Smash Lab
| Smash Lab | |
|---|---|
| Created by |
Korelan Cone Philip Lott |
| Starring |
Deanne Bell Chuck Messer Nick Blair (season 1) Kevin Cook (season 1) Reverend Gadget (season 2) Nathaniel Taylor (season 2) |
| Narrated by |
Ben Bailey (US, season 2 only) Tony Hirst (UK) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 20 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multiple |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Distributor | Discovery Communications |
| Release | |
| Original network | Discovery Channel |
| Picture format |
480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Original release | December 26, 2007 – May 1, 2009 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Smash Lab was a reality television series that premiered on December 26, 2007, on the Discovery Channel. The idea of the show is to take everyday technology and test it in "extraordinary ways".
The show started broadcasting in the UK on 3 March 2014 on Discovery Turbo and 7 April on Community Channel with Tony Hirst as the narrator. Discovery Turbo only aired 10 episodes, whereas Community Channel has all 20 episodes.
Cast
The Smash Lab team is composed of Deanne Bell (scientist), Chuck Messer (engineer), Nick Blair (designer, season 1 only), Kevin Cook (creative expert, season 1 only), Reverend Gadget (fabricator, season 2 only), and Nathaniel Taylor (artisan, season 2 only). Blair has a degree in industrial design, and both Bell and Cook have degrees in mechanical engineering. Messer has an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering as well as a graduate degree in industrial design.[1]
Seasons
First season
Smash Lab premiered on December 26, 2007. The Smash Lab team for season one was composed of Deanne Bell, Chuck Messer, Nick Blair, and Kevin Cook.
Second season
Smash Lab was picked up for a second season[2] with episodes beginning August 5, 2008. For the second season, two team members changed: Nick Blair and Kevin Cook were replaced by Reverend Gadget and Nathaniel Taylor (artisan).[3] Gadget has appeared on other Discovery Channel shows, including Big! and Monster House. This season is narrated by comedian Ben Bailey, host of Cash Cab. The show was not renewed for a third season.
Episodes
Criticism and controversy
Smash Lab received extremely negative reviews. An article from "Daily Illini" criticizes the show heavily, saying: "Have you seen the show 'Smash Lab' on Discovery Channel? If you haven't, you're lucky. If you have, I'm sorry. It is possibly the dumbest show I have seen in a long time.".[4] A Canadian-based online design and marketing firm called smashLAB claimed that its reputation had been tarnished because of its similar name.[5]
See also
References
- Notes
- ↑ Smash Lab: Discovery Channel: Meet the Crew at the Wayback Machine (archived January 20, 2008)
- ↑ Discovery Channel Celebrates Curiosity and Wonder in a Robust Programming Slate for Upfront 2008-09
- ↑ Smash Lab: Discovery Channel: Meet the Crew
- ↑ "TV show has long way to go to catch bank robbers". Archived from the original on January 25, 2010.
- ↑ "Smash Lab Sucks".