OU on the BBC: Hollywood Science - Gross Out

Production team

In this episode, Jonathan and Robert bravely dissect some of the most chunder-inducing scenes ever to make it to the silver screen.

The first clip to be given the Hollywood Science treatment, from the movie Waterworld, features half man, half fish, Kevin Costner purifying his own pee in a home made filtering device. So pure does his piddle become that he then takes a long cool swig. Would this really be possible or is it another case of Hollywood Science?

Next up it’s Fight Club, as Brad Pitt turns his hand to the art of soap making. But Brad isn’t content with producing just any old soap - what he wants to create is the richest soap money can buy. His plan ? To break into a beauty clinic and steal several bags of liposuction fat, “the richest, creamiest fat” on earth. So is human lipo fat really that much better for making soap, or is Brad pulling the wool over our eyes?

The last scene to be put under the microscope, from the movie The Great Outdoors, sees John Candy pushing his body to the limits. Feeling a little peckish Big John orders himself a six pound steak, which he promptly finishes off. Could his stomach have taken that much meat or would his meal have in fact ended up on the floor?

First broadcast: Wednesday 2 Apr 2003 on BBC TWO

Hollywood Science in more depth: