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Time Warp (Discovery Channel)

common sense media says

Slo-mo stunts offer smashing good fun.

parents & educators say
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series often revolves around filming things blowing up -- but no one gets hurt, and there are lots of cautions/warnings. The show encourages curiosity, but there doesn't always seem to be a compelling scientific reason behind the experiments.

Positive messages: The show encourages curiosity -- one experiment is done simply because "it's never been done before." But the stunts can be dangerous and don't really reveal that much in the way of scientific principles.
Violence: Lots of things explode and/or people engage in dangerous activities (such as boxing and juggling chain saws), but no one gets hurt, and there are lots of warnings.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: There are jokes that reference drinking (for example, that it will be easier to juggle "after a few strategic beers"). Another experiment is based on a bar trick.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why it's entertaining to watch things blow up. Does your interest in watching something like that depend on whether or not someone one gets hurt? Do you think shows like this are really teaching viewers that much about science, or are they using science education as an excuse to play with fireworks? Are the warnings not to try this stuff at home really that effective at discouraging kids?

What's the story?

What's the story?
TIME WARP is all about figuring out what happens -- and why. Events both complex and simple are filmed with super-speed cameras and then slowed down so that we can see what happens at speeds too fast for the human eye to register. Scientists have been using similar technology for a long time to discover the existence of stress faults, find out how hummingbirds fly, and so on; now host/scientist Jeff Lieberman is putting it to use on more mundane (but no less interesting) matters.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
While some of the stunts featured in the show seem rather silly and pointless, not to mention extremely dangerous (blending up seven butane lighters, for example), the joy of discovery is infectious and fun. Viewers will learn how a blender works and why it's sometimes better to use a lower speed. And sometimes "Why not?" is all the reason you need to do something. The trick, of course, will be encouraging the "why not" without encouraging burning down the house or juggling chain saws.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Discovery Channel
Cast: Jeff Lieberman, Matt Kearney
Genre: Educational
Where to watch: Discovery Channel
This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

DarkStorm12
kid, 13 years old
9
 
A great show about what really goes on a measurement of milliseconds, but dangerous stunts are common.
This show has great high-speed cameras that slow down down time in high-definition. Some episodes may show dangerous stunts, like being whipped with a two by four, spitting flammable liquid onto fire, and even people walking over hot coals bare footed, but normally these people are trained professionals with medical attention near-by.
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Event Horizon
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Who doesn't like watching things that are already cool in fast mode in slo-mo?
While many of the things they do are very, very dangerous, most of them aren't available for kids to do them, so it isn't really a problem. But the point of this show isn't to tell you why something looks how it looks, and the science behind it, but to watch a cool thing in slo-mo. It's cool. It's not an intellectual show, but sometimes you need a break from those and just watch eye candy. Flip on over here.
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Jha80000
adult
11
 
A good interesting show
it's something good to watch with your famly
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the no bull zone
teen, 15 years old
9
 
interestin
its very interesting
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lili31
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Its OK
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