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    Mythbusters Prove that Accidents Can Happen Even to Experts

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    COMMENTARY | No doubt on the advice of their legal counsel, the Mythbusters air a PSA on their popular show in which they say, "Don't try this at home. We are what you call experts." But even experts can have accidents.

    According to KTUV TV, a myth was being explored by firing a cannon ball at the Alameda bomb range. The cannon ball took an unexpected skip over a safety berm which sent it into a nearby neighborhood, through a private home, and into a nearby parked minivan. No one was harmed, but the homeowner was understandably perturbed.

    One of the fun aspects of watching "Mythbusters" is watching the cast blow things up and shoot off all kinds of ordinance, generally having a great time doing it. The show is very explicit about the lengths that are taken to ensure the safety of everyone around for the effects of the explosions and general mayhem that is created while busting myths.

    The "Mythbusters" accident does demonstrate that despite every precaution, mishaps can happen. That is one reason why the show and its participants are heavily insured and have a legal staff to deal with the unexpected.

    One expects that the Discovery Channel will work diligently and quickly to make the homeowner whole, repairing the damage to the house and repairing or replacing the minivan. There will no doubt also be apologies all around from everyone concerned.

    It is hoped that the homeowner in question is not going to do the typical American thing and resort to litigation for "emotional trauma." That would just be cheap. It is also hoped that the Mythbusters will not be forced to scale back the spectacular nature of some of their myths. Huge explosions make great television, after all, and one minor mishap should not ruin it for now on.

    Besides, getting shot at by the Mythbusters is something that could be dined out upon forever. The cannon ball could be found, signed by those who fired it off, and then sold on Ebay for a lot of money. The outraged homeowner could come out considerably ahead if he exercises a little creativity.

     

    19 comments

    • Ag  •  5 mths ago
      "It is hoped that the homeowner in question is not going to do the typical American thing and resort to litigation for "emotional trauma." That would just be cheap."
      LOL
    • James V  •  Greenville, United States  •  5 mths ago
      "Uh, honey, I think we #$%$ off the neightbors again!"
    • skinny  •  Vestal, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Love this show. I remember a long-ago episode where they were exploring the Goldfinger myth. Kerri stripped down to her underwear so they could apply gold greasepaint all over her.WOW. She's still easy on the eyes
    • conky  •  Jackson, United States  •  5 mths ago
      this show was cool when they actually attacked a few urban myths. now they are looking for things to do. this show hasn't been interesting for 5 years.
    • Mike  •  5 mths ago
      Debunking the myth that cannon balls are dangerous...And coming soon...Debunking the myth that people are #$%$ off when a cannonball smashes through their home.
    • Alex  •  Charleston, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Well... #$%$ happens. what else can you say?
    • Merlin T  •  Waitsfield, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Don't try this at home!
    • MorphineBear  •  Arcadia, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Out of the hundreds of shows they've had, this is the only accident? It was just one house and car, which can be repaid. No one was hurt.
    • Scordra  •  Fair Oaks, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Accidents do happen....to err is to be human and I'm sure they will take responsibility. But I couldn't help chuckle when my 8 year old son said, "don't try this at home, we are experts and know what we're doing..." Not funny I'm sure to some of the people involved with material damage...but when you can learn to walk away from an accident unharmed and giggle, you understand that life truly is good....
    • blindpouch  •  Carlsbad, United States  •  5 mths ago
      It's Bush's fault!
    • John  •  Flatwoods, United States  •  5 mths ago
      oh that was so gay.
    • John  •  Flatwoods, United States  •  5 mths ago
      oop's my #$%$ someone really could have got killed or serious injured,the news people were laughing there #$%$ off about it. they are suppose to be expert's in there field. they got to laxed with it i think, they are not pro's any more. their gay screw ups.
      • Hardstyle 5 mths ago
        calm your nuts, they're human. Calling someone gay because they screw up is immature.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  Bedford, United States  •  5 mths ago
      I wouldn't file a suit for emotional trauma, but I would expect more for trouble and time in getting my house repaired. They're the ones that made the stupid mistake and should go beyond making repairs to the house.

      The little twerp who wrote this article doesn't seem to understand the real world. He's like either Beavis or Butthead thinking all the explosions are "so kewl".
    • S C  •  5 mths ago
      No one got hurt...all damages fixed...and I am sure you get your 15 minutes of fame...Can I move next door? Mythbusters is my favorite show...keep 'em coming!
    • kuw  •  5 mths ago
      Color me crazy, but Mythbusters firing munitions into your house and nobody gets hurt? That's called a -windfall-. They're going to patch up the puncture wounds, throw in a new porch, replace the car, and build an episode around it - featuring YOU. Whose life is so grand and exciting that this isn't something they'd beg to win in a contest? Those guys can shoot a hole in my life, anytime.
    • Lippy  •  Austin, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Just like when you jump up in the air while pulling up your legs and grabbing your shins as you fly into a pool, as long as you yell "Cannonball!" before you hit, and as long as nobody gets hurt, it's all good. If they didn't yell "Cannonball!", however, that is very bad form.
    • careless  •  Philadelphia, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Excuse me, if you fired a gun or weapon in your neighborhood you would be in jail right now. Why are these idiots not in jail? This is the dumbest thing I ever heard of. First John and Kate, now this, look what the Discovery Channel has sunk to
      • Jean 5 mths ago
        They shot the cannon off at an approved military bomb range. However, the cannon had more "range" than expected - and planning department idiots allowed a developer to build a housing area right next to a bomb range.
    • James  •  5 mths ago
      It’s all fun and games till someone get a cannon ball through their house.
      I love Myth Busters BTW.
    • j  •  5 mths ago
      *THIS* is why we can't have anything nice.
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