Time Warp (2008) s01e13 Episode Script
Trial Bikes
You want to see something? NARRATOR: What happens when an ordinary playing card is turned into a lethal weapon All right.
Thanks.
NARRATOR: when an ordinary bicycle is turned into a gravity-defying, man-crushing force of nature I wouldn't miss this for the world.
LENOSKY: That makes two of us.
NARRATOR: and an extraordinary ice skater hits the ice and our cameras? One down.
NARRATOR: What happens? "Time Warp.
" KEARNEY: Uh-oh.
Oh, my NARRATOR: Take two guys whose slo-mo cameras can stop the world in its tracks It starts out pretty asymmetric.
It has to move the mass of this thing out of the way.
Joseph, I need the widest-angle lens we have.
I'm gonna shoot this landing right here.
NARRATOR: add a high-tech laboratory where anything can and will happen and some of the world's wildest talents.
What happens? It's the age-old question -- man or machine? In the sport of trials biking, is it the rider that allows this to happen? Or is it the design of the bike? Cutting-edge materials and design allow champion trials riders to perform as one with their state-of-the-art equipment.
MAN: Nice.
NARRATOR: Note to self -- These are not champion trials riders.
[Both laugh.]
I think your reflector's loose.
NARRATOR: But help is on the way.
This bike sucks.
NARRATOR: Jeff Lenosky and Mike Steidley are the real deal Gentlemen, thanks for dropping in.
NARRATOR: and it's time to put these men and their machines through their paces.
All right, observed trials biking.
How is that different from something like mountain biking or even freestyle biking? Basically, trials riding is trying to get your bike up and over obstacles in any fashion you can.
It's called "observed trials" 'cause when you ride a course, the first time you ride it is the first chance you get.
So you see the course, and you can't practice on it.
You're allowed to look at it, but when we go to competitions, we're riding it for the first time.
When you go for a trail ride over rocks and logs, it's pretty much trials.
We just take it to a whole nother level.
NARRATOR: And that level becomes readily apparent.
So you can ride across this rail that's not as wide as your tires? I didn't say I could, but I did say I'll try.
Let's see it, buddy.
NARRATOR: Observed trials biking.
Our cameras are set to capture every detail.
KEARNEY: That was awesome.
I thought you were gonna land on Jeff.
I did, too, which is why I lost the end of that clip there.
-Nice, Mike.
-That was totally cool.
Well, okay.
So, we got all this stuff.
Let's look at some details on high-speed video.
NARRATOR: Not even Mike or Jeff has seen themselves like this.
Up close and in "Time Warp" slo-mo, we witness the method behind the magic, and we get the answer to our question -- not man, not machine, but a perfect partnership between the two.
The primary thing is this pull inward that's scissoring everything up.
And it makes a lot of sense why that seat has to be out of the way.
The more out of the way, the more you can bring the bike up to your level, lock it in place, and then shimmy yourself back up.
NARRATOR: Let's watch that bunny hop one more time.
Mike's side hop illustrates the same principle.
So you can see similar movement but leaning to the left rather than pushing forward.
LIEBERMAN: Right.
I'm just surprised you can do a 3-foot jump where your body moves about a foot and then you shim this entire bike three feet under you and move yourself out of the way.
STEIDLEY: It's pretty cool to see it like that.
NARRATOR: Now, this is where our obligatory "don't try this at home" mention comes in.
But unless you want to shell out a couple of grand for one of these bikes, you won't be able to try this anywhere.
What's the biggest difference mechanically between the two? Basically, Mike's bike is a purpose-built trials machine.
First of all, he has a rigid fork.
I have a suspension fork.
I tend to ride the front wheel a little bit more than you would on this bike.
NARRATOR: Yeah LENOSKY: This bike is real rear-biased, so it's great on the back tire.
NARRATOR: Rider and machine use gravity and instinct to defy both.
That was fun.
All right.
That's cool how that tire totally collapses on the edge.
You know it does it, but when you see it like that -Cool.
-Pretty wild.
NARRATOR: Well, this is enough to induce bike envy in just about anyone.
These are pretty impressive pieces of technology, and we should maybe compare them to the bikes that we have.
Yeah, let's get you on our bikes.
NARRATOR: Now we go from man and machine to man versus machine.
KEARNEY: Here he comes.
