You Have Been Warned: When ‘comedians play scientists’

When you have been warned not to do something, would you proceed?

Most people would not, especially when it involves analyzing and recreating the Internet’s craziest, most amazing, but often dangerous, viral videos. But that is exactly what celebrities Ramon Bautista, Lourd de Veyra, Jun Sabayton, Angel Rivero, and R.A. Rivera would do in Discovery Channel Asia’s newest show, You Have Been Warned.
Using humor, music, and entertainment, You Have Been Warned is a pop science show that deconstructs the science behind the Internet’s most viral clips. Each episode consists of 13 videos featuring people from around the world doing hilarious stunts or experiments, all representing a common theme.

“We present it and after we roll the video, we explain the science how the stunt or experiment was made,” Rivero said in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

“Basically, it’s an explanation of the how, what, where, and the scientific terms of the clip. For example, something fell, you explain the physics behind it, or chemistry, or biology,” Rivera added.

The show’s main goal is to make science more relevant and understandable to the viewers through fun and entertainment, simplified in a way that even non-science enthusiasts may find appealing.

“We’re not saying people can’t understand pure science but…it’s really hard! It’s easier to digest when you use comedy [in describing scientific concepts and phenomena],” Bautista explained.

That includes explaining how a straw can filter a murky water for drinking, how bicycles with triangle wheels move, and how eagles can repel spy drones.

The quintet does not simply rehash the episodes; they also tried and recreated many of the stunts and experiments, including how Coke will react with Mentos candies and how to make a can of mushroom soup explode.

‘Pinoy pride’

You Have Been Warned is popular in the U.S., but its huge difference with the Asian version is that instead of scientists trying to be funny, it features comedians trying to be scientists.

And out of the many comedians in Asia, Discovery Channel picked the Filipino team, all known for their silly antics onscreen and online, to become the new faces of the show.

“Point of pride: It’s You Have Been Warned Asia but the hosts are Filipinos,” de Veyra said. “That means our faces will air in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and others.”

“They’ll easily relate to me,” Sabayton said in jest.

“’Cause you’re the representative of the Malay race,” Rivera quipped.

But they did not audition for the project though — the hosts proudly noted that a Discovery Channel Asia producer personally handpicked the team as part of the station’s effort to localize shows for the region.

“Out of the one billion people in the region, us five will bring science to each and every house in Southeast Asia,” Bautista said.

Warning

Because a wise man learns from other people’s mistakes, Rivero reminded the audience not to try the experiments and stunts you will see on the show.

“Because the experiments are wild and wacky, we have taken the initiative to explain for you what happened and the scientific explanation behind it. Kaya ‘wag niyo nang subukan dahil meron nang sumubok (So do not dare to try it because somebody else have already had),” Rivero said.
So whatever the group does on the show, you have been warned not to try it at home.

You Have Been Warned premieres August 21  on Discovery Channel Asia at 8:10 p.m. CBB