Episode 4 Officially Amazing

This is the world of records...

# Officially...

# Biggest shoe, weirdest face

# Fastest loo, tightest space

# Longest snake, smallest band

# Heaviest cake, tallest man

-# Longest ears on a dog

-Aw!

-# Most poisonous frog

-Ah!

-# And a woman with a beard

-What?

# Officially, officially, officially...

# Amazing! #

Hello and welcome to Officially Amazing.

Now, if all you want to do all day is this...

..then I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place.

But if you want to see the likes of this...

and this...

then stand by,

because we've got records like that coming out of our ears!

Today's splendiferous Guinness World Record attempts include...

..this woman tries to pull this van with these ears.

..Al and I watch this man try

to bowl himself into the record books...

..and our official competitors

compete in a competition of cushions.

But first...

Mm! What could be better on a day like today than an ice lolly?

Don't you just love them? Full of frozen fruity goodness.

And today's record couldn't take place without these little fellas,

or, to be more precise, the stick, or as we call them

in the record-breaking biz, the stick bomb.

These are stick bombs. They're made up of thousands of lolly sticks.

They are fitted together to create tension, a bit like a coiled spring.

Put them together like this and you store potential energy in them.

Then, when you release the sticks,

it becomes kinetic energy and they explode one after the other.

However, if there's the tiniest of inaccuracies

in how they're woven together, it will affect the chain reaction

and the explosion will stop. It's a tricky, sticky business.

Can they be used to set a record today?

Do you know who first came up with the idea of frozen juice on a stick?

It was an 11-year-old American boy

who stumbled upon it quite by accident in 1905.

Meet Little Frankie Epperson.

As you can see, kids back then wore

pretty much the same clothes Ben does now.

Anyway, back then, to make a soft drink, you'd add soda powder

to water and give it a good stir using a mixing stick.

Frankie, you get back in here, boy!

One night, little Frankie left his drink outside on a really cold night.

OWL HOOTING

It was so cold that in the morning

the drink had frozen with the stick still in it.

And, hey presto, Frankie had invented the ice pop.

Oh, brain freeze!

Ben! You're meant to be American!

Oh... Dude! Brain freeze, man!

That's a terrible accent, let's just get on with the record.

Thanks, Al. So, how do you break a record with these exploding sticks?

Well, one way to do it is to head to Northampton,

take thousands of sticks and find some budding young boffins

to fit them together.

That's were teacher Stuart Burditt and his pupils come in.

Here they are looking brainy. Here they are doing Usain Bolt.

And here they are doing the mobot.

Well done, everyone.

So, what is the record you are attempting today?

We are attempting to let off the world's biggest stick bomb.

Once we've built the entire spiral, we're going to pull just one stick

out and they're all going to start jumping up in the air one by one.

To break the record, they need 9,912 sticks to explode.

So Mr Burditt and his team have spent three days

interlocking 13,000 sticks in this huge spiral pattern.

This is more than they need.

The extras will act as a safety buffer in case anything goes wrong.

Official adjudicator Frank has finished his checks

and the weights,

which stop an accidental explosion getting out of hand,

are all being removed.

This means the slightest knock could set the sticks off.

Oh, watch it! Aren't you listening?

Before it happens inadvertently, let's set them off...

eh...advertently.

Mr Burditt, how are you feeling?

I'm absolutely terrified.

And that is what every record breaker should

feel before the start of a record.

-But, surely, we're going to do this, right?

-I'm confident. I'm confident.

Due to your fear, I presume,

you've nominated one of your pupils to set this off.

So, the responsibility is on him. Who is it?

It's Toby.

OK, Toby. Well, if you want to stop forward...

OK, that's not a stick injury, by the way,

so don't worry, it's not that dangerous.

In your own time, let's break a record.

And it's off! What a cracking start that is! Look at it g... Oh.

Oh, dear.

Now, we'll just have to check, but I don't think that's the record.

-Frank?

-No, I'm afraid that is not a record.

-However...

There is still enough there.

So if we started again, we've still got a chance to break it.

So we've only lost a couple of hundred,

there's still more than enough to break this record.

Fingers crossed.

This is looking more like it.

Oh!

'Oh, no, not again!'

This is getting tense now.

We really need to start making this spiral work.

There are only 12,600 left.

Remember, they need 9,912 to explode

to get a new world record. Still doable.

Starting to look good.

Come on, come on.

Oh, oh, ho-ho!

It thought about it!

It's like the ebb and flow...

Oh, no!

Unbelievable!

So, we've set them off three times and they've failed three times.

We're now collecting up all the exploded sticks

and some of the marker flags,

as the team thinks that these might be affecting the explosions.

Hopefully, that will now set us on the way to a record.

Whilst they reset for another attempt,

Haruka's going to take you to Germany.

This is blobbing.