Ha! Oh, my God.
Are you serious? Is it broken already? NARRATOR: Its maiden flight and already time for a tire change.
So one tiny little hit, and it's destroyed already? [Laughing.]
Yeah.
NARRATOR: That's one bike down.
KEARNEY: Can't spin the back wheel anymore.
Ohh.
That didn't take much.
NARRATOR: Now Jeff tries his own custom bike.
That's more like it.
I couldn't even hear anything.
NARRATOR: The proof is in our footage.
The professional bikes are lighter, stronger, and more flexible, while the regular bikes are heavier and more rigid.
That was the lecture.
Now the lab.
Here comes Mike on Matt's mass-produced prize.
I'm thinking I'll try to wheelie off here, and we'll see how this bike holds up.
KEARNEY: Doesn't sound good.
NARRATOR: But did that just sound rough? Whoa! -Mike.
-Oh, my gosh.
NARRATOR: No, it was rough.
LENOSKY: I didn't think you'd have that much impact on that bike.
NARRATOR: A dive off a cliff on the store-bought bike is like a walk in the park on Mike's custom machine.
Closing arguments? I think we got one more thing.
Put that camera down, and let's see you lay right here.
NARRATOR: Yes, it's time for our traditional "torture the host" grand finale.
LENOSKY: I'd lay down flat just for your own safety.
NARRATOR: And, yes, Jeff is taking this lying down.
You focused and everything? I wouldn't miss this for the world.
NARRATOR: Here is an interesting point to ponder.
Jeff is lying under Mike's bike, exposed KEARNEY: Oh, my goodness.
NARRATOR: and unprotected.
Wash those tires much? Nice! Yes! Do I have tracks on my nose now? -You do.
-Thanks very much.
Oh, that was great.
NARRATOR: So we've seen what happens when man meets mountain bike and bike meets host.
Now it is time to see what happens when skate meets Ice.
NARRATOR: So we packed up our gear, headed to the rink, and that's where our plans begin to, well, slide.
Oops.
One down.
NARRATOR: Now Jeff takes the ice carefully They've got these knife blades on the front.
NARRATOR: very carefully.
Now, you astute Warpies may have noticed just how much light it takes to film our high-speed moments.
A lot of cabling running all the way across the ice.
So at some point today, we might see what happens when we mix electronics with ice.
NARRATOR: Our cameras need much more light than a regular TV camera to get the proper exposure.
A long lens.
NARRATOR: And a lot of light means a lot of heat.
And when heat meets ice, you get -- wait for it -- water.
Whoa! Did you like that? Did you get that, everyone? NARRATOR: Enough explanation.
The more we blather on, the more likely we are to melt the ice.
And we're on the clock now.
So now we have lights.
We have camera.
Looks like we're ready for the 2007 junior world champion.
While we struggle to remain upright, Stephen prepares to perform the scratch spin.
And it's tricky.
He'll have to remain in a very narrow field for our high-speed cameras -- not easy when you're spinning like a top.
MAN: Action! LIEBERMAN: So, Stephen, how does a human being get spinning so fast? CARRIERE: You're basically -- The position is -- Your arms are out wider.
And then once you're set, you pull in.
And so once you're pulling in, that's when you gain more momentum 'cause all of that motion is going in closer to your body, which makes anyone go faster.
LIEBERMAN: And we all know that angular velocity is angular momentum divided by rotational inertia.
NARRATOR: Uh, we don't all know that, but we'll go with the flow here.
LIEBERMAN: So what that means is that the more he can bring all of his weight into the center, the faster he's gonna spin.
KEARNEY: What else is impressive is we gave you maybe a foot field of view here, and you stay in it the entire time.
And you are spinning right on that axis.
NARRATOR: Next up, the dread triple axel -- the bane of any skater's professional existence.
Staying in view of our cameras' narrow band of visibility will be tough to pull off, not to mention, well, that pesky triple axel.
One more time.
Nails it! Let's hope we did, too.
MAN: Okay, we're gonna take a look at that one.
Okay, so, you're really swinging your leg through this.
CARRIERE: Yeah, what you really got to make sure is you get that height.
On a jump that you're going forward, you really bring that leg back and then kick it up.
So that helps you bring all of your motion up and forward into that jump.
NARRATOR: The triple axel actually requires That's 1, 2, 3, and a half turn to land.
