Host Adam Conover employs a combination of comedy, history and science to dispel widespread misconceptions about everything we take for granted.
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YouTube TV
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see all options Availability data: JustWatch
- Seasons
- 3
- Episodes aired
- 64
- Latest aired
- S03E12
- Total runtime
- 1d 8h
Timeline when each season aired
- Season 1 September 2015 – December 2016 26 episodes
- Season 2 July 2017 – December 2018 26 episodes
- Season 3 January 2019 – October 2019 12 episodes
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S01E01 Adam Ruins Giving
September 29 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E02 Adam Ruins Security
October 6 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E03 Adam Ruins Cars
October 13 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E04 Adam Ruins Forensic Science
October 20 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E05 Adam Ruins Restaurants
October 27 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E06 Adam Ruins Hygiene
November 3 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E07 Adam Ruins Voting
November 10 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
The twisted history of the Electoral College, explaining that the Founding Fathers did not want most Americans to vote.
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S01E08 Adam Ruins Work
November 17 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E09 Adam Ruins Summer Fun
December 1 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
Adam reveals that extended vacation makes you dumber, and that iconic rodent Mickey Mouse has made a mess of our copyright laws.
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S01E10 Adam Ruins Sex
December 8 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E11 Adam Ruins Nutrition
December 15 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E12 Adam Ruins Death
December 22 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E13 Adam Ruins Hollywood
August 23 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E14 Adam Ruins Football
August 30 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E15 Adam Ruins Weddings
September 6 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E16 Adam Ruins Malls
September 13 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E17 Adam Ruins Animals
September 20 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
Adam explores how purebred dogs are genetic monsters created by bored Victorians and reveals how domestic cats are overpopulated, lethal killing machines.
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S01E18 Adam Ruins Immigration
September 27 · 30min find the promo
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S01E19 Adam Ruins Housing
October 4 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E20 Adam Ruins Drugs
November 15 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E21 Adam Ruins Prison
November 22 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E22 Adam Ruins the Wild West
November 29 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E23 Adam Ruins the Internet
December 6 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E24 Adam Ruins Justice
December 13 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E25 Adam Ruins Christmas
December 20 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.
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S01E26 Adam Ruins Going Green
December 27 · 30min find the promo
Show synopsis
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.