It involves two people jumping from diving board onto an inflatable

tube and seeing how high they can send someone else into the air.

Christian and Patrick will be jumping from a crane, and they are hoping to

launch their pal, Elvis, as high as possible and into the record books.

The current record height is 70m.

They're aiming to beat that today by firing Elvis 18m

up into the air.

And, to do that, they have to jump from way up here.

Aaaah!

Here they go.

Three, two, one, jump!

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the airbag.

He soars like an eagle!

And then plummets like a dead eagle.

Elvis is spinning like an odd sock left in the washing machine.

That was some serious airtime.

Don't try this at home with a paddling pool and a bouncy castle -

it won't end well.

So, is it a brand-new Guinness World Record?

Elvis needs to have reached a height of 18m.

Adjudicator Anna is checking the GPS reading on Elvis's

watch to see how high he flew.

Do we have a reason to celebrate today?

Well, the current record, as you know, was 17m.

HE TRANSLATES INTO GERMAN

And, boys, you did 18m!

They've done it!

It's a blobby record.

Back to Mr Burditt and his pupils to see if they can get a record, too.

Thanks, Haruka. Well, it's very tense here in Northampton.

Mr Burditt and his students spent three days setting up this giant

spiral and have already started the sticks exploding three times.

And now they're running out of sticks.

Remember, the Guinness World Record they have to beat

is 9,911 exploded sticks.

Frank, are we still confident that there is a record in there?

There's just enough here for a record.

There's about 600 more than we need.

But anything's possible when Officially Amazing is around.

So, Toby, off you go, let's do it.

Toby gently removing that stick to start the explosion again.

Could this be the record breaking attempt?

Come on!

Come on!

Oh!

How far's that?

OK, we've had four attempts,

and it looks like the fifth is going to be the last one because,

if you follow my finger to where that flag is, that's all the leeway

that we've got before we reach where the old record stands.

Anything beyond that and it stops, and the record is a no go.

So we've really got to hope that this time is the time.

Let's give it a go. Shall we get back in position, fellas?

OK, Toby, no pressure, but this is the last chance.

Let's go for it.

Oh!

How devastating!

They tried five times, but it just wasn't to be.

And so it's all over for Mr Burditt and his pupils.

It wasn't officially amazing, but it was still pretty amazing.

I think the only fitting way to end this would be to do to these

sticks what they always wanted to do, explode. Anyone with me?

-ALL: Yeah!

-Let's do it!

How unlucky! Well, let's not stick around.

Also going for a record today are three guys who are...

These are three of the world's leanest, meanest

and downright finest record-breaking machines.

They're going head-to-head with world records

and national pride at stake.

They are...

And, what's more, they're taking on records that you can try at home.

Representing the USA is the onesie-wearing whippet US Ray.

He's a back-flipping bouncing ball of all-American energy.

Representing the UK is Sizzling Steve.

Not as energetic as his American opponent,

but with a steely will to win, he's flying the flag for Old Blighty.

Finally, for Japan, it's the uniquely understated Mr Cherry.

Don't let his quiet exterior fool you...

Aaargh!

..this man's a record-breaking legend.

With three events completed, the competition couldn't be closer

as our trio of titans have each been victorious in one event.

With two world records being broken in the process.

For today's Officially Competitive challenge,

it's bottoms up,

as we see who can sit on the most whoopee cushions in 30 seconds.

'Last series, Mr Cherry broke the world record

'for cracking walnuts with his backside.

'I wonder if his buns of steel are up to this challenge.'

So, Cherry-san, last time you cracked walnuts with your bum.

Are you confident for this challenge, as well,

using your bottom?

-TRANSLATION:

-Oh, yes indeed, love.

My bum will help me win.

So, you are definitely confident with your bum?

OK, so here the rules.

The person attempting the record

must sit on each whoopee cushion individually.

Every cushion sat on must produce a noise resembling a...

BREAKING WIND

If the cushion explodes or rips, it will not count toward the total.

The current record is 37 whoopee cushions in 30 seconds.

Cherry-san, are you ready?

HE SHOUTS

-Adjudicator, are you ready?

-Yes.

THEY SPEAK IN JAPANESE

Three, two, one, go!

As usual Mr Cherry is impeccably vest - I mean dressed.

He's flying by the seat of his tiny pants here!

He's got the wind in his sails!

This is whoopee wizardry at its finest by Mr Cherry.

Whoops-i-daisy, he's reached the end of the line

and he's run out of cushions!

Stop!

One whoopee cushion at the death there, a cheeky effort by Mr Cherry.

While the official adjudicator checks his cushion count,

we're off to the USA and UK to see how our boys get on.

Three, two, one, go!

Ray set his chairs out in a circle, which is within the rules.

Will that give him the edge?

Sizzling Steve's gone for the straight-line approach.

