Post by Cybermortis on Mar 31, 2013 23:10:17 GMT
About a month ago I decided to try something tricky - to get an interview with one of the Mythbusters who never gives interviews. I wasn't expecting to have any success, but was more than a little surprised when they were willing to talk to me - at least for a price.
The filming schedule, and terms of their probation, was such that while they agreed to the interview they were unable to find the time to answer until late March.
I'd like to extend a very special thanks to Producer Dan Tapster from Mythbusters who helped translate the replies and who acted as something of a go-between while we were discussing terms and fees.
So here it is, the world exclusive interview.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure on April 1st 2013 to give you...
Buster 2.0
****
Thank you so much for consenting to giving an interview. Would I be correct in thinking that you have never given an interview before? My impression is that you usually allow the lesser known members of the cast to get more exposure by answering questions on your behalf.
BUSTER - While I have been the subject of an Entertainment Weekly Behind the Scenes, this is indeed my first interview. Your impression as to why, however, is wholly incorrect. I really couldn't give a **** about those other cast members who abuse me physically and psychologically week in, week out.
The reason that this is my first interview is solely because you're the first person who has been willing to meet the fee that my agent has set.
You did.
Fool.
Has it been difficult stepping into your fathers shoes?
BUSTER - I had a difficult relationship with my father. Usually by the time he came back from work, he was exhausted, battered, bruised and generally not really into the whole father/son thing. For most of my childhood he was like a bear with a sore head and I did what I could to avoid him. It was a survival of the fittest situation.
I still remember the day that Jamie came around to our house saying that Buster had been blown to kingdom come while wearing a pair of exploding trousers. To be honest, I didn't shed a tear.
As for stepping into his shoes, luckily, being a crash test dummy, that part came naturally.
We often hear how Mythbusters has a family air, but of course in your case this is literal as Adam is your half brother. Were you always aware of the family connection, and what is it like working together?
BUSTER - When Dad uttered those words*, I was pretty gobsmacked to be honest. But not as surprised as my mom who threw dad out of the house for close to a year - only letting him back because he got wheeled in there by Kari.
As for Adam, he and I aren't close. I'm sure you can imagine that the nature of our relationship - being so reliant on physical battery - is hardly a great basis to get along.
Plus, he's ginger and I have a phobia of ginger people.
{*Interviewers note; Buster Jr is referring to his Fathers revelation in the Jet Taxi revisit, the line was 'Adam, I am your father'}
What is an average working day like for Buster?
BUSTER - That's a hard question to answer. I pretty much have two sorts of days at MythBusters. The first is what I call the RnR day - the Relax and Recuperate Day. These are the days I like. I chill on a gurney or a wheelchair or sometimes just a table with literally nothing to do. I specialise in the art of zen.
Then there's the day of pain. The 50 shades of grey day without the good bits. These days I'm usually wheeled into a truck, dropped out, and then positioned in the firing line for something painful. Sometimes I enjoy it (like in Fireworks Man 2 - man, that was a wild ride) but if it's being dropped or hit by cars,
I'm not really into it.
Which of the two teams do you find is more fun to work with - in terms of myths they tackle rather than personalities?
BUSTER - Well listen, as already discussed, Adam and I aren't close. As for Jamie, well it's hard to bond with the person who killed your Dad - even if you didn't really like him. So I'd say I'm closer to Kari, Grant and Tory. I actually like to go out for a beer with Tory - and we recently did a great road trip for a forthcoming episode (in which I just chillax next to him all day). He's a great guy. Grant too and Kari, well let's just say that she gives a great massage. Seriously. But come on, no jokes about happy endings please.
What is the worst outfit you have been forced to wear on the show, and who's idea was that?
BUSTER - You know what, I enjoy dressing up. I did it as a way of keeping myself amused in an otherwise miserable childhood, so really, I'm all for it. What I hate, however, is being naked. I mean, some of this stuff they get me to do is embarrassing and humiliating already - doing it naked too, that's just taking the p*ss. Plus, they have never yet blurred my junk.
