Prime Slow to Crack the Whip on Mythbusters

Mythbusters will screen for the first time in HD here when it airs 7.30 Thursdays on Prime from July 21.

The channel is resuming the Discovery staple from episode two of season 15, in which Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman take on the opening scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark before trying to make an Indy whip.

While Prime has scarcely cracked the whip when it comes to keeping up to date with Mythbusters — season 15 aired last year in the US and the 16th and final season ended in March — the HD changeover is timely given the show busts a few of its own traditions this season.

“Fans hoping for their typical MythBusters episodes might be surprised to learn of the show’s new format and reduced cast,” C|Net reports, citing executive producer Dan Tapster’s promise of a “new look, a new vibe, and it’s become more educational again”.

Says The Nerdist about the new approach, which distinguishes the Indiana Jones expose: “With this episode, it looks like the show is settling into its new format quite nicely.

“The new graphics package is really illuminating some of the math and science behind the duo’s tests, and the upgraded cameras make whips look downright beautiful.”

Other season 15 highlights include investigating myths from The Simpsons, putting The A-Team under the microscope, building a home-made machine gun a la Breaking Bad, and retackling the explosive finale of Jaws.

And the good news for fans of the dynamite-mad duo is Mythbusters will be back in another vehicle on the Science Channel, starting with a reality TV show dedicated to finding new hosts.