And the takeoff is just as remarkable.
The leading toe actually points, digs, stops, and pivots before the leap begins.
LIEBERMAN: It's really amazing.
You have all of this speed and all of this momentum has to get stopped.
You're coming down at quite a fast speed.
NARRATOR: Watch again.
So Stephen's got his jump.
We've got our footage.
Time to clear the ice.
What? No Zamboni? ["Charge" fanfare plays.]
NARRATOR: Pitchers throw fastballs nearly 100 miles an hour and toss curveballs that defy the laws of physics.
Ste-e-e-rike three! You're out! NARRATOR: They even toss breaking balls that fool the best hitters.
But who needs a horsehide when you've got a playing card? You're actually known to be the Guinness world-record card thrower.
Yeah, I hold the "Guinness book" world record for throwing a playing card -So are both of those records? -Yeah.
The speed and the distance? -Bye.
- [Glass shatters.]
NARRATOR: We've brought Rick to the "Time Warp" studios to demonstrate his skills.
And we're starting with the basics.
-You want to see something? -NARRATOR: Well, basic for him.
You can flick this.
NARRATOR: Now, Rick knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, not to mention flip 'em.
-Sorry.
-I quit! -All right, so, what was this? -Spring shuffle.
Spring shuffle.
SMITH JR.
: It's not easy.
-That's really cool.
-LIEBERMAN: That is very cool.
NARRATOR: A whole interplay between friction and tension is revealed.
LIEBERMAN: They're building up just enough tension to overcome your fingertip and bending out.
KEARNEY: I still don't get how these came right at us.
LIEBERMAN: So you're just picking that corner back? What is it, latching onto your nail? SMITH JR.
: Yeah, flinging it.
It goes right off the fingernail.
-LIEBERMAN: Wow.
-Shoots the card forward.
NARRATOR: Simple, huh? Hey.
NARRATOR: Now, we know what you're thinking -- "Yeah, that's cool, but we expect more from 'Time Warp.
' Like somehow destroying things!" Say no more, faithful viewer.
We've got a bunch of fruits and vegetables up here on stage.
You think you can cut some of those apart? Some lights.
-You ready? -SMITH JR.
: Yep.
NARRATOR: There is nothing too innocent to be turned into a weapon of fast destruction.
-Aah! -KEARNEY: Wow.
[Laughs.]
NARRATOR: We're sorry to report that foodstuffs were harmed in the making of this video.
-MAN: Ow! -LIEBERMAN: You all right? NARRATOR: But so were members of the "Time Warp" crew.
As for the intended target, Rick resumes the attack with relish.
Man, it's -- I don't -- Yeah.
-There it is.
-There it is.
NARRATOR: With his arm warmed up, Rick's aim is all aces.
-SMITH JR.
: Cucumber.
-Nice.
And KEARNEY: This one was particularly upsetting to me.
LIEBERMAN: [Laughing.]
Look at that.
It looks like someone getting punched in the gut.
KEARNEY: Yeah, it looks like that.
NARRATOR: Next, Rick Paul Bunyans the carrot.
[Thud.]
The watermelon? Just a little off the top.
As for the apple, cut to the core.
And now for the cucumber.
Sensitive members of the audience may wish to avert their eyes.
And, finally, the banana split.
Now, rest assured, there is scientific method to this madness.
LIEBERMAN: All these cuts also really illustrate the difference between force and pressure.
I mean, it's really clear here that you're building a ton of stability in this.
It's almost like a gyroscope.
NARRATOR: Spin is another force in Rick's throw.
LIEBERMAN: Oh, look at the twist on your arm.
That's a huge amount of stress.
SMITH JR.
: Look at that.
That's amazing.
Look at my fingers.
LIEBERMAN: Your fingers must hurt, the joints on them.
SMITH JR.
: They do.
They do.
That's what always ends up hurting after I'm done throwing.
NARRATOR: And the source of Rick's training? SMITH JR.
: The only way I could figure out how to throw with force -- by throwing just like a baseball but spinning the hand at the last second so I can get the velocity of the card to spin.
NARRATOR: Not just a pitch.
Rick Smith Jr.
throws a curveball, and, it's fair to say, with great precision.
SMITH JR.
: Instead of coming out, the fingers would come in for a curveball.