Thank you, I'll move on to questions from The Citadels Members;
BUSTER - Whatever
Lokifan wonders what you do for fun, any hobbies?
BUSTER - On screen I'm a pro - I do what I'm asked and don't complain which is quite something given the crap I'm asked to do. But outside work, I'm an animal. I've got issues (see childhood references) and I've got vices: gambling, tequila and women. Not always in that order. I'm not allowed in to Vegas and a court order states that I can't go within 500 feet of some of the clubs like Tony Soprano would enjoy.
What has been YOUR favourite "what the hell are we doing" moment? From The Light Works.
BUSTER - In a forthcoming episode, I'm wedged in between two massively obese cops to see if their flab can protect me in a truck T-bone. That I didn't like. I'm not a big fan of cops (see earlier reference to court orders), and I don't really tolerate obesity if I'm honest. I'm one of those lucky guys who stays trim without having to work out, so you know, I was pretty cranky that day. If they'd brought donuts I would have thought more of them but they didn't. Maybe they were dieting. But as the truck headed towards me as I sat in the back seat of Adam's first car (yeah, weird right) wedged between two corpulent cops, I was wondering whether there was more to life than this.
Blazerrose wonders; What's the favourite place you've been for the show, whether for a location shoot or a for presentation?
BUSTER - With work, the best place I've been to was the Bahamas. I went with Dad when he did the Shark Special. I got to just hang out with Kari while laughing at Dad's "novelty fists". I tell you, he was made that day.
Outside of work, I once went to Amsterdam and I better leave that one at that.
With all the odd things you do on the show, do you ever find yourself thinking "It can't get any weirder than this"? From Antigone68104.
BUSTER - Not any more. I used to think that but these guys always come up with something weirder. They're pretty depraved you know.
Lex of Sydney Australia asks What was the myth that you hated doing the most & why?
BUSTER - Generally, I'm not a fan of being set on fire. Car crashes, drops, that sort of thing, I can take but I don't like being set alight. I don't know, call me old fashioned. In the recent Bond Car Flip, I thought it was obvious that I was going to get singed, but they ignored me and went ahead and did it and what do you know, chargrilled crash test dummy.
Have you ever looked back at a myth, or a particular aspect of testing a myth, and thought "what the hell were they thinking?" From PK.
BUSTER - Man, we just filmed a Zombie Special. It's truly awesome but come on, zombies and science? WTF is with that?
GTCGreg would like to know; How much input do you have as to how a myth will be tested?
BUSTER - Not much. My Dad really tried to get involved but I think that the guys started abusing him more with that. It was like they wanted him to get back in his box, so I just leave it. With the hosts, the producers, the scientific advisor's there's enough people having an opinion on how something's tested. I just do what I'm told. Try and lay low and do what I'm told.
Blazerrose wonders; Where does Buster live?
BUSTER - I live in the Castro district of San Fran but I can't be any more specific than that. I've had my share of stalkers so let's leave it there.
If you were stuck on a desert island with just one of your fellow Mythbusters for the rest of your life who would it be & why? From Lex Of Sydney Australia.
BUSTER - Kari. And I think the reason is obvious. You know what I'm saying?
The Urban Mythbuster asks If you weren't on the Mythbuster team, what do you think you would be doing right now?
BUSTER - I'd be a crash test dummy. What sort of question is this?
Which of your Mythbusting "battle scars" (you must have a lot) are you most proud of and why? From OziRiS.
BUSTER - I'm not proud of any. Being abused is not something to boast about.
FormerMarine0341 asks; Do you have a "Bucket List" and if so, how many "things to do" are on it?
BUSTER - I do. It's long.
Nothing on it is legal.
Thank you for spending the time to answer some questions. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans before we end?
BUSTER - Yeah there is one thing. I hate mannequins. There I said it.
Call it ego, call me Narcissistic but I want to be on screen and when I see the guys use mannequins or worse, foam cut outs. Man it p*sses me off.
Then there's this new kid on the block - Syndaver. Well, he and I are not seeing eye to eye at all. Crash test dummies are the way forward and I hope that people out there will let the MythBusters know that.
