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Destroy Build Destroy
Destroy Build Destroy
Destroy Build Destroy
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Destroy Build Destroy
Created by
Presented byAndrew W.K.
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes37
Production
Executive producers
  • Dan Taberski
  • Scott Messick
CinematographyBrett Smith
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
  • Mess Media
  • Idiot Box Productions
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseJune 20, 2009 (2009-06-20) –
September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)

Destroy Build Destroy is an American live action reality series on Cartoon Network hosted by Andrew W.K. It is a game show in which two teams destroy a random object and build vehicles from it, and then the winners destroy the losers' creation. The series originally premiered as part of a line of live-action reality series called CN Real, which aired in 2009. The series premiered on June 20, 2009, and ended its run on September 21, 2011.

Destroy Build Destroy is one of only two shows from the CN Real block (the other being Dude, What Would Happen) to have been renewed for additional seasons, as the other CN Real shows had already been cancelled earlier, due to critically negative reception.

Premise

[edit]

Destroy Build Destroy is a game show in which two groups (a "green or blue" team and an "orange or yellow" team, usually grouped by theme such as common interests) of three teenage contestants destroy various objects, then build vehicles out of the wreckage to compete in some kind of challenge. The show features high powered explosives, rocket launchers, bazookas, and other destructive tools. The winning team gets $3,000 and would get to destroy the losers' creation.[1] However, if a tie occurs by the end of the final round, resulting in neither team winning, both vehicles are destroyed.

Development

[edit]

The show launched on June 20, 2009,[2] as part of a new Cartoon Network programming block named CN Real.

Destroy Build Destroy was produced by Mess Media in association with Idiot Box Productions. The executive producers are Dan Taberski and Scott Messick.

The second season of the show premiered on November 4, 2009, and ranked #1 in its timeslot among boys 6–11 on all television with a total of 2.1 million watching each episode.[3]

Destroy Build Destroy was listed as one of the returning shows on Cartoon Network for 2010–2011 television season.[4] The third season began airing on October 6, 2010.[5]

A fourth season was ordered and aired from June to September 2011.[6]

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
16June 20, 2009 (2009-06-20)July 22, 2009 (2009-07-22)
28November 4, 2009March 17, 2010
38October 6, 2010December 1, 2010
415June 1, 2011September 21, 2011

Season 1 (2009)

[edit]
Team Wins
Orange Team 2 wins
Green Team 4 wins
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [7]Original release date [7]Prod.
code [8]
11"Air Cannon Assault: Skaters vs. Math Club"June 20, 2009 (2009-06-20)101
Teams will each build an air-cannon vehicle from the wreckage of an SUV. The Math Club wins, and the Skaters' air cannon gets destroyed by a military mortar.
22"Crane Wreck: Surfers vs. Techies"June 27, 2009 (2009-06-27)104
Teams will each build a crane from the wreckage of a semi-trailer. The Surfers win, and the Techies' crane gets destroyed by a remote controlled C-4 explosive.
33"Water Wars: Gear Heads vs. Sports Nuts"
"Water Wars: Sports Nuts vs. Gear Heads"		July 4, 2009 (2009-07-04)102
Teams will each build an amphibious vehicle from the wreckage of a car and boat. The Sports Nuts win, and the Gear Heads' amphibious vehicle gets destroyed by a bazooka.
44"Water Taxi Takedown: Gamers vs. Musicians"July 11, 2009 (2009-07-11)106
Teams will each build a water taxi from the wreckage of a motor home. The Musicians win, the Gamers' water taxi gets destroyed by a depth charge.
55"Dump Trucks of Doom: Athletes vs. Drama Club"July 15, 2009 (2009-07-15)105
Teams will each build a dump truck from the wreckage of a minivan. The Drama Club wins, and the Athletes' dump truck gets destroyed by a load of TNT with a long fuse.
66"Wide Load: Sibling Rivalry I: Younger Siblings vs. Older Siblings"
"Sibling Rivalry"		July 22, 2009 (2009-07-22)103
Teams will each build a flatbed truck from the wreckage of a pick-up truck. The Older Siblings win, and the Younger Siblings' flatbed truck gets destroyed by a tank.