So everything's the same until that last -- the flick.
NARRATOR: Now for another trick with some embedded sneaky science.
-Ohh.
-That's close.
-NARRATOR: Rick makes a wish -Took them both out.
NARRATOR: and There it is! That's pretty amazing.
-That was awesome.
-Proof LIEBERMAN: Positive.
You're gonna have to see it.
NARRATOR: The high-speed footage is illuminating KEARNEY: This is accuracy right here.
NARRATOR: and surprising.
LIEBERMAN: You just sliced it in half.
SMITH JR.
: Cutting the wick in half.
LIEBERMAN: Wow, you could see the smoke come off immediately.
SMITH JR.
: And the fire's following it.
NARRATOR: The flame appears to have gone out, but then it rises again.
A flat, spinning card doesn't produce much wind.
But as this card makes contact with the candle, the impact causes a brief corrugation.
And that corrugation pushes a pressure shock wave through the surrounding air -- wind.
That is the coolest shot I have ever seen.
NARRATOR: We've seen what happens when a playing card is turned into a lethal weapon.
Looks easy.
But as is so often the case in life, looks can be deceiving.
See for yourself.
I'm gonna teach you guys how to throw a playing card.
Okay, sounds great.
All you have to do -- take your card, throw it, and hit the pumpkin.
Nice and easy.
Hit the pumpkin.
-It's that easy.
-Oh! He got it! That was nice.
Good job.
-Feel a lot of pressure.
-Now you got to do it.
-Got to hit the pumpkin.
-I'm hitting the pumpkin.
What time is my bus? [Laughs.]
NARRATOR: Now back to the main event and our grand finale.
Let's do this.
NARRATOR: Rather than putting flames out, we're going to follow "Time Warp's" penchant for going out with a bang -- a gas-filled balloon held captive between hoops of fire! Not exactly scientific, but way cool! Bam! -Wow! -That was sweet.
NARRATOR: Uh, guys, forget anything? Okay, let's get the gas off.
- [Blowing.]
-Other way.
-NARRATOR: Thank you.
-That's better.
Something you want to see warped? Check us out on the Discovery Channel Website -- discovery.
com/timewarp -- and the warp you see just might be your own.
Do I have tracks on my nose now? -You do.
-Thanks very much.
Thanks.
NARRATOR: when an ordinary bicycle is turned into a gravity-defying, man-crushing force of nature I wouldn't miss this for the world.
LENOSKY: That makes two of us.
NARRATOR: and an extraordinary ice skater hits the ice and our cameras? One down.
NARRATOR: What happens? "Time Warp.
" KEARNEY: Uh-oh.
Oh, my NARRATOR: Take two guys whose slo-mo cameras can stop the world in its tracks It starts out pretty asymmetric.
It has to move the mass of this thing out of the way.
Joseph, I need the widest-angle lens we have.
I'm gonna shoot this landing right here.
NARRATOR: add a high-tech laboratory where anything can and will happen and some of the world's wildest talents.
What happens? It's the age-old question -- man or machine? In the sport of trials biking, is it the rider that allows this to happen? Or is it the design of the bike? Cutting-edge materials and design allow champion trials riders to perform as one with their state-of-the-art equipment.
MAN: Nice.
NARRATOR: Note to self -- These are not champion trials riders.
[Both laugh.]
I think your reflector's loose.
NARRATOR: But help is on the way.
This bike sucks.
NARRATOR: Jeff Lenosky and Mike Steidley are the real deal Gentlemen, thanks for dropping in.
NARRATOR: and it's time to put these men and their machines through their paces.
All right, observed trials biking.
How is that different from something like mountain biking or even freestyle biking? Basically, trials riding is trying to get your bike up and over obstacles in any fashion you can.
It's called "observed trials" 'cause when you ride a course, the first time you ride it is the first chance you get.
So you see the course, and you can't practice on it.
You're allowed to look at it, but when we go to competitions, we're riding it for the first time.
When you go for a trail ride over rocks and logs, it's pretty much trials.
We just take it to a whole nother level.
NARRATOR: And that level becomes readily apparent.
So you can ride across this rail that's not as wide as your tires? I didn't say I could, but I did say I'll try.
Let's see it, buddy.
NARRATOR: Observed trials biking.
Our cameras are set to capture every detail.
KEARNEY: That was awesome.