I'm not saying we need to start a Save Buster campaign but I am going to be speaking to my union about it.
The filming schedule, and terms of their probation, was such that while they agreed to the interview they were unable to find the time to answer until late March.
I'd like to extend a very special thanks to Producer Dan Tapster from Mythbusters who helped translate the replies and who acted as something of a go-between while we were discussing terms and fees.
So here it is, the world exclusive interview.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure on April 1st 2013 to give you...
Buster 2.0
****
Thank you so much for consenting to giving an interview. Would I be correct in thinking that you have never given an interview before? My impression is that you usually allow the lesser known members of the cast to get more exposure by answering questions on your behalf.
BUSTER - While I have been the subject of an Entertainment Weekly Behind the Scenes, this is indeed my first interview. Your impression as to why, however, is wholly incorrect. I really couldn't give a **** about those other cast members who abuse me physically and psychologically week in, week out.
The reason that this is my first interview is solely because you're the first person who has been willing to meet the fee that my agent has set.
You did.
Fool.
Has it been difficult stepping into your fathers shoes?
BUSTER - I had a difficult relationship with my father. Usually by the time he came back from work, he was exhausted, battered, bruised and generally not really into the whole father/son thing. For most of my childhood he was like a bear with a sore head and I did what I could to avoid him. It was a survival of the fittest situation.
I still remember the day that Jamie came around to our house saying that Buster had been blown to kingdom come while wearing a pair of exploding trousers. To be honest, I didn't shed a tear.
As for stepping into his shoes, luckily, being a crash test dummy, that part came naturally.
We often hear how Mythbusters has a family air, but of course in your case this is literal as Adam is your half brother. Were you always aware of the family connection, and what is it like working together?
BUSTER - When Dad uttered those words*, I was pretty gobsmacked to be honest. But not as surprised as my mom who threw dad out of the house for close to a year - only letting him back because he got wheeled in there by Kari.
As for Adam, he and I aren't close. I'm sure you can imagine that the nature of our relationship - being so reliant on physical battery - is hardly a great basis to get along.
Plus, he's ginger and I have a phobia of ginger people.
{*Interviewers note; Buster Jr is referring to his Fathers revelation in the Jet Taxi revisit, the line was 'Adam, I am your father'}
What is an average working day like for Buster?
BUSTER - That's a hard question to answer. I pretty much have two sorts of days at MythBusters. The first is what I call the RnR day - the Relax and Recuperate Day. These are the days I like. I chill on a gurney or a wheelchair or sometimes just a table with literally nothing to do. I specialise in the art of zen.
Then there's the day of pain. The 50 shades of grey day without the good bits. These days I'm usually wheeled into a truck, dropped out, and then positioned in the firing line for something painful. Sometimes I enjoy it (like in Fireworks Man 2 - man, that was a wild ride) but if it's being dropped or hit by cars,
I'm not really into it.
Which of the two teams do you find is more fun to work with - in terms of myths they tackle rather than personalities?
BUSTER - Well listen, as already discussed, Adam and I aren't close. As for Jamie, well it's hard to bond with the person who killed your Dad - even if you didn't really like him. So I'd say I'm closer to Kari, Grant and Tory. I actually like to go out for a beer with Tory - and we recently did a great road trip for a forthcoming episode (in which I just chillax next to him all day). He's a great guy. Grant too and Kari, well let's just say that she gives a great massage. Seriously. But come on, no jokes about happy endings please.
What is the worst outfit you have been forced to wear on the show, and who's idea was that?
BUSTER - You know what, I enjoy dressing up. I did it as a way of keeping myself amused in an otherwise miserable childhood, so really, I'm all for it. What I hate, however, is being naked. I mean, some of this stuff they get me to do is embarrassing and humiliating already - doing it naked too, that's just taking the p*ss. Plus, they have never yet blurred my junk.
Thank you, I'll move on to questions from The Citadels Members;
BUSTER - Whatever
Lokifan wonders what you do for fun, any hobbies?
