I think the framing as “myths” also helped the show. The experimental result was generally either wonder (“oh wow, it’s really true!”) or self-satisfaction (“we proved wrong something that Other People actually think!”); good outcomes either way. It helped keep the audience happy regardless and made them feel like something was actually accomplished that they could relate to. Sure, you can get some of that with other popsci shows, but the demos/experiments are often presented as a known answer with low stakes, leaving it harder to connect to a “so, what?”
I think the framing as “myths” also helped the show. The experimental result was generally either wonder (“oh wow, it’s really true!”) or self-satisfaction (“we proved wrong something that Other People actually think!”); good outcomes either way. It helped keep the audience happy regardless and made them feel like something was actually accomplished that they could relate to. Sure, you can get some of that with other popsci shows, but the demos/experiments are often presented as a known answer with low stakes, leaving it harder to connect to a “so, what?”
Also if you make a big enough boom, no one really cares if you were right or wrong.
Thanks for getting american politics in my comfort tv. Needed that.