Both need assistants on hand to keep a steady supply of whoopee cushions.

This is like the windiest game of musical chairs I've ever seen.

You need to go a bit faster there, Al, Ray's caught you up!

-I'm going as quick as I can!

-They're really letting rip,

but they need to make sure they're not ripping those whoopee cushions.

Stop!

That was a cacophony of whoopee cushioned craziness,

but who has sat on the most and do we have a world record on our hands?

Remember, the number to beat is 37 cushions.

US Ray is certainly confident.

The results are in.

In third place is...

the UK and Sizzling Steve, who sat on 29.

Hard luck there, Steve. Just not enough gas.

In second place is...

US Ray with 31.

He may not have won, but at least he and Al had windy fun.

That means today's victor is Japan and Mr Cherry.

His relentless straight-line approach was the best.

HE SHOUTS IN JAPANESE

Japanese sushi, tempura...

Boom, boom, boom!

We know he has won the contest,

but have we got a new world record on our hands?

The current record stands at 37.

I had to discount some that ripped or didn't make a sound.

So your final result is...

..48.

It's a new Guinness World Record.

HE YELLS

Yeah, number one to blow!

HE SHOUTS

He's clearly rather pleased.

That puts Mr Cherry into the overall lead for the competition.

The boys will be back next time to battle it out

in another officially exciting instalment

of Officially Competitive.

Oooh, pee, pee!

Oooh, pee, pee!!

Well, Cherry and his bum achieved

an unbelievable record-breaking feat.

But now for some record-breaking feet of a different kind.

# Amazing feats with their feet

# Wo-wo-wo-woah

# Soles with plenty of soul

# Amazing feats with their feet

# Wo-wo-wo-woah

# Toe-tally in control

# At eight-foot-eleven

# Robert Wadlow was the tallest fellow in history

# He also officially had the largest feet

# He could walk all over me

# Well, I hope you cut your toenails

# To stop them from growing bit by bit

# Louise Hollis had just over seven feet of toenails

# How on earth did she find socks to fit?

# Amazing feats with their feet

# Wo-wo-wo-woah

# Soles with plenty of soul

# Amazing feats with their feet

# Wo-wo-wo-woah

# Toe-tally in control

# Feet have been around for millions of years

# And I'll tell you what I recently saw

# A 136 centimetre footprint

# That belonged to a dinosaur

ROAR

# People try all kinds of silly stuff

# With those things that come out of your legs

# Like Ashrita, who used the all ten toes

# And in half a minute he crushed 39 eggs

# Suresh Joachim stayed on one foot for more than three days

# Until the other foot finally fell

# He must have been pretty bored

# But he sure could balance well

# Amazing feats with their feet

# Wo-wo-wo-woah

# Soles with plenty of soul

# Amazing feats with their feet

# Wo-wo-wo-woah

# Toe-tally in control

# Yeah! #

Last series we met Manjit Singh,

the Ironman of Leicester.

He's famed for lifting and pulling things with his hair and ears.

Here he is lifting me with them.

HE SCREAMS

But Manjit isn't getting any younger

and, like all great heroes,

he's realised that his time at the top is coming to an end.

He's no longer capable of performing

the same feats of strength he used to.

But he still spends hours in the gym staring aimlessly into space...

..fondly fondling gym apparatus

and dreaming of past glories.

But Manjit still has record-breaking ambitions,

and now he's got himself an apprentice, all the way from India.

And here she is, Asha Rani.

Asha is the heir to Manjit's throne.

Now he's hung up his ears, he's training her to become like him -

a world-record puller of heavy objects using different body parts.

Manjit truly is a great guru.

When I first met him, he showed me that it's not all about

brute strength, although that does come in handy.

He uses meditation to control his thoughts and make him even stronger,

something he's been teaching Asha.

As you can see, I'm in peak physical condition.

But, as I learned from Manjit, it's not all about muscles,

it's also in the mind.

I was so impressed by the techniques that you taught me,

Manjit, I've been applying them for an hour a day

and I now think I might even be better than young Asha over here.

-Shall we test it?

-Why not? Let's go for it.

Ah, waves breaking on a beach - classic.

Yeah, I mean, not bad, but check this out.

# Oppan Gangnam style

# Gangnam style

# Opp-opp-opp-opp

# Oppan Gangnam style. #

Close enough. Let's do this.

Today, Asha is going to try to break a record

by pulling this van with her ears.

You heard right - her ears!

The van weighs 1.7 tonnes

and she needs to move it 5m using only her ears.

Straps are attached to the vehicle at one end

and to Asha's ears at the other.

If it looks painful, that's because it is.

Will she be able to do her mentor Manjit proud

and get a brand-new Officially Amazing world record?

'Ere's hoping.

-Three, two, one, let's go!

-Come on!

Come on, Asha, the van is moving forward, that's incredible!