Season 2 (2009–10)

[edit]
Team Wins
Blue Team 3 wins
Yellow Team 5 wins
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [7]Original release date [7]Prod.
code [8]		 Viewers
(millions)
71"Football Team vs. Marching Band"November 4, 2009 (2009-11-04)1070.55[9]
(2–11)[a]
Teams will each build a go-kart carrier for the go-cart race over land and water, from the wreckage of a school bus. the Football Team wins, and the Marching Band's carrier gets destroyed by a World War II airplane bomb.
82"Balls vs. Brains"November 11, 2009 (2009-11-11)108N/A
Teams will each build a fire truck from the wreckage of a police car. The Ball team wins, and the Brain team's fire truck gets destroyed by a time bomb.
93"Paddle Battle: Ben 10: Alien Swarm vs Dude, What Would Happen"November 18, 2009 (2009-11-18)109N/A
Cartoon Network stars from Dude, What Would Happen and Ben 10: Alien Swarm will each build a foot-powered mini-boat to transport inflatable balls, from the wreckage of a Volkswagen Bug. The Ben 10 cast wins, despite the Dudes' cheating efforts, however, the Ben 10 cast gave the Dudes the trophy for great sportsmanship and their love for them. The Dudes' mini boat gets destroyed by a remote controlled explosive boat.
104"Sibling Rivalry II: Younger Siblings vs. Older Siblings"
"Sibling Rivalry II"		December 2, 2009 (2009-12-02)110N/A
Siblings compete to build an 18-wheel vehicle to haul boxes through a winding course, from the wreckage of a pickup truck. The Older Siblings win, and Younger Siblings' 18-wheeler gets destroyed by a Trebuchet launched pumpkin bomb.
115"Grave Digger vs. Maximum Destruction"February 24, 2010 (2010-02-24)111N/A
Monster Jam's Grave Digger and Maximum Destruction compete with fans in a battering ram challenge to destroy car windows and cars. But first, they'll each have to make their battering rams from the wreckage of a double-wide mobile home. Team Grave Digger wins, and team Maximum Destruction's battering ram gets destroyed by a chemical filled briefcase.
126"John Morrison vs. The Miz"
"The Miz vs. John Morrison"		March 3, 2010 (2010-03-03)114N/A
WWE superstars John Morrison and The Miz come to compete in a surveillance car obstacle course challenge. But first, their teams; The Juggernauts and the Manglers, each have to make their surveillance cars from the wreckage of a set of two cars in a V formation. The Juggernauts win, and the Manglers' surveillance car gets destroyed by a wire guided rocket.
137"Dads vs. Kids"March 10, 2010 (2010-03-10)112N/A
Kids take on their dads by each building a giant claw grabber from the wreckage of a 25-foot sailboat. The Dads win, and the Kids' claw grabber gets destroyed by a remote controlled tank.
148"Country Fans vs. Rock'n Rollers"
"Rock 'n Rollers vs. Country Fans"		March 17, 2010 (2010-03-17)113N/A
Teams compete by each building a noise machine from the wreckage of a car/trailer combo. The Country Fans win, and the Rock'n Rollers' noise machine gets destroyed by high powered explosives.

Season 3 (2010)

