Science of Stupid poster

TV series

Science of Stupid

2014TV-149 seasons6.2 / 10

This show combines cold hard science with some of the craziest, most spectacular and painful user generated clips ever recorded. Richard Hammond introduces all manner of mishaps featuring brave, if misguided individuals from around the world and then explains the science behind their failure and humiliation with the use of bespoke animations and super slo-mo cinematography. Every episode features between 50 and 60 clips of misadventure – ordinary folk making extraordinary mistakes. Each week watch stunts involving weightlifting, shooting guns or jumping over cars, that have gone wrong, paused, re-wound, and re-played and analysed to determine exactly what went wrong and why. Richard explains the physics, chemistry and biology at play, then presents forensic details to explain the stupidity that resulted in failure. He’ll look at everything including weight, volume, momentum, combustion and even how the brain operates. This is misadventure explained. This is the Science of Stupid.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Science of Stupid premiered April 9, 2014. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

This show combines cold hard science with some of the craziest, most spectacular and painful user generated clips ever recorded. Richard Hammond introduces all manner of mishaps featuring brave, if misguided individuals from around the world and then explains the science behind their failure and humiliation with the use of bespoke animations and super slo-mo cinematography. Every episode features between 50 and 60 clips of misadventure – ordinary folk making extraordinary mistakes. Each week watch stunts involving weightlifting, shooting guns or jumping over cars, that have gone wrong, paused, re-wound, and re-played and analysed to determine exactly what went wrong and why. Richard explains the physics, chemistry and biology at play, then presents forensic details to explain the stupidity that resulted in failure. He’ll look at everything including weight, volume, momentum, combustion and even how the brain operates. This is misadventure explained. This is the Science of Stupid.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Don't Lose Your Lunch

Richard Hammond reveals how adventures turn to misadventures as he explores some of the most spectacular and humiliating scientific mishaps.

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Episode 2

Ring of Fire

Learn how many ways there are to embarrass, injure and humiliate yourself when riding a unicycle or jumping off a roof.

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Episode 3

Dancing Disasters

Richard presents experiments gone wrong, revealing how easy it is for scientists to injure themselves while pole dancing, playing on a pogo stick or cutting down trees.

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Episode 4

Discus for Dummies

Richard combines science and home footage to reveal how easy it can be for a person to injure or embarrass themselves while walking on ice or riding in a shopping trolley.

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Episode 5

Airbags vs. Airheads

Richard examines footage of people horse-riding, diving and using exercise balls as he reveals how misadventures can occur.

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Episode 6

Zip Line Fails

Richard uses science and home footage to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of scooter stunts, break-dancing and swinging on ropes.

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Episode 7

Karate Flops

Richard examines how accidents can occur while knocking down buildings, sledging and abusing airbags.

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Episode 8

Learning to Fly

Richard uses science and home footage to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of karate kicks, snowboarding on water and urban-biking bunny hops.

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Episode 9

Rooftop Drops

Richard uses science and home footage to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of riding a rodeo bull, and hanging upside down.

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Episode 10

Human Tower Disasters

Richard uses science and home footage to reveal the humiliating and painful ways people can injure themselves walking on stilts, firing a slingshot and playing a round of golf.

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Episode 11

Poolside Fails

Richard uses science and home footage to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of riding down a zip line, playing on swings or swallowing powdered cinnamon.

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Episode 12

Bungee Cord Snaps

Richard uses science and home footage to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of bungee jumping, juggling and flying a kite - though not all at the same time.

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Episode 13

Pole Vault Mishaps

Richard uses science to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of more YouTube disasters, featuring pole vaulting, ski jumping and rolling down a hill in a dustbin.

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Episode 14

Jet Pack Failure

Richard uses science to reveal the humiliating and painful potential of more YouTube disasters, featuring people abseiling, running up walls and flying with a jet pack.

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Episode information updated Jul 22, 2026

More about Science of Stupid

Cast

Richard HammondSelf - Host
Dallas CampbellSelf - Host

Credits

Created by
Richard Hammond

Production details

Status
Returning Series
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
172
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • National GeographicUnited States
  • Eyeboogie
  • IWC MediaUnited Kingdom

Themes

popular science