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Truth: 'Mythbusters' will end its run next year


Mythbusters has proven something about itself: It won't run forever.

Discovery Channel's longest-running series, which features the testing, proving and debunking of various myths and hypotheses, will end its run with its upcoming season, which premieres Jan. 9.

"After 248 episodes, 2950 experiments, 1050 myths, and 900 explosions, hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman will say goodbye to the series this winter," Discovery Channel said in a statement Wednesday that announced the conclusion of the series.

Over the seasons, special-effects artists Savage and Hyneman have explored a broad range of myths, from the TV-fan-friendly (Can a floor and ceiling be dissolved by filling a bathtub with hydrofluoric acid, à la Breaking Bad?) to the dangerous (Can someone escape a sinking car?) and the booming (Can hardened cement be removed from a cement truck using explosives?). For the record: No; yes, by breaking a window; and plausible.

The Emmy-nominated series, which launched in 2003, has featured numerous famous guests, including Seth Rogen, James Cameron, Aaron Paul, Vince Gilligan and Sophia Bush. It snagged presidential cachet when President Obama appeared on the show in 2010.

The hosts issued statements that accompanied the announcement.

“Making Mythbusters has fundamentally and irrevocably altered the way I think as a person, as an artist, and as a scientist. I’m glad for the chance to say goodbye with some of the best television we’ve ever made. I will miss making this show,” Savage said.

"I never dreamed we would be on television at all, much less for such a long time and with so much praise for keeping a thought-provoking show on the air. And best of all, we were able to do what we do and still have all our fingers and toes,” colleague Hyneman said.

Discovery chief Rich Ross praised the show and its hosts. "Mythbusters is – and will always be – an incredibly important part of Discovery’s history. Adam and Jamie are enormous talents who have brought learning and science to the forefront of this network, and their legacy will continue to live on over at Science Channel," where the Mythbusters library will move next year.In the final season, Savage and Hyneman will test myths in a variety of categories and Mythbusters will delve into car stunts, social science, viral videos, explosions and rockets. Fans can submit their farewells using #MythYouGuys on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and some comments will be featured on the show during the season.

Science Channel, Discovery's sister network, will hold a Mythbusters marathon, showing every episode chronologically starting Dec. 23 nad ending Jan. 3.

Contributing: Carly Mallenbaum