[edit]
Team Wins
Blue Team 4 wins
Yellow Team 3 wins
Ties 1 tie
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [7][b]Original release date [7]Prod.
code [8]		 Viewers
(millions)
151"NFL Explosion: Gates vs. Merriman"October 6, 2010 (2010-10-06)2041.19[10]
Antonio Gates and Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers go up against themselves, as their teams each build wide recie-vehicles from the wreckage of a pickup truck. Team Gates wins, and Tean Merriman's wide recie-vehicles get destroyed by a wire guided football rocket.
162"Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster vs. Dude, What Would Happen"October 13, 2010 (2010-10-13)2071.43[11]
The Dudes return for a duel with Scooby Doo! cast Robbie Amell, Kate Melton, and Nick Palatas, as they each build boat launcher/sinkers from the wreckage of an old van. Surprisingly, the duel ends up in a tie, and both teams' boat launcher/sinkers get destroyed by a whole bunch of explosives. This marks the only episode in the show where both teams don't win.
173"NASCAR Pileup: Carl Edwards vs. Joey Logano"
"Edwards vs. Lagano"		October 20, 2010 (2010-10-20)2081.73[12]
NASCAR fans team up with their heroes, as they each build a pit vehicle from the wreckage of an old fashioned station wagon. Team Logano wins, and Team Edwards' pit car gets destroyed by a time bomb.
184"Midnight Battle: Big Bros vs. Little Bros"October 27, 2010 (2010-10-27)2011.29[13]
Little brothers take on their big brothers in a battle at night by each building a battleship from the wreckage of a military truck. The Big Brothers win, and the Little Brothers' battleship gets destroyed by a high powered laser.
195"Street Ballers vs Motocrossers"November 3, 2010 (2010-11-03)2021.09[14]
A team of Motocrossers take on a group of Streetballers by each building a bash boat from the wreckage of 6 cars that get wrecked in a demolition derby. The Motocrossers win and the Streetballers' bash boat gets destroyed by a load of explosives, which is triggered by a special button that was activated by ramming a car into it.
206"Sons vs. Moms"
"Moms vs. Sons"		November 10, 2010 (2010-11-10)2031.26[15]
The sons take on their moms by each building a mobile trash compactor from the wreckage of a minivan. The Sons win, and the Moms' trash compactor gets destroyed by five hand grenades.
217"Students vs. Teachers"
"Teachers vs. Students"		November 17, 2010 (2010-11-17)2051.49[16]
Students battle their teachers by each building a mobile spitball shooter from the wreckage of a school bus. The Students win, and the Teachers' spitball shooter gets destroyed by a voice-controlled bomb.
228"Footballers vs. Cheerleaders"December 1, 2010 (2010-12-01)206N/A
The Footballers and the Cheerleaders each build half of an air cannon combat vehicle from the wreckage of half of a stretch limo. The Footballers win, and Cheerleaders' half of the combat vehicle gets destroyed by flaming arrow.

Season 4 (2011)