I thought you were gonna land on Jeff.
I did, too, which is why I lost the end of that clip there.
-Nice, Mike.
-That was totally cool.
Well, okay.
So, we got all this stuff.
Let's look at some details on high-speed video.
NARRATOR: Not even Mike or Jeff has seen themselves like this.
Up close and in "Time Warp" slo-mo, we witness the method behind the magic, and we get the answer to our question -- not man, not machine, but a perfect partnership between the two.
The primary thing is this pull inward that's scissoring everything up.
And it makes a lot of sense why that seat has to be out of the way.
The more out of the way, the more you can bring the bike up to your level, lock it in place, and then shimmy yourself back up.
NARRATOR: Let's watch that bunny hop one more time.
Mike's side hop illustrates the same principle.
So you can see similar movement but leaning to the left rather than pushing forward.
LIEBERMAN: Right.
I'm just surprised you can do a 3-foot jump where your body moves about a foot and then you shim this entire bike three feet under you and move yourself out of the way.
STEIDLEY: It's pretty cool to see it like that.
NARRATOR: Now, this is where our obligatory "don't try this at home" mention comes in.
But unless you want to shell out a couple of grand for one of these bikes, you won't be able to try this anywhere.
What's the biggest difference mechanically between the two? Basically, Mike's bike is a purpose-built trials machine.
First of all, he has a rigid fork.
I have a suspension fork.
I tend to ride the front wheel a little bit more than you would on this bike.
NARRATOR: Yeah LENOSKY: This bike is real rear-biased, so it's great on the back tire.
NARRATOR: Rider and machine use gravity and instinct to defy both.
That was fun.
All right.
That's cool how that tire totally collapses on the edge.
You know it does it, but when you see it like that -Cool.
-Pretty wild.
NARRATOR: Well, this is enough to induce bike envy in just about anyone.
These are pretty impressive pieces of technology, and we should maybe compare them to the bikes that we have.
Yeah, let's get you on our bikes.
NARRATOR: Now we go from man and machine to man versus machine.
KEARNEY: Here he comes.
Ha! Oh, my God.
Are you serious? Is it broken already? NARRATOR: Its maiden flight and already time for a tire change.
So one tiny little hit, and it's destroyed already? [Laughing.]
Yeah.
NARRATOR: That's one bike down.
KEARNEY: Can't spin the back wheel anymore.
Ohh.
That didn't take much.
NARRATOR: Now Jeff tries his own custom bike.
That's more like it.
I couldn't even hear anything.
NARRATOR: The proof is in our footage.
The professional bikes are lighter, stronger, and more flexible, while the regular bikes are heavier and more rigid.
That was the lecture.
Now the lab.
Here comes Mike on Matt's mass-produced prize.
I'm thinking I'll try to wheelie off here, and we'll see how this bike holds up.
KEARNEY: Doesn't sound good.
NARRATOR: But did that just sound rough? Whoa! -Mike.
-Oh, my gosh.
NARRATOR: No, it was rough.
LENOSKY: I didn't think you'd have that much impact on that bike.
NARRATOR: A dive off a cliff on the store-bought bike is like a walk in the park on Mike's custom machine.
Closing arguments? I think we got one more thing.
Put that camera down, and let's see you lay right here.
NARRATOR: Yes, it's time for our traditional "torture the host" grand finale.
LENOSKY: I'd lay down flat just for your own safety.
NARRATOR: And, yes, Jeff is taking this lying down.
You focused and everything? I wouldn't miss this for the world.
NARRATOR: Here is an interesting point to ponder.
Jeff is lying under Mike's bike, exposed KEARNEY: Oh, my goodness.
NARRATOR: and unprotected.
Wash those tires much? Nice! Yes! Do I have tracks on my nose now? -You do.
-Thanks very much.
Oh, that was great.
NARRATOR: So we've seen what happens when man meets mountain bike and bike meets host.
Now it is time to see what happens when skate meets Ice.
NARRATOR: So we packed up our gear, headed to the rink, and that's where our plans begin to, well, slide.
Oops.
One down.
NARRATOR: Now Jeff takes the ice carefully They've got these knife blades on the front.
NARRATOR: very carefully.
Now, you astute Warpies may have noticed just how much light it takes to film our high-speed moments.
A lot of cabling running all the way across the ice.
