Interview: Kari Byron (‘Mythbusters’)

It’s a banner week for “Mythbusters,” the Discovery Network show that dares to dream of big projects and blow them to smithereens. On Monday, hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman were on hand at the White House for President Obama’s unveiling of the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Initiative.

Wednesday night, Kari Byron hosts a live Twitter chat (through the official Mythbusters Twitter feed) during a new episode, prior to a Thanksgiving Day marathon of “Mythbusters” episodes. The Wednesday episode (airing at 8:00 pm CT) features the final segments shot before Byron left for maternity leave. The team’s artist-in-residence gave birth to Stella Ruby on June 28.

Red Carpet Crash talked with Byron about all things Mythbusters and motherhood:

RCC: From your debut on the show as a “butt model” to an integral part of the Mythbusters crew, you’ve become a fan favorite on “Mythbusters.” Did you have any clue early on that your role would become this prominent?

No way! I sort of tripped and fell into Mythbusters. I can’t believe this has become my life. It is crazy how big the show has gotten.

Congratulations on the birth of Stella Ruby -

Thanks. She is an amazing baby.

Fans kept track of Stella’s arrival through Grant Imahara’s Twitter posts. Are you going to jump in to the fray with your own Twitter account?

No, I don’t have any plans for a personal Twitter. I communicate through Grant’s if I need to speak to the world. Between being back to work from maternity leave and raising Stella, there is no time for social networking.

Were you hesitant to work on the show while in the later months of your pregnancy?

I love being a Mythbuster. I worked almost to my due date. Everyone helped me adjust, so I didn’t need to worry about being pregnant.

Is there a single experiment that stands out through the seasons as your favorite?

My favorite episode constantly changes. Up to this point, “Demolition Derby,” where we dropped a car from a helicopter to meet a speeding car on the ground, was my favorite. I have to say that “Death by Diving” is a close second. That is this week’s episode. It is so “Mythbuster-y” – great story, great science, great builds, and a cool outcome. It’s actually the episode where I bow out half way through to have my daughter. My stand-in, Jessie, is great, and helps Tory and Grant finish the story in such a fabulous way.

Jamie and Adam were guests at the White House this week as a part of the new STEM initiative. How surreal is it to have the President namechecking the Mythbusters?

“Mythbusters” has become a pop culture icon. The fact that the president has even heard of us, blows me away. I guess we have really made it. It will take me a while to truly process it.

Thanks, Kari. Your “zombie dog” creation will haunt me for the rest of my days.

“Mythbusters” airs Wednesdays on the Discovery Channel, and 9:00 am – 3:00 am ET (8:00 am – 2:00 am CT) Thanksgiving Day.