'Remember, she's pulling this 1.7 tonne van with just her ears.

'She's nearly halfway!'

It's really moving!

Asha must be getting earache, but I'm not. Look at this!

'Oh, a couple of metres left. Keep going, Asha!'

'Can the van make it all the way?'

It has! It has! Stop! You can stop, Asha!

You can stop.

She's beaten it by miles!

'Asha is an ear-pulling machine worthy of master Manjit's mantle.

'But for this to be an Officially Amazing record

'it needs to be officially verified by our official adjudicator, Craig.'

-How are your ears?

-They're OK.

-They're OK,

that's what I like to hear.

-And, Craig, how did she do?

-Good.

We've confirmed the weight of the truck, 1.7 tonnes.

And Asha pulled it much more than the 5m that we need,

so it is a brand-new Guinness World Records title.

-Congratulations.

-Congratulations.

Put that up there. She's officially amazing.

This ear-ficially, ear-mazing, ear-pulling wonder woman

will be known all around the lobe - er, I mean globe.

Time for us now to cross that globe and head to the USA for...

Welcome to Gainesville, Florida, where Al and I are here to meet

bedazzling bowler Chad McLean.

He's been bowling since he was three.

He's won countless championships

and already holds a Guinness world record.

He's one of the greatest bowlers alive.

But before we get to his record attempt,

I'm going to teach Al a thing or two.

'Here you go, Al, watch and learn.'

'Oh, get in! Five pins down, Al, beat that.'

Here we go.

Oh, yeah!

Ho-ho! Ho-ho!

That's a strike.

Do you need the toilet?

Ah!

You almost got it!

It's so hot!

Can we get...? It's so hot! I'm so hot!

'Well, let's see you get a strike when I'm doing this.'

Boys, boys, we're not here to see you, we're here for this guy.

'Rubbish!'

'Anyway, Ben and I sat down for milkshakes with Chad

'to find out what record he's going for today.'

I'm going after the most bowling strikes in one minute.

I already have it at nine, but I want to break it.

-Nine strikes in one minute?

-Mm-hm.

So, in one minute you have done more than Ben will do in nine lifetimes.

-That's impressive.

-That's outrageous.

A strike is when all ten pins are knocked over with one ball.

Chad will start at lane one and work his way along after each bowl.

To speed up the process, he has two assistants that will follow him

along the alley, handing him a ball when he's ready.

So, Chad, obviously, you have to use your hands a lot.

-Does that get quite tough?

-My thumbs...

My bowling thumb is much bigger than my non-bowling thumb.

That's a hefty thumb. If you ever wanted to hitchhike...

You're in good shape!

All of Chad's bowling balls are custom-made to suit him

and that thumb of his.

They fit so well that, when he releases the ball,

it makes a popping noise.

POPPING

See?

-Did I tell you I've got a new job?

-Is it permanent?

Nah, ten-pin.

Can Chad break his own record of nine strikes in one minute?

His first attempt is not go so well.

He's way off his own record.

You had a total of five strikes.

But determination is the name of this game,

and he was much closer on his second go.

You had eight strikes, so it was a great try.

Just one strike away from equalling his record.

Now he's going to have one more go.

Is it even possible to break this record?

Come on, Chad.

Two, one, bowl!

Oh, bad start! There's still one pin left standing.

Strike one.

He's so quick! He knows these lanes better than you

and I know each other. Don't you think, Betsy?

Er, it's Ben.

Come on, Chad!

No strike. Three pins still standing.

Strike four!

'That's four! Can he get a fifth straightaway?'

-Strike five!

-30 seconds, you can do it.

-Strike six!

-Come on!

-Strike seven!

-Get it, Chad, let's go!

Strike eight!

Strike nine, that's equalled the record!

Oh, incredible!

That's six strikes in a row! But can he go on and beat the record?

-Ten!

-Strike ten! Strike ten!

-Strike 11!

-Four, three, two,

-one.

-Strike 12!

-CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

-Yes! Yes!

Yes!

Oh, put it there!

Well, that was magnificent.

An incredible performance by Chad the bowling lad.

It looked good to us,

but let's get the official word from adjudicator Amanda.

As you know, the previous record was nine, and in this go around,

you had 12 strikes, which is a new Guinness World Record!

WHOOSH

Chad, you bowled us over with your skills. You are officially amazing.

So, Chad is the ten-pin tumbling toast of the town.

Join us next time for more brilliant record breakers like these guys.

# Well, beg your pardon What's that sound?

# Did someone make a smell?

# No, it's champion Cherry who broke a world record

# When he sat on whoopee cushions so well

# Chad was having fun

# Breaking bowling records with his giant thumb

# And Mr Burditt blew it

# Those stubborn sticks just wouldn't do it

# But Asha, she was smiling from ear to ear

# It's all officially amazing! #