[edit]
Team Wins
Blue Team 8 wins
Yellow Team 7 wins
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [7][b]Original release date [7]Prod.
code [8]		 Viewers
(millions)
231"Food Fight: Valley Girls vs. Jersey Boys"
"New Jersey Boys vs. Valley Girls"		June 1, 2011 (2011-06-01)3010.84[17]
It's an East Coast-West Coast battle, as the Valley Girls take on the Jersey Boys by each building a pizza delivery truck with a built-in assembly line from the wreckage of a fruit filled produce truck. The Jersey Boys win, and the Valley Girls' pizza delivery truck gets destroyed by a toaster bomb.
242"Sports Mashup: The Speed Freaks vs. Chillaxers"
"Speed Demons vs. Chillaxers"		June 8, 2011 (2011-06-08)3051.00[18]
The Speed Freaks take on Chillaxers by each building an SUV from the wreckage of, get this, an SUV. The Speed Freaks win, and the Chillaxers' SUV gets destroyed by a golf ball.
253"Weird Science-Attack of the Geniuses: The Straight A's vs. The A Gamers"June 15, 2011 (2011-06-15)3021.11[19]
The Straight A's take on the A Gamers as they each build an electromagnetic machine from the wreckage of a book-mobile. The Straight A's win and the A Gamers' electromagnetic machine gets destroyed by a bunch of explosives triggered by a switch.
264"Battleship Boom: Triple Barrels vs Frenemies"
"Bullseyes vs. Frenemies"		June 22, 2011 (2011-06-22)3061.07[20]
The Triple Barrels take on the Frenemies by each building battleships from the wreckage of a car. the Triple Barrels win, and the Frenemies' battleship gets destroyed by plastic explosives.
275"Submarine Showdown: Army Brats vs. Navy Seals"
"Army Brats v. Navy Brats"		June 29, 2011 (2011-06-29)3091.06[21]
The Navy Seals take on the Army Brats by each building a submarine from the wreckage of a boat. The Navy Seals win, and Army Brats' submarine gets destroyed by a subsonic explosion.
286"Battle of the Blimps: Mad-Moves vs. Mad Scientists"July 20, 2011 (2011-07-20)3100.96[22]
The Mad Scientists take on the Mad Moves by each building a blimp-mobile from the wreckage of a sailboat. The Mad Moves win, and the Mad Scientists' blimp-mobile gets destroyed by having their blimp drop explosives onto their blimp-mobile.
297"Celebrities: Skaters vs. BMXers"July 27, 2011 (2011-07-27)3041.08[23]
The Skaters take on the BMXers by each building ramp haulers from the wreckage of a mall cop car. The Skaters win and the BMXers' ramp hauler gets destroyed by a destruction in a box.
308"Ultimate Warrior: Team Captains vs. Class Presidents"
"Class Presidents vs. Team Captains"		August 3, 2011 (2011-08-03)3071.20[24]
The Class Presidents take on Team Captains as they each a chariot from the wreckage of a pickup truck pulling a horse trailer. The Team Captains win and the Class Presidents' chariot gets destroyed by a flaming ball of fire launched by a trebucet.
319"Andrew's TV Funhouse: Dee Jays vs. Dirt Bikers"August 10, 2011 (2011-08-10)3031.24[25]
The Dee Jays take on the Dirt Bikers by each building a water canon boat from the wreckage of a clown car. The Dirt Bikers win, and the Dee Jays' water cannon boat gets destroyed by a teddy bear stuffed with TNT.
3210"Urban Cowboy: The Engineers vs. The Hams"August 17, 2011 (2011-08-17)3081.28[26]
The Hams take on The Engineers by each building a wrangler from the wreckage of a ranch truck. The Hams win, and the Engineers' wrangler gets destroyed by two lines of gunpower leading up to a load of TNT.
3311"Destroyers in Space: Black Belts vs. The Cleats"August 24, 2011 (2011-08-24)3131.09[27]
The Cleats take on Black Belts by each building bottle rocket launchers from the wreckage of a sports car. The Cleats win, and the Black Belts' bottle rocket launcher gets destroyed by fireworks.
3412"Destroy Sweet Destroy: Tricksters vs. Trash Talkers"August 31, 2011 (2011-08-31)3151.05[28]
The Tricksters take on the Trash Talkers by each building a moving boat from the wreckage of a moving truck. The Trash Talkers win, and the Tricksters' moving boat gets destroyed by a six-bomb salute.
3513"Team Wentz vs. Team Chiddy"
"Team Chiddy vs. Team Wentz"		September 7, 2011 (2011-09-07)3141.06[29]
Team Wentz takes on Team Chiddy by building tire launchers from the wreckage of a band van. Team Chiddy wins, and Team Wentz's tire launcher gets destroyed by an analog time bomb.
3614"The Art of Destruction: The Glee Club vs. 4.0's"September 14, 2011 (2011-09-14)3110.85[30]
The Glee Club takes on the 4.0's by each building graffiti machines from the wreckage of a delivery truck. the Glee Club wins, and the 4.0's grafiti machine gets destroyed by a load of TNT.
3715"Catch and Destroy: The Models vs. Grease Monkeys"September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)3120.99[31]
The pretty boy models take on the car loving girls by building fishing trawlers from the wreckage of a camper van. The Models win, and the Grease Monkeys' trawler gets destroyed by a ring of fire.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Destroy Build Destroy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Destroy Build Destroy is an American live-action reality competition series that aired on from June 20, 2009, to 2011. The show features two teams of three teenagers each competing in a three-stage challenge: first, they destroy a large, everyday object (such as a or ) using tools, explosives, and heavy machinery like wrecking balls and bazookas; next, they rebuild functional vehicles or contraptions from the debris; finally, the teams race or battle their creations, with the losing team's build meeting a spectacular destruction. Hosted by musician , the series emphasized creativity, , and demolition, targeting a young audience as part of Cartoon Network's CN Real programming block. Each episode typically revolves around a themed challenge, such as constructing air cannons or water-based vehicles, encouraging participants to think innovatively under time pressure. The program ran for four seasons, comprising approximately 37 to 39 episodes, with production handled by Mess Media. Season 1 premiered in 2009 with six episodes, followed by Season 2 (eight episodes later that year), Season 3 (eight episodes in 2010), and Season 4 (15 episodes in 2011). Despite its short run, Destroy Build Destroy gained a for its high-energy format and emphasis on hands-on STEM-like activities blended with chaotic fun.

