Killer Robots on the Science Channel – How Grant Imahara Stalled Judgment Day

Judgment Day recently came and went (see Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, not Harold Camping’s Family Radio Rapture claim) without an obvious attack by Skynet. MythBuster Grant Imahara, who has made us a few promises regarding preparations for the machine uprising, hosts the Science Channel’s robot combat program Killer Robots premiering Monday, Memorial Day. Coincidence? As if! Surely you can hear Grant now: “Okay, Skynet, I know you could launch an assault on the human race right now, but what if we give some killer machines their own TV show?”

Yesterday we looked at which robo death matches you guys would like to see and who you think would win between Robocop and Terminator (technically cyborgs, not robots, but I didn’t pick the fight). Now check out the Science Channel’s answer to Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots!

Previous posts:
* Killer Robots: Terminator vs. Robocop (Robots, Cyborgs…)
* Zombies, Killer Robots, Giant Slugs: Which Apocalypse Are You Ready For?
* MythBusters Test Movie Action
* Action Chick vs. iMan (webcomic)
* WARNING! Things to Stock Up on Before Skynet Attacks TOMORROW!

Press release
ROBOTS WILL RUMBLE ON SCIENCE THIS MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF KILLER ROBOTS: ROBOGAMES 2011

Grant Imahara of MYTHBUSTERS Hosts KILLER ROBOTS: ROBOGAMES 2011, Premiering Monday, May 30, at 9:00 PM ET/PT on SCIENCE –

(Silver Spring, MD) — Man-made metal monsters meet up on SCIENCE this Memorial Day in a sudden-death elimination battle to avoid the scrap heap. On Monday, May 30, at 9:00 ET/PT, SCIENCE’s signature SCI SPORTS franchise introduces its latest sensation, KILLER ROBOTS: ROBOGAMES 2011 . Like other SCI SPORTS events, including PUNKIN CHUNKIN and LARGE DANGEROUS ROCKETSHIPS, KILLER ROBOTS: ROBOGAMES 2011 follows everyday engineers and backyard brainiacs as they produce mechanized mayhem that’s as ingenious as it is dangerous. For 60 minutes, fire-breathing, blade-spinning robo-gladiators will face off in a bulletproof arena, where only one combatant can emerge victorious.

Grant Imahara of MYTHBUSTERS serves as tour guide for KILLER ROBOTS: ROBOGAMES 2011, guiding viewers through the International Robogames Competition in San Mateo, Calif. Hailed as the pop-culture robot king, Imahara has made a name for himself after creating the quirky Craig Ferguson sidekick Geoff Peterson. Grant brings his love for robots to the center of the ring as he hosts this three-day spectacle celebrating extreme robotics, where robo-enthusiasts unite to witness more than 70 different competitions. The marquee event is the winner-takes-all Heavyweight elimination bracket, where the 220-pound metal warriors fight to the death—and the last one standing is crowned King of the Killer Robots.

“At SCIENCE, we are the home for the unconventional thinkers who are impossible to put into a box,” said Debbie Adler Myers, executive vice president and general manager of SCIENCE. “KILLER ROBOTS: ROBOGAMES 2011 celebrates this subculture by revealing a world where mind-blowing science meets audacious imagination—resulting in action-packed television that is incredibly entertaining.”

“We’re thrilled that the sport of combat robots is being featured on SCIENCE,” said David Calkins, founder of RoboGames. “Building robots isn’t simple, but it’s easier than most people think. KILLER ROBOTS showcases the rogue genius spirit that defines the exciting competition at RoboGames every year.”

KILLER ROBOTS is produced for SCIENCE by Sharp Productions. For SCIENCE, Bernadette McDaid is vice president of production and executive producer. Matt Sharp is executive producer for Sharp Productions.

About SCIENCE: SCIENCE, a division of Discovery Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), is home for the thought provocateur, the individual who is unafraid to ask the killer questions of “how” and “why not.” The network is a playground for those with audacious intellects and features programming willing to go beyond imagination to explore the unknown. Guided by curiosity, SCIENCE looks for innovation in mysterious new worlds as well as in its own backyard. SCIENCE and the SCIENCE HD simulcast reach more than 68 million U.S. households. The network also features high-traffic online and social media destinations, including ScienceChannel.com, facebook.com/ScienceChannel and twitter.com/ScienceChannel.

About ROBOGAMES: RoboGames was founded as the ROBOlympics in 2004. Founder David Calkins, who worked with all types of robot competitions, realized the need for cross-pollination between events, as too many robot builders overspecialized within their own field. By bringing builders from combat robotics (mechanical engineering) together with soccer robotics (computer programming), sumo robotics (sensors), androids (motion control) and art robots (aesthetics), robot builders could exchange ideas and learn more. The second goal of RoboGames was to offer recognition to engineers from around the world in varying disciplines with consistent rule sets and low-cost or free contestant fees. RoboGames never charges kids or primary/secondary schools an entry fee. By offering gold, silver and bronze medals, and inviting the best robot builders from countries other than just the United States, RoboGames gives everyone a chance to excel on a level playing field. More information at http://www.robogames.net.