So at some point today, we might see what happens when we mix electronics with ice.
NARRATOR: Our cameras need much more light than a regular TV camera to get the proper exposure.
A long lens.
NARRATOR: And a lot of light means a lot of heat.
And when heat meets ice, you get -- wait for it -- water.
Whoa! Did you like that? Did you get that, everyone? NARRATOR: Enough explanation.
The more we blather on, the more likely we are to melt the ice.
And we're on the clock now.
So now we have lights.
We have camera.
Looks like we're ready for the 2007 junior world champion.
While we struggle to remain upright, Stephen prepares to perform the scratch spin.
And it's tricky.
He'll have to remain in a very narrow field for our high-speed cameras -- not easy when you're spinning like a top.
MAN: Action! LIEBERMAN: So, Stephen, how does a human being get spinning so fast? CARRIERE: You're basically -- The position is -- Your arms are out wider.
And then once you're set, you pull in.
And so once you're pulling in, that's when you gain more momentum 'cause all of that motion is going in closer to your body, which makes anyone go faster.
LIEBERMAN: And we all know that angular velocity is angular momentum divided by rotational inertia.
NARRATOR: Uh, we don't all know that, but we'll go with the flow here.
LIEBERMAN: So what that means is that the more he can bring all of his weight into the center, the faster he's gonna spin.
KEARNEY: What else is impressive is we gave you maybe a foot field of view here, and you stay in it the entire time.
And you are spinning right on that axis.
NARRATOR: Next up, the dread triple axel -- the bane of any skater's professional existence.
Staying in view of our cameras' narrow band of visibility will be tough to pull off, not to mention, well, that pesky triple axel.
One more time.
Nails it! Let's hope we did, too.
MAN: Okay, we're gonna take a look at that one.
Okay, so, you're really swinging your leg through this.
CARRIERE: Yeah, what you really got to make sure is you get that height.
On a jump that you're going forward, you really bring that leg back and then kick it up.
So that helps you bring all of your motion up and forward into that jump.
NARRATOR: The triple axel actually requires That's 1, 2, 3, and a half turn to land.
And the takeoff is just as remarkable.
The leading toe actually points, digs, stops, and pivots before the leap begins.
LIEBERMAN: It's really amazing.
You have all of this speed and all of this momentum has to get stopped.
You're coming down at quite a fast speed.
NARRATOR: Watch again.
So Stephen's got his jump.
We've got our footage.
Time to clear the ice.
What? No Zamboni? ["Charge" fanfare plays.]
NARRATOR: Pitchers throw fastballs nearly 100 miles an hour and toss curveballs that defy the laws of physics.
Ste-e-e-rike three! You're out! NARRATOR: They even toss breaking balls that fool the best hitters.
But who needs a horsehide when you've got a playing card? You're actually known to be the Guinness world-record card thrower.
Yeah, I hold the "Guinness book" world record for throwing a playing card -So are both of those records? -Yeah.
The speed and the distance? -Bye.
- [Glass shatters.]
NARRATOR: We've brought Rick to the "Time Warp" studios to demonstrate his skills.
And we're starting with the basics.
-You want to see something? -NARRATOR: Well, basic for him.
You can flick this.
NARRATOR: Now, Rick knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em, not to mention flip 'em.
-Sorry.
-I quit! -All right, so, what was this? -Spring shuffle.
Spring shuffle.
SMITH JR.
: It's not easy.
-That's really cool.
-LIEBERMAN: That is very cool.
NARRATOR: A whole interplay between friction and tension is revealed.
LIEBERMAN: They're building up just enough tension to overcome your fingertip and bending out.
KEARNEY: I still don't get how these came right at us.
LIEBERMAN: So you're just picking that corner back? What is it, latching onto your nail? SMITH JR.
: Yeah, flinging it.
It goes right off the fingernail.
-LIEBERMAN: Wow.
-Shoots the card forward.
NARRATOR: Simple, huh? Hey.
NARRATOR: Now, we know what you're thinking -- "Yeah, that's cool, but we expect more from 'Time Warp.
' Like somehow destroying things!" Say no more, faithful viewer.
We've got a bunch of fruits and vegetables up here on stage.
You think you can cut some of those apart? Some lights.
-You ready? -SMITH JR.
: Yep.
