Catch It Keep It

Catch It Keep It, a thrilling television series aired on the Science Channel in 2009, sought to combine elements of science, suspense, competition, and intuitiveness, all while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. This was a show that challenged contestants with an approbation for science, education, and creative problem solving to utilize basic principles and innovative schemes to prevent the destruction of valuable prized possessions.

The premise of the show is fascinating and original, masterfully combining suspense and science. Each episode presented a trio of contestants with a precious prize that could range from a high-end stereo system, a vintage motorcycle, new technology, or top-tier appliances. However, the excitement didn't stop there. Contestants were informed that their much-desired prize was on death row, destined for imminent destruction in a unique, unpredictable, and dramatic fashion. The imminent doom could be anything from being dropped from a considerable height, crushed under immense weight, or even incinerated.

The contestants were then given a challenge - they could keep the prize, but only if they could catch it. Using their combined intellect, creativity, collaboration, resourcefulness, and a budget of $100, the contestants had to design and construct a contraption capable of saving the prize from its destructive end without sustaining any damage itself within a definite timeline. The inbuilt thrill of the show was not just about winning the prize, but also about beating the system and defying the laws of destruction, which in themselves could range from science, engineering to mechanical principles.

The show was hosted by Mike Senese, who would often double as an almost jovial but deceptively foxy villain. His enthusiastic buildup to the dramatic conclusions added an undeniable flair to the show. Senese's mechanical expertise also offered a significant educational element to the show. His ingenious ways of setting up the impending doom and his easy-to-understand scientific explanations help in breaking down complex science and engineering concepts, making Catch It Keep It not just entertaining, but also educating.

The workshops and tools provided to the contestants reflected a practical and hands-on version of scientific immersion. The show encouraged the use of physical sciences, engineering principles, like mechanical advantage, leverage, and suspensions, coupled with the clever and inventive use of simple materials to construct a rescue device. The strategies ranged from simple Rube Goldberg devices to sophisticated mechanical designs. The open-ended nature of the challenges sparked creative problem-solving, teamwork, and robust scientific principles. In essence, the show celebrated science and engineering marvels camouflaged in an exhilarating reality game show.

To add to the thrilling climax of every episode would be the finale "destruction or salvation test". All the installations, the careful planning, the precision and hard work put into constructing the saving contraption came down to a nail-biting climax. In true reality show fashion, this test was conducted live and under real-world conditions. Would the team's creation be sufficient to save the prize from impending catastrophe?

Catch It Keep It boasted a fast-paced, suspense-filled, and scientifically illuminating style that delighted audiences and appealed to anyone with an interest in puzzling problems, hands-on construction, emotional investment, and entertaining competition. By rooting its foundation in science and engineering, the show offers a unique twist to the traditional reality TV formula, making it a stand-out production in its own right.

This Science Channel show was a fantastic mix of education and entertainment, combined in a format that was as compelling as it was enlightening. Though aired only for a season in 2009, Catch It Keep It remains a noteworthy testament to the fascinating interplay of science, problem-solving ingenuity, camaraderie, and suspense, making it a must-watch for lovers of reality competitions and science alike.