Overview

Premise

Destroy Build Destroy is a reality series in which two teams of three teenagers engage in a high-energy challenge that combines destruction, , and , emphasizing and under chaotic conditions. The core premise revolves around a three-phase format where teams first demolish a large, everyday object—such as a or —using tools like explosives, sledgehammers, and heavy machinery provided by experts. From the resulting wreckage, the teams then construct functional or machines designed to navigate specific courses or perform tasks, fostering problem-solving skills through hands-on . The competition culminates in a race or battle phase, where the teams' builds are tested against each other, with the superior creation declared the winner based on performance metrics like speed and effectiveness. The winning team receives a $3,000 prize, while the losing team's build is dramatically destroyed by the victors using additional heavy equipment, adding a layer of triumphant demolition to the outcome; in the event of a tie, both creations meet the same fate to ensure no unresolved tension. This structure highlights controlled chaos, appealing to the destructive impulses of youth while channeling them into constructive outcomes. Aimed primarily at children and preteens, particularly tweens aged 8 and older, the show promotes themes of ingenuity, collaborative effort, and innovative thinking through its explosive, rock-infused presentation, hosted by musician Andrew W.K., who energizes the proceedings with motivational guidance. By integrating fun elements like and machinery operation under supervision, Destroy Build Destroy encourages viewers to explore STEM concepts via playful destruction and rebuilding, distinguishing it as an educational yet entertaining entry in youth-oriented reality programming.

Format

Each episode of Destroy Build Destroy follows a three-phase competition structure designed to emphasize destruction, creativity, and rivalry among teams of young contestants. In the initial Destroy phase, two teams of three collaborate to demolish a large shared object, such as cars, pianos, or sailboats, using heavy-duty tools including wrecking balls, sledgehammers, explosives like C4, bulldozers, and cherry pickers. Teams select demolition methods, such as cliff drops or controlled blasts, to break down the object into usable wreckage, with the process supervised by professionals to prioritize safety. The Build phase shifts focus to reconstruction, where each team, assisted by expert builders and engineers, designs and assembles a custom machine or vehicle from the demolished materials within a strict time limit, often incorporating additional provided parts like cables or gravel. Contestants contribute ideas, direct the labor, and participate in non-hazardous tasks, while adults handle power tools and structural work to ensure safety and feasibility. The resulting creations are tailored to the original object's theme—for instance, boat launchers from sailboats or claw grabbers from other debris—fostering and ingenuity under expert guidance. In the final Destroy phase, the teams' builds compete in a head-to-head challenge, such as an , basketball-style grabbing contest, or , to determine the winner based on performance. The victorious team then demolishes the losing team's creation using advanced tools like military-grade weaponry, plastic explosives, or even a , while all activities remain under strict supervision to protect participants. This phase reinforces the show's theme of constructive destruction, with winners receiving cash prizes like $3,000.

Production

Development

Destroy Build Destroy was created by Dan Taberski as part of Cartoon Network's CN Real live-action programming block, which launched in to target boys aged 6 to 11 with reality-style content emphasizing adventure and skill-building activities. The series was designed to appeal to this demographic through engineering-themed challenges that combined destructive elements with creative construction, fostering hands-on learning in an entertaining format. The production was handled by Mess Media and Idiot Box Productions, with Taberski and Scott Messick serving as executive producers. Drawing from reality competition structures and the appeal of high-impact demolition in youth programming, the show aimed to merge educational building exercises with explosive entertainment to captivate young viewers. Andrew W.K. was chosen as host for his high-energy persona, aligning with the series' fast-paced and enthusiastic tone. The series premiered on June 20, 2009, beginning with a pilot-like first episode as part of an initial short season order to assess audience reception. Following the debut season's strong performance, including high ratings that outperformed many other CN Real entries, Cartoon Network renewed the show for additional episodes in August 2009, leading to an expansion across four seasons through 2011.

