Smash Lab

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This article is about the Discovery Channel show. For the Canadian design company, see SmashLAB.
Smash Lab
Format Documentary
Science
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)
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
Broadcast
Original channel Discovery Channel
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Original run December 26, 2007 (2007-12-26) – May 1, 2009 (2009-05-01)
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."[1]

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.[2] It is currently being shown on Discovery Channel UK with Tony Hirst as the narrator.

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[3] 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).[4] 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

Main article: List of Smash Lab 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.".[5] It has also been harshly reviewed on sites such as IMDb.

A Canadian-based online design and marketing firm called smashLAB claimed that its reputation had been tarnished because of its similar name.[6]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Smash Lab: Discovery Channel: About the Series
  2. ↑ Smash Lab: Discovery Channel: Meet the Crew (via Internet Archive)
  3. ↑ Discovery Channel Celebrates Curiosity and Wonder in a Robust Programming Slate for Upfront 2008-09
  4. ↑ Smash Lab: Discovery Channel: Meet the Crew
  5. ↑ "TV show has long way to go to catch bank robbers". 
  6. ↑ "Smash Lab Sucks". 

External links

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