Brainiac: Science Abuse | |
---|---|
Genre | Entertainment |
Directed by | Peter Eyre |
Presented by |
Richard Hammond (2003–6) Vic Reeves (2007–8) |
Starring |
Jon Tickle Charlotte Hudson (2004–7) Thaila Zucchi (2008) |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of series | 6 |
No. of episodes | 58 (inc. 7 specials) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | Stewart Morris |
Producer(s) | Richard Greenwood |
Running time | 60 minutes (inc. adverts) |
Production company(s) | Granada Productions |
Distributor | ITV Studios |
Release | |
Original network | Sky One |
Picture format | 16:9 |
Original release | 13 November 2003 | – 30 March 2008
Chronology | |
Related shows |
Brainiac: History Abuse Brainiac's Test Tube Baby |
Website |
Brainiac: Science Abuse (often shortened to simply Brainiac or Brainiacs) is a British entertainment documentary show that aired on Sky One from 13 November 2003 to 30 March 2008. During each episode of the show, numerous experiments are carried out to verify whether common conceptions are true (such as whether it is possible to run across a pool of custard) or simply to create impressive explosions. The show centres on the three core branches of science for the key stages in British education: chemistry, physics and to a lesser extent, biology. The experimenters on the show are referred to as "Brainiacs", and each episode usually finishes with the destruction of a caravan.
The original presenters were Richard Hammond and Jon Tickle, then joined in the second series by Charlotte Hudson. Hammond left after the fourth, and was replaced by Vic Reeves and Hudson left after the fifth, and was replaced by Thaila Zucchi.
In July 2008, after the sixth series had finished, Sky announced they had cancelled the show due to the sixth series' low ratings.
In April 2015 ITV announced it is working on a reboot of Brainiac Science Abuse, it is thought that the show will not feature Richard Hammond.
Series 1 featured a wide variety of experiments including testing to see whether a mobile phone would ignite petrol vapours, walking on custard and testing the effects of electric shocks on various Brainiacs.
Series 2 saw the start of "Brainiac Snooker", in which World Snooker professional Quinten Hann would pot the last six balls on a table into pockets connected to fuses which, upon potting a ball causing a caravan rigged with a different explosive to explode.
The second series also introduced Charlotte Hudson as a third, but minor, host, and saw the introduction of what then became long term character "Professor Myang-Li", played by Rachel Grant.