NARRATOR: There is nothing too innocent to be turned into a weapon of fast destruction.
-Aah! -KEARNEY: Wow.
[Laughs.]
NARRATOR: We're sorry to report that foodstuffs were harmed in the making of this video.
-MAN: Ow! -LIEBERMAN: You all right? NARRATOR: But so were members of the "Time Warp" crew.
As for the intended target, Rick resumes the attack with relish.
Man, it's -- I don't -- Yeah.
-There it is.
-There it is.
NARRATOR: With his arm warmed up, Rick's aim is all aces.
-SMITH JR.
: Cucumber.
-Nice.
And KEARNEY: This one was particularly upsetting to me.
LIEBERMAN: [Laughing.]
Look at that.
It looks like someone getting punched in the gut.
KEARNEY: Yeah, it looks like that.
NARRATOR: Next, Rick Paul Bunyans the carrot.
[Thud.]
The watermelon? Just a little off the top.
As for the apple, cut to the core.
And now for the cucumber.
Sensitive members of the audience may wish to avert their eyes.
And, finally, the banana split.
Now, rest assured, there is scientific method to this madness.
LIEBERMAN: All these cuts also really illustrate the difference between force and pressure.
I mean, it's really clear here that you're building a ton of stability in this.
It's almost like a gyroscope.
NARRATOR: Spin is another force in Rick's throw.
LIEBERMAN: Oh, look at the twist on your arm.
That's a huge amount of stress.
SMITH JR.
: Look at that.
That's amazing.
Look at my fingers.
LIEBERMAN: Your fingers must hurt, the joints on them.
SMITH JR.
: They do.
They do.
That's what always ends up hurting after I'm done throwing.
NARRATOR: And the source of Rick's training? SMITH JR.
: The only way I could figure out how to throw with force -- by throwing just like a baseball but spinning the hand at the last second so I can get the velocity of the card to spin.
NARRATOR: Not just a pitch.
Rick Smith Jr.
throws a curveball, and, it's fair to say, with great precision.
SMITH JR.
: Instead of coming out, the fingers would come in for a curveball.
So everything's the same until that last -- the flick.
NARRATOR: Now for another trick with some embedded sneaky science.
-Ohh.
-That's close.
-NARRATOR: Rick makes a wish -Took them both out.
NARRATOR: and There it is! That's pretty amazing.
-That was awesome.
-Proof LIEBERMAN: Positive.
You're gonna have to see it.
NARRATOR: The high-speed footage is illuminating KEARNEY: This is accuracy right here.
NARRATOR: and surprising.
LIEBERMAN: You just sliced it in half.
SMITH JR.
: Cutting the wick in half.
LIEBERMAN: Wow, you could see the smoke come off immediately.
SMITH JR.
: And the fire's following it.
NARRATOR: The flame appears to have gone out, but then it rises again.
A flat, spinning card doesn't produce much wind.
But as this card makes contact with the candle, the impact causes a brief corrugation.
And that corrugation pushes a pressure shock wave through the surrounding air -- wind.
That is the coolest shot I have ever seen.
NARRATOR: We've seen what happens when a playing card is turned into a lethal weapon.
Looks easy.
But as is so often the case in life, looks can be deceiving.
See for yourself.
I'm gonna teach you guys how to throw a playing card.
Okay, sounds great.
All you have to do -- take your card, throw it, and hit the pumpkin.
Nice and easy.
Hit the pumpkin.
-It's that easy.
-Oh! He got it! That was nice.
Good job.
-Feel a lot of pressure.
-Now you got to do it.
-Got to hit the pumpkin.
-I'm hitting the pumpkin.
What time is my bus? [Laughs.]
NARRATOR: Now back to the main event and our grand finale.
Let's do this.
NARRATOR: Rather than putting flames out, we're going to follow "Time Warp's" penchant for going out with a bang -- a gas-filled balloon held captive between hoops of fire! Not exactly scientific, but way cool! Bam! -Wow! -That was sweet.
NARRATOR: Uh, guys, forget anything? Okay, let's get the gas off.
- [Blowing.]
-Other way.
-NARRATOR: Thank you.
-That's better.
Something you want to see warped? Check us out on the Discovery Channel Website -- discovery.
com/timewarp -- and the warp you see just might be your own.
Do I have tracks on my nose now? -You do.
-Thanks very much.