Cast and crew

The host of Destroy Build Destroy was musician Andrew Wilkes-Krier, professionally known as Andrew W.K., who served as the main host across all 37 episodes, delivering narration, encouragement to contestants, and comic relief to maintain the show's high-energy atmosphere. Recurring crew members included expert builders and on-screen assistants who supported the teams during destruction and construction phases. Martin Woods acted as the lead builder and destroyer, appearing in multiple episodes to guide contestants and demonstrate techniques. John Hennigan, a professional wrestler and actor known as John Morrison, assisted in demos and destruction segments, bringing physical expertise to the builds. Nathalie Neurath functioned as a builder, destroyer, and occasional trash talker with co-host-like elements, contributing to the competitive banter while also handling production design aspects. Brian Vandenberg provided special effects support as a builder and destroyer, enhancing the pyrotechnics and explosive elements of the challenges. Later episodes featured guest appearances by celebrity teams, adding promotional crossovers with other media properties. For instance, actors from the film Ben 10: Alien Swarm—Ryan Kelley, Galadriel Stineman, and Nathan Keyes—competed as a team in a season 2 episode against the cast of Dude, What Would Happen?. Similarly, the cast of Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster, including Robbie Amell, Kate Melton, and Nick Palatas, faced off against returning contestants in a season 3 matchup, building boat launchers from van wreckage. Behind the scenes, the production emphasized a collaborative dynamic between experts and teams, with directors and staff ensuring safety amid the destructive elements. Scott Messick directed episodes and served as , overseeing the integration of and construction safety protocols. Dan Taberski, the creator, also wrote and executive produced, coordinating the expert-team interactions to balance chaos and creativity. This structure relied on specialized crew for and safety, allowing contestants to focus on building under guided supervision.

Episodes

Series overview

Destroy Build Destroy is a live-action series in which teams engage in a cycle of destruction, construction, and further destruction as part of its core premise. Each 22-minute episode features a single structured in three phases: teams initially destroy provided objects using various tools and methods, then rebuild functional or machines from the resulting , and finally compete in a challenge where the losing team's creation is demolished by the winners. Over the course of the series, a total of 37 episodes were produced across four seasons. The series aired its first season from June to July 2009 with 6 episodes, followed by Season 2 spanning November 2009 to March 2010 with 8 episodes. Season 3 ran from October to December 2010, also comprising 8 episodes, while the final Season 4 extended from June to September 2011 and included 15 episodes to conclude the run. This progression allowed for a steady expansion in episode output, particularly in the later seasons. Early seasons emphasized straightforward competitions between everyday teen teams, such as skaters versus math club members, focusing on basic building and destruction mechanics. As the series evolved, later seasons incorporated themed challenges and celebrity participants, including athletes from the and drivers, alongside more intricate builds that tested advanced and strategy. This shift increased the complexity and variety of the challenges, enhancing the show's appeal through diverse team matchups and elaborate contraptions. Production for Destroy Build Destroy took place at the Agua Dulce Movie Ranch in , utilizing a dedicated set for indoor building phases and outdoor areas for destruction and competition segments. This facility provided the necessary space for large-scale builds and safe execution of explosive elements central to the show's format.

Season 1 (2009)

Season 1 of Destroy Build Destroy premiered on on June 20, 2009, and consisted of six episodes airing weekly through July 25, 2009. This inaugural season introduced the show's core format, where two teams of three teenagers, typically representing rival school cliques or stereotypes, competed by first destroying a provided or under the guidance of builders, then using the salvaged parts to construct specialized machines for a head-to-head challenge, with the winners ultimately demolishing the losers' creation using explosives. The episodes highlighted basic team dynamics, with participants relying on creativity and collaboration during the timed build phases, and emphasized straightforward modifications without the elaborate themes or celebrity involvement seen in later seasons. The season's challenges revolved around everyday vehicles transformed into competitive apparatuses, such as air cannons, cranes, and amphibious craft, testing the premise through accessible, high-energy contests that showcased the destructive and reconstructive elements central to the program. Builder assistance from experts ensured safety and feasibility during constructions, while the explosive finales marked the first on-screen uses of like C-4 and mortars to heighten the spectacle. No celebrity guests appeared, keeping the focus on amateur teen competitors.
EpisodeTitleOriginal Air Date
1Air Cannon AssaultJune 20, 2009
2Crane Wreck: Surfers vs. TechiesJune 27, 2009
3Water WarsJuly 4, 2009
4Dump Trucks of Doom: Athletes vs. Drama ClubJuly 11, 2009
5 Takedown: Pirates vs. NinjasJuly 18, 2009
6 Mash: Rednecks vs. PreppiesJuly 25, 2009
In the premiere episode, "Air Cannon Assault," the Skaters team faced off against the Math Club, building air cannon vehicles from destroyed SUVs to launch tennis balls at targets in a demolition-style contest. The following episode, "Crane Wreck," pitted Surfers against Techies, who transformed wreckage into competing cranes—one for wrecking and the other for lifting and dropping cars. Subsequent installments built on this foundation with water-based races in "Water Wars," dump truck loading challenges in "Dump Trucks of Doom," aquatic taxi pursuits in "Water Taxi Takedown," and off-road monster truck battles in the finale "Monster Truck Mash," each reinforcing the cycle of destroy, build, and destroy.

