is the best way to eat peas. How far will a pencil write. Which is Britain’s slidiest food. Men vs Women - who spends the longer in the toilet. Lad v Lass discovers which is better in a staring contest.

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Episode 5
Episode 5

Episode 5

Episode 5 • Sep 22, 2005

We take on the world’s best at darts – Brainiac style. Testing to destruction – microwaves and washing machines. Answering the big ones down at the warehouse. Burning through our cash with the help of Thermite. Quiet please – more splintering caravans on the 18th green. Is it possible to do a 360 on a swing. Which is Britain’s stickiest spread. Does dipping somebody’s hand in warm water while asleep make them wet themselves. Can you lose weight in a lift. Which is Britain’s noisiest food. Top tips for winning at laser games. Which is the fastest fast food. Blondes have more fun – do they. Lad v Lass discovers which is it best to be in identifying smells.

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Episode 6
Episode 6

Episode 6

Episode 6 • Oct 06, 2005

What not to grab if you jump out of a building. Not for the faint hearted – experiments on roller coasters. Getting down to the big questions down at the lab. What is Britain’s stretchiest food. We perform an eggsperiment on Brainiac Joe. How permanent is a permanent marker. What is the quickest way to send a text. Going on a picnic – how to tell it’s not going to rain. Does eating floaty foods produce floaty poo. Can the carbon dioxide wheelchair win in a race. Cutting up onions – what should you do if you don’t want to blub in the kitchen. Lad v Lass discovers which is better at remembering.

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Season 4

9 episodes
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Episode 1
Episode 1

Episode 1

Episode 1 • Jul 16, 2006

In the return of a new series former MP Neil Hamilton goes in the electric chair, there's a search for the UK's fizziest drink, which is Britain’s loudest bang, which food stuff makes the best DIY shaving cream, a lucky viewer becomes Brainiac for a day, a Hollywood star pays a visit to the Brainiac lot, how many 360 degree turns can you do without falling over, Dr. Bunhead is at a service station near you, and get ready for the world series of Brainiac darts.

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Episode 2
Episode 2

Episode 2

Episode 2 • Jul 23, 2006

Jon Tickle explores the colour of belly button fluff, what is the squirtiest food, the gunpowder is back to race humans, what happens when you depth charge an aquarium, Debbie McGee takes on the electric chair, who’s better - left handers or right handers, what’s the best word for a smiley photo and we kiss goodbye to another caravan.

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Episode 3
Episode 3

Episode 3

Episode 3 • Jul 30, 2006

How many helium balloons can it take to lift a human, what is Britain's stainiest food, Brainiac for a day blows up some melons, another Hollywood star pays us a visit, what is the best way to get rid of stress, can you eat upside-down, can you locate water by dowsing, Oliver Skeete faces the electric chair and we send more caravans into orbit.

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Episode 4
Episode 4

Episode 4

Episode 4 • Aug 06, 2006

The entertaining science show engages in more experiments with the main features in this episode being: Testing out the a variety of substances to determine the most itchiest, Can you run through wallpaper?, The search for the strongest bat, Finding out which food gives off the longest lasting smell and finding out if helium makes a stereo sound squeaky. More Microwaves and Caravans go boom and Derek Achorah is the celebrity on helium.

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Episode 5
Episode 5

Episode 5

Episode 5 • Aug 13, 2006

In tonight's episode of Brainiac, we are taken through a variety of experiments including: The best way to pee in a public bathroom, The most effective way to get rid of a stitch and how many strands of spaghetti can you break with your bare hands.

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Episode 6
Episode 6

Episode 6

Episode 6 • Aug 20, 2006

Can a shopping trolley break the speed limit, Jeremy Spake trys out the electric chair, what is Britain’s best DIY sneeze, can enough monkeys write Shakespeare, which is the worst food to leave lying around in your fridge, can you blow up a balloon under water and can you stop fingers going wrinkly when wet.