BUSTER - On screen I'm a pro - I do what I'm asked and don't complain which is quite something given the crap I'm asked to do. But outside work, I'm an animal. I've got issues (see childhood references) and I've got vices: gambling, tequila and women. Not always in that order. I'm not allowed in to Vegas and a court order states that I can't go within 500 feet of some of the clubs like Tony Soprano would enjoy.
What has been YOUR favourite "what the hell are we doing" moment? From The Light Works.
BUSTER - In a forthcoming episode, I'm wedged in between two massively obese cops to see if their flab can protect me in a truck T-bone. That I didn't like. I'm not a big fan of cops (see earlier reference to court orders), and I don't really tolerate obesity if I'm honest. I'm one of those lucky guys who stays trim without having to work out, so you know, I was pretty cranky that day. If they'd brought donuts I would have thought more of them but they didn't. Maybe they were dieting. But as the truck headed towards me as I sat in the back seat of Adam's first car (yeah, weird right) wedged between two corpulent cops, I was wondering whether there was more to life than this.
Blazerrose wonders; What's the favourite place you've been for the show, whether for a location shoot or a for presentation?
BUSTER - With work, the best place I've been to was the Bahamas. I went with Dad when he did the Shark Special. I got to just hang out with Kari while laughing at Dad's "novelty fists". I tell you, he was made that day.
Outside of work, I once went to Amsterdam and I better leave that one at that.
With all the odd things you do on the show, do you ever find yourself thinking "It can't get any weirder than this"? From Antigone68104.
BUSTER - Not any more. I used to think that but these guys always come up with something weirder. They're pretty depraved you know.
Lex of Sydney Australia asks What was the myth that you hated doing the most & why?
BUSTER - Generally, I'm not a fan of being set on fire. Car crashes, drops, that sort of thing, I can take but I don't like being set alight. I don't know, call me old fashioned. In the recent Bond Car Flip, I thought it was obvious that I was going to get singed, but they ignored me and went ahead and did it and what do you know, chargrilled crash test dummy.
Have you ever looked back at a myth, or a particular aspect of testing a myth, and thought "what the hell were they thinking?" From PK.
BUSTER - Man, we just filmed a Zombie Special. It's truly awesome but come on, zombies and science? WTF is with that?
GTCGreg would like to know; How much input do you have as to how a myth will be tested?
BUSTER - Not much. My Dad really tried to get involved but I think that the guys started abusing him more with that. It was like they wanted him to get back in his box, so I just leave it. With the hosts, the producers, the scientific advisor's there's enough people having an opinion on how something's tested. I just do what I'm told. Try and lay low and do what I'm told.
Blazerrose wonders; Where does Buster live?
BUSTER - I live in the Castro district of San Fran but I can't be any more specific than that. I've had my share of stalkers so let's leave it there.
If you were stuck on a desert island with just one of your fellow Mythbusters for the rest of your life who would it be & why? From Lex Of Sydney Australia.
BUSTER - Kari. And I think the reason is obvious. You know what I'm saying?
The Urban Mythbuster asks If you weren't on the Mythbuster team, what do you think you would be doing right now?
BUSTER - I'd be a crash test dummy. What sort of question is this?
Which of your Mythbusting "battle scars" (you must have a lot) are you most proud of and why? From OziRiS.
BUSTER - I'm not proud of any. Being abused is not something to boast about.
FormerMarine0341 asks; Do you have a "Bucket List" and if so, how many "things to do" are on it?
BUSTER - I do. It's long.
Nothing on it is legal.
Thank you for spending the time to answer some questions. Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans before we end?
BUSTER - Yeah there is one thing. I hate mannequins. There I said it.
Call it ego, call me Narcissistic but I want to be on screen and when I see the guys use mannequins or worse, foam cut outs. Man it p*sses me off.
Then there's this new kid on the block - Syndaver. Well, he and I are not seeing eye to eye at all. Crash test dummies are the way forward and I hope that people out there will let the MythBusters know that.
I'm not saying we need to start a Save Buster campaign but I am going to be speaking to my union about it.