Season 2 (2009–10)

The second season of Destroy Build Destroy premiered on November 4, 2009, and consisted of eight episodes that built upon the core format from the first season by incorporating guest celebrities, themed rivalries, and more elaborate destruction sequences. The season aired weekly on Wednesdays, with a brief hiatus after before resuming in February 2010.
EpisodeTitleAir DateBrief Description
1Football Team vs. Marching BandNovember 4, 2009Two teams construct go-kart carriers designed for both land and water races; the winning team destroys the losers using a WWII-era airplane-dropped bomb.
2Brains vs. BallsNovember 11, 2009Intellectuals compete against athletes to build fire trucks from a wrecked police car; the victors deploy a time bomb for the final destruction.
3Ben 10: Alien Swarm vs. Dude, What Would HappenNovember 18, 2009Cast members from the shows build foot-powered mini-boats; the Ben 10 team wins and destroys the opponents with a remote-controlled explosive boat.
4Sibling Rivalry II: Younger Siblings vs. Older SiblingsDecember 2, 2009Siblings construct an 18-wheel semi-truck hauler; older siblings prevail and launch a trebuchet-fired pumpkin bomb at the losers' creation.
5Grave Digger vs. Maximum DestructionFebruary 24, 2010Monster truck teams partner with kids for a battering ram challenge targeting cars; Grave Digger's team wins with a chemical-filled briefcase explosion.
6John Morrison vs. The MizMarch 3, 2010WWE wrestlers lead teams in building surveillance vehicles for an obstacle course; Morrison's team succeeds and fires a rocket at the losers.
7Dads vs. KidsMarch 10, 2010Fathers and children teams build competing machines; the winning side enacts destruction through a family-themed explosive finale.
8Rock n' Rollers vs. Country FansMarch 17, 2010Music genre fans construct vehicles for a smash-up derby; the rock team destroys the country fans' build in a pyrotechnic showdown.
This introduced seasonal tie-ins, including a holiday special vibe in the December sibling rivalry episode, and featured larger-scale destructions, such as the battering rams in episode 5. Build saw a slight increase, exemplified by amphibious in the and multi-wheeled haulers later on. Notable elements included initial experiments with timed challenges during builds and heightened emphasis on team rivalries via trash-talking segments hosted by Andrew W.K..

Season 3 (2010)

