Editing MythBusters (section)

== Format ==
Each ''MythBusters'' episode focuses typically on two or more [[urban legends|popular beliefs]], Internet rumors, or other [[myth]]s. Many of the myths are on [[Special effect|mechanical effects as portrayed in live-action films and television]] of fictional incidents. The list of myths tested by the series is compiled from many sources, including the personal experiences of cast and crew, as well as fan suggestions, such as those posted on the Discovery Channel online MythBusters forums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/18/mythbusters-fans-want-to-bust-the-e-reader|title=MythBusters fans want to bust the E-reader|work=TV Squad|publisher=AOL Inc.|date=April 18, 2008|access-date=April 18, 2008|last=McDuffee|first=Keith}}</ref>

Occasionally, episodes are produced in which some or all of the myths are related by theme, such as pirates or sharks, and occasionally these are dubbed as "[Theme] Special" episodes. As of May 2009, four myths have required such extensive preparation and testing that they had entire episodes devoted solely to them,<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Border Slingshot|episode-link=MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode 35 – "Border Slingshot"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=July 27, 2005|number=35}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Confederate Rocket|episode-link=MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode 40 – "Confederate Rocket"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=October 26, 2005|number=40}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Archimedes' Death Ray|episode-link=MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode 46 – "Archimedes' Death Ray"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=January 25, 2006|number=46}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Seesaw Saga|episode-link=MythBusters (2009 season)#Episode 120 – Seesaw Saga|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=May 20, 2009|number=120}}</ref> and four [[List of MythBusters special episodes|specials]] have been double-length.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=JAWS Special|episode-link=MythBusters (2005 season)#Episode SP8 – "JAWS Special"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=July 17, 2005|number=SP8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Mega Movie Myths 2 Hour Special|episode-link=MythBusters (2006 season)#Episode SP9 – "Mega Movie Myths 2 Hour Special"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=September 13, 2006|number=SP9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Pirate Special|episode-link=MythBusters (2007 season)#Episode 71 – "Pirate Special"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=January 17, 2007|number=71}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Supersized Myths|episode-link=MythBusters (2007 season)#Episode 90 – "Supersized Myths"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=November 14, 2007|number=90}}</ref> Several episodes, including the 2006 Holiday Special, have included the building of [[Rube Goldberg machine]]s. Before a myth is introduced by the hosts, a myth-related drawing is made on a blueprint. After the hosts introduce the myth, a comical video explaining the myth is usually shown.

=== Experiment approach ===
The MythBusters typically test myths in a two-step process. In early episodes, the steps were described as "replicate the circumstances, then duplicate the results" by Savage.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Explosive Decompression, Frog Giggin', Rear Axle|episode-link=MythBusters_(2004_season)#Episode 9 – "Explosive Decompression, Frog Giggin', Rear Axle"|series=MythBusters|network=Discovery|date=January 11, 2004|number=9}}</ref> This means that first the team attempts to recreate the circumstances that the myth alleges, to determine whether the alleged result occurs. If that fails, they attempt to expand the circumstances to the point that will cause the described result, which often reveals that the claims of the myth are objectively ridiculous or impossible to achieve without specialized training or equipment. Occasionally, the team, usually Savage and Hyneman, holds a friendly competition between themselves to see which of them can devise a more successful solution to recreating the results. This is most common with myths involving building an object that can accomplish a goal. For example, rapidly cooling a [[beer]], or finding a [[MythBusters (2004 season)#Needle in a Haystack|needle in a haystack]].

While the team obeys no specific formula in terms of physical procedure, most myths involve construction of various objects to help test the myth. They use their functional workshops to construct whatever is needed, often including mechanical devices and [[Set construction|sets]] to simulate the circumstances of the myth. Human actions are often simulated by mechanical means to increase safety, and to achieve consistency in repeated actions. Methods for testing myths are usually planned and executed in a manner to produce visually dramatic results,<ref name="kaboom">This is self-acknowledged in season two's bathtub electrocution myth: [Announcer:] "...but it wouldn't be ''MythBusters'' without pyrotechnics, so Adam's rigged up a flashpot to ignite when [a lethal electrocution occurs]." Tory also dubs this "the MythBuster way",</ref> which generally involves explosions, fires, or vehicle crashes. Thus, myths or tests involving [[explosive material|explosives]], [[firearm]]s, and [[vehicle]] [[Car accident|collisions]] are relatively common.

Results are measured in a manner scientifically appropriate for the given experiment. Sometimes, results can be measured by simple numerical measurement using standard tools, such as [[multimeter]]s for electrical measurements, or various types of [[thermometer]]s to measure temperature. To gauge results that do not yield numerical quantities, the teams commonly make use of several types of equipment that can provide other forms of observable effects. When testing physical consequences to a human body, which would be too dangerous to test on a living person, the MythBusters commonly use analogues.

Early episodes made heavy use of [[Crash test dummy|crash-test dummies]] for observing [[blunt trauma]] injury, and [[ballistic gelatin]] for testing [[penetrating trauma]]; whatever form and function it possessed, the dummy would always be named [[List of MythBusters cast members#Buster|Buster]] The crew progressed to using pig [[Cadaver|carcasses]] when an experiment required a more accurate simulation of human flesh, bone, and organs. Occasionally, real or simulated bones were molded within ballistics gel for simulations of specific body parts. Synthetic cadavers, or SynDavers, were used in a few tests such as in the [[MythBusters (2013 season)#Car Cushion|"Car Cushion"]] myth.

Both for the purposes of visual observation to determine a result and simply as a unique visual for the program, [[high-speed camera]]s are used during experiments and have become a trademark of the series. Very fast footage of moving objects in front of a measured scale is commonly used to determine the speed of the object.

Testing is often edited due to time constraints of a televised episode. It can often seem as if the teams draw results from fewer repetitions and a smaller [[data]] set than they actually have. During the [[List of MythBusters special episodes#Special 4 — "MythBusters Outtakes"|"Outtakes Special"]], they specifically stated that while they are, in fact, very thorough in testing myths and repeat experiments many times in many different configurations, it is simply impossible to display the entire process during a program. Beginning in the [[MythBusters (2007 season)|fifth season]], episodes typically contain a prompt for the viewer to visit the show's homepage to view outtake footage of either additional testing or other facets of the myths being tested. However, Savage himself has acknowledged that they do not purport always to achieve a satisfactorily large enough set of results to overcome definitively all [[Selection bias|bias]].<ref name="ResultsQuote"><!--Seemingly self-shot, or self-published video. Hopefully passes copyright issues. If not, please leave the quote anyway-->{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7425FD3If8w|title=Adam Savage at The Last HOPE|date=July 2008|access-date=October 18, 2010|quote=We will absolutely revisit when we think we screwed up the results. We won't stand by our results—you can't with a data set of one, and two, and five. But we do stand by our methodologies.|time=4 minutes 37 seconds}}</ref> In response to criticisms they receive about their methods and results in previous episodes,<ref name="ResultsQuote" /> the staff produced several "Myths Revisited" episodes in which the teams retest myths to see if the complaints have merit. These episodes have sometimes resulted in overturning results of several myths, as well as upholding some results for reasons different from the original.

Occasionally, the MythBusters take the opportunity to test "mini-myths" during the course of one of the episode's main myths, usually in the name of satisfying personal curiosity. These can either be planned in advance to take advantage of the testing location—for instance, in the "Peeing on the Third Rail" myth Adam got permission to find out if placing coins on a train track was sufficient to derail a train (he found that the test locomotive was not affected at all)—or can simply take place without prior planning.