Sliced

Episode 1

Coin Operated Games

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 22 mins

Coin operated games have been around for nearly 50 years. Since the beginning, players found tricks to beating the odds and keeping their quarters. Manufacturers have countered with special features to stop cheating. Host John McCalmont dissects a pinball machine, a slot machine and a pool table to determine if it's still possible to cheat games--or if the cheat is always on you.

Episode 2

Armored Car

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 22 mins

When armored vehicles first rolled into battle nearly a century ago, a large steel plate blanketed the entire car. Today's armored vehicles are the ultimate in stealth--they look like ordinary cars but just beneath the surface is a full array of technological advances that enables passengers to survive direct assaults.

Episode 3

Toys

Thu, Apr 29, 2010 22 mins

They may seem childlike on the outside, but what's on the inside of toys will surprise kids of all ages. Are the odds against you when you consult the Magic 8-Ball? Which toy car is fastest in a head-to-head race? And why does shaking erase an Etch-a-Sketch? John McCalmont takes apart our favorite childhood icons to discover the secrets inside the toys we never outgrew.

Episode 4

Kitchen

Fri, Sep 11, 2026

Episode 5

Power Tools

Thu, May 6, 2010 22 mins

Humans have been using tools since the Stone Age. But adding electric power just over a century ago changed our tools--and our lives--forever. To find out how, John's putting them to the test--chainsaws, nail guns, and power lifters. He'll discover which tools are up to the challenge and which ones don't make the cut.

Episode 6

Fire Truck

Sat, Jun 5, 2010

Episode 7

Bathroom Disaster

Thu, May 13, 2010 22 mins

The bathroom--where water and electric appliances come together--can be the most dangerous room in your home. To discover the dirty secrets hidden inside your bathroom, John's cutting into toilets, hairdryers and a shower. He'll debunk the myths and shed light on the shocking dangers--so you don't have to learn the hard way.

Episode 8

Saloon

Thu, May 13, 2010 22 mins

We've been drinking beer for over 10,000 years. But we're still searching for the secret to pouring the perfect pint. John's stepping behind the bar at his local watering hole to dissect beer taps, shred a jukebox, and carve up a mechanical bull--all to find out what lies within. Then he'll put his skills to the ultimate test--riding a real rodeo bull.

Episode 9

Spy Car

Episode 10

Golf

Episode 11

Garbage Truck

Thu, May 27, 2010 22 mins

American cities began collecting trash over 200 years ago. But the compacting garbage truck--invented in 1938--opened the door to widespread waste management. Now, John's got one of these ultra-modern compactors at his disposal. He's going to put this massive machine to the test. Can it eat a limo? How much can it hold? And can a garbage truck really be clean?

Episode 12

Vending Machines

Thu, May 27, 2010 22 mins

The first vending machine was built in Greece nearly 2000 years ago and sold Holy Water. But today, there's a vending machine for almost everything from packed snacks to home made ice cream. John cuts behind the face to reveal how these once simple machines are simple no longer.

Episode 13

Electronics

Episode 14

Episode #1.14

22 mins

Humans have been bowling for over 5000 years. But the popular indoor version we all know didn't appear until 1840. Today, nearly 100 million people worldwide bowl every year. To discover the secrets at the end of this dark alley, John's slicing up bowling balls, a bowling alley, a ball return, and the mysterious pinsetter.

Episode 15

Bank Heist

Sat, Jun 19, 2010 22 mins

Every year, there are nearly 10,000 bank robberies and more than 1.5 million home burglaries in the United States. But how hard is it to break in? John's slicing into locks, safes, and bank vaults to find out the secret to keeping valuables in and the criminals out.

Episode 16

Episode #1.16

John slices up TVs, a stereo, and a camera to reveal the secrets to images, photos and sound .

Episode 17

Robots

Sat, Oct 2, 2010 22 mins

The first robots were simple machines built by the ancient Greeks. Today's advanced robots perform thousands of human-like tasks. But are they artificially intelligent ... or just intelligently designed? To find the secrets behind the circuits, John's slicing a Roomba, a fortune-telling Zoltar, an industrial robot arm, and some terrain-exploring toy robots.

Episode 18

Gas Station

Sat, Oct 2, 2010 22 mins

The first gas pump appeared in 1885. Today, the United States has over 117,000 gas stations--pumping nearly 400 million gallons of gasoline. But how safe are gas stations, and the tankers that deliver gasoline? What technology is in place to prevent a spill ... that could lead to a deadly explosion?