Season 3 of Destroy Build Destroy premiered on October 6, 2010, and consisted of eight episodes broadcast on , concluding on December 2, 2010. This season introduced greater crossover appeal through collaborations with sports figures and pop culture properties, such as players, drivers, and promotions tied to the ! Curse of the Lake Monster film, marking the first significant integration of external media tie-ins in the series. Competitions emphasized speed and , with builds often tested in dynamic scenarios involving high-velocity clashes or themed obstacles, building on the expert builders from prior seasons. during destruction phases were enhanced for dramatic impact, heightening the spectacle of vehicle demolitions and rebuilds. The season's episodes featured diverse team matchups, including athletes, family groups, and professionals, each destroying provided vehicles before reconstructing them into battle-ready machines for head-to-head contests.
EpisodeTitleAir Date
15 Explosion: Gates vs. MerrimanOctober 6, 2010
16! Curse of the Lake Monster vs. October 13, 2010
17 Pileup: vs. October 20, 2010
18Dude Duel II: vs. October 27, 2010
19Motorcrossers vs. StreetballersNovember 3, 2010
20Sons vs. MomsNovember 10, 2010
21Teachers vs. StudentsNovember 17, 2010
22Footballers vs. CheerleadersDecember 2, 2010
In the premiere, NFL stars and led teams in a high-stakes vehicle battle themed around football explosiveness. Subsequent episodes like the NASCAR-themed installment pitted drivers and against each other, focusing on pileup-style destruction and speed trials. The crossover highlighted promotional synergy, with teams building mystery-themed rigs tested for endurance in obstacle courses. Later matchups, such as motorcrossers versus streetballers, incorporated environmental elements like rugged terrains to challenge build durability and velocity. These innovations contributed to the season's emphasis on thematic variety and intensified rivalries.

Season 4 (2011)

Season 4 of Destroy Build Destroy premiered on June 1, 2011, and consisted of 15 episodes, marking the final season of the series. This season heavily featured celebrity-led teams, including professional skateboarders and riders as well as musicians like of Fall Out Boy and rapper , drawing from entertainment and sports personalities to heighten the competitive appeal. Builds escalated in scale and complexity, incorporating multi-part vehicles such as battleships, submarines, blimps, chariots, and spaceships, often involving elaborate mechanisms like air cannons, rocket launchers, and systems for high-stakes destruction challenges. The season culminated in intense demolitions that tested team ingenuity, with reflective elements on the hosts' experiences woven into episodes like the TV-themed matchup. The episodes focused on diverse team dynamics, from academic rivals to military families and performers, emphasizing the show's core cycle of destruction, reconstruction, and re-demolition while amplifying spectacle through guest celebrities and oversized contraptions.
EpisodeTitleAir DateDescription
1Food Fight: Valley Girls vs. Jersey BoysJune 1, 2011Food-fight challenges await Valley girls and Jersey boys as they construct and demolish edible battle machines.
2Sports Mash-Up Smash-Up: The Speed Freaks vs. ChillaxersJune 8, 2011Sports-themed challenges requiring athleticism and versatility pit high-energy competitors against relaxed opponents in vehicle-based contests.
3Weird Science Attack Of Geniuses!: The Straight A's vs. the A GamersJune 15, 2011Brainy types take on gamers in science-inspired builds involving experimental gadgets and destructive tests.
4Battleship Boom: Bulleyes vs. FrenemiesJune 22, 2011Battleships with air cannons and defense systems are built by sharpshooters and argumentative friends for naval-style confrontations.
5Submarine Showdown: Army Bratz vs. Navy SealsJune 29, 2011Military families create unique submarines to do battle in underwater-themed demolition races.
6Blimps: Mad Moves vs. Mad ScientistsJuly 20, 2011A blimp challenge pits athletes against scientists, constructing aerial vehicles for high-altitude sabotage.
7Celebrities: Skaters vs. BMXersJuly 27, 2011Skateboarders and BMX riders, assisted by pros like Chris Cole and Dakota Roche, compete in extreme sports-inspired vehicle destructions.
8Ultimate Warrior: Team Captains vs. Class PresidentsAugust 3, 2011Team and class leaders face off in a chariot race and catapult challenge, building gladiatorial war machines.
9Andrew's TV Funhouse: Dee Jays vs. Dirt BikersAugust 10, 2011Deejays and dirt bikers face off on wacky carnival rides reconstructed from television props, hosted with personal flair.
10Urban Cowboy: The Engineers vs. The HamsAugust 17, 2011A Wild West-themed challenge sees engineers and performers construct rodeo rigs for demolition showdowns.
11Destroyers In Space: Black Belts vs. The CleatsAugust 24, 2011Rocket launchers and spaceships are designed by martial artists and athletes for cosmic-scale destructions.
12Destroy Sweet Destroy: Tricksters vs. Trash TalkersAugust 31, 2011Household objects become vehicles of destruction in a prank-filled, verbal sparring matchup.