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Host Adam Conover employs a combination of comedy, history and science to dispel widespread misconceptions about everything we take for granted.
Now playingSeason 1, Episode 1
Watching1. Adam Ruins Giving
Adam exposes why shoe companies that give away free footwear do more harm than good, and explains why you should stop giving food pantries your leftover canned goods.
2. Adam Ruins Security
Adam sets his sights on security, explaining that airport security wastes too much of our time and money, medicine safety seals do nothing to protect us, and your credit card number isn't remotely secure.
3. Adam Ruins Cars
Adam exposes the surprising truths behind car dealerships, and the fact that the concept of "jaywalking" was created by auto manufacturers to blame pedestrians for car crashes.
4. Adam Ruins Forensic Science
Adam uncovers the scary truth behind unreliable methods used as evidence in criminal cases. He exposes the flaws of fingerprinting, hair strand matches and bite mark analysis - which often send innocent people to jail.
5. Adam Ruins Restaurants
Adam explains why tipping is a custom worth ditching, shows that experts can't tell the difference between wines, and reveals that mislabeled seafood is rampant in the industry.
6. Adam Ruins Hygiene
Adam reveals that the term "halitosis" was popularized in a 1920's ad campaign that used cruel ads to make people insecure about their breath, and explains why running water is one of the greatest miracles of modern times.
7. Adam Ruins Voting
The twisted history of the Electoral College, explaining that the Founding Fathers did not want most Americans to vote.
8. Adam Ruins Work
Adam shows how the 40-hour work week not only exhausts employees but also harms businesses, reveals the legal mess of hiring interns and freelancers, and explores how discussing your salary with co-workers is actually a good thing.
9. Adam Ruins Summer Fun
Adam reveals that extended vacation makes you dumber, and that iconic rodent Mickey Mouse has made a mess of our copyright laws.
10. Adam Ruins Sex
This episode explains why circumcision is common in the United States, how Herpes isn't as scary as the media makes it seem, how most people do not truly understand the hymen, and explains the worst sexual problem of all.
11. Adam Ruins Nutrition
Adam shows why vitamin supplements don't make us any healthier, that the "balanced breakfast" we've been sold is anything but, and reveals how most of the nutritional science the media reports on isn't science at all.
12. Adam Ruins Death
In a limbo setting, Adam exhibits several failed attempts at terrestrial immortality, and reveals the American funeral industry's more exploitive tactics of mourners. After his date dies in a freak accident, however, he concedes that grappling with uncertainty with death can be just as healthy as clear-cut answers.
13. Adam Ruins Hollywood
Straight from the red carpet (and with the help of celebrity guests Rachel Bloom and Ariana Madix), Adam exposes the hidden truths behind Hollywood's glitz and glamour, from the clothes stars wear to the process behind movie ratings.
14. Adam Ruins Football
Adam hits the gridiron to illustrate why the playoffs rarely determine which team is best, then he explores how hydration myths spread by sports drink companies are putting kids at risk. Adam also tackles football-caused brain injuries.
15. Adam Ruins Weddings
Emily and Murph's wedding day is finally here - but Adam's gift of information may rain on their parade. Adam reveals how most wedding "traditions" were recently created by consumerism, and that divorce is actually a wonderful thing.
16. Adam Ruins Malls
Adam illustrates that shopping centres were created as tax loopholes for greedy developers, outlet stores are a scam selling low quality merchandise, and nutrient supplements are often dangerously unregulated.
17. Adam Ruins Animals
Adam explores how purebred dogs are genetic monsters created by bored Victorians and reveals how domestic cats are overpopulated, lethal killing machines.
18. Adam Ruins Immigration
19. Adam Ruins Housing
Adam gets evicted from his home, and while searching for a new place, he exposes the harsh realities of real estate. Plus, Adam explains why helping the homeless is a lot simpler and more straightforward than you might think.
20. Adam Ruins Drugs
Adam weeds through the misconceptions of marijuana and exposes the blunt truth about the War on Drugs - that it stemmed from a racist and political agenda. Plus, Adam illustrates why prescription pills are the true gateway drug.
21. Adam Ruins Prison
When Emily gets tossed in the slammer, her cellmate reveals that corporations make money off prison inmates while the system does nothing to reduce crime. Adam then sheds light on jail rehabilitation and solitary confinement.
22. Adam Ruins the Wild West
Adam reveals how prostitution - despite its reputation - actually helped settle the West. He then explains why the "All-American Cowboy" is a myth and that the real western hero wasn't a person; it was air conditioning.
23. Adam Ruins the Internet
While on a magical technological journey, Adam shows that smartphones are not the society-killers you'd think they are, American cable service providers are basically cartels, and most "free" sites are actually very costly.
24. Adam Ruins Justice
After getting Emily out of prison, Adam and his sister Rhea take on the justice system; shining a spotlight on the infamous McDonalds hot coffee lawsuit and the substantial problems with the jury duty system.
25. Adam Ruins Christmas
Ho ho...huh?! Adam teaches his sister that the real St. Nick story is a lot creepier than she thought, and modern Santa was created by commercialism only a century ago. Adam also reveals how gift-giving actually hurts the economy.
26. Adam Ruins Going Green
Adam meets a young dad on a personal mission to save the world and end climate change...until Adam turns his world upside down. Find out why electric cars and green products don't make the impact you've been promised.
7.5