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Season 5

12 episodes
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Picnic
Episode 1

Picnic

Episode 1 • May 08, 2007

Vic Reeves takes over as the new host of Brainiac for a fifth series. This week the brainiacs are testing out such things as: can you run through a wall of sellotape and what is the fastest means of transport for your luggage!

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Artist
Episode 2

Artist

Episode 2 • May 15, 2007

.Vic Reeves tests the fire resistance of a meringue, and assists Jon Tickle in an attempt to create a DIY earthquake using Dynamite. Plus, Rik Waller takes part in the Celebrity Day Job Electrocution.

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Ramblers
Episode 3

Ramblers

Episode 3 • May 22, 2007

Vic Reeves, Jon Tickle and Charlotte Hudson join forces to wreak havoc in the laboratory, and try to answer a selection of puzzling scientific questions. The trio are joined by GMTV weather presenter Clare Nasir, who takes part in the Celebrity Day Job Electrocution challenge.

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Football
Episode 4

Football

Episode 4 • May 29, 2007

Vic Reeves, Jon Tickle and Charlotte Hudson continue their madcap antics and try to answer a selection of puzzling scientific questions. This week the Braniacs are joined by Tony Hadley on helium and The Salon's Ricardo Reido as he attempts the Celebrity Day Job Electrocution challenge.

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Camping
Episode 5

Camping

Episode 5 • Jun 05, 2007

Vic Reeves, Jon Tickle and Charlotte Hudson continue to wreak havoc in the laboratory, and try to answer a selection of puzzling scientific questions. The trio are joined by former England cricketer Mark Butcher, who attempts the Celebrity Day Job Electrocution challenge.

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Fishing
Episode 6

Fishing

Episode 6 • Jun 12, 2007

Lady Isabella Hervey accepts the Celebrity Day Job Electrocution challenge while she trains at the gym. The Braniacs fill a shed full of fireworks, and attempt to make a knickerbocker glory in a microwave. Vic Reeves and his team attempt to answer the questions that have baffled scientists for years.

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Season 6

10 episodes
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Episode 1
Episode 1

Episode 1

Episode 1 • Jan 13, 2008

Thaila Zucchi presents regular segment How Hard Is Your Thing? in which she puts viewers' submissions through a series of intense tests to find the hardest object in the land. Vic Reeves sends a portable toilet airborne and a magic trick is updated with an electrifying twist.

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Episode 2
Episode 2

Episode 2

Episode 2 • Jan 20, 2008

Jon Tickle, Vic Reeves and Thaila Zucchi investigate the fastest way to eat eggs, how many pieces of sticky tape are needed to lift a car and how to turn vegetables supersonic with the aid of a pneumatic cannon and a rocket on a wire. Plus, Abi Titmuss and Frank Bruno try to blow up their caravans.

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Episode 3
Episode 3

Episode 3

Episode 3 • Jan 27, 2008

Jon Tickle, Vic Reeves and Thaila Zucchi join forces to wreak havoc in the laboratory, tackling humorous and heated experiments guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows.

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Episode 4
Episode 4

Episode 4

Episode 4 • Feb 03, 2008

Jon Tickle and Vic Reeves join forces to wreak havoc in the laboratory, while Thaila Zucchi presents regular segment How Hard Is Your Thing? - in which she tests viewers' submissions to find the hardest object in the land.

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Episode 5
Episode 5

Episode 5

Episode 5 • Feb 08, 2008

Jon Tickle and Richard Hammond join forces to wreak havoc in the laboratory, while a camping celebrity is left homeless when the team destroys their caravan.

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Episode 6
Episode 6

Episode 6

Episode 6 • Feb 15, 2008

Jon Tickle and Vic Reeves are joined by Thaila Zucchi, who presents regular segment How Hard Is Your Thing? in which she puts viewers' submissions through a series of intense tests to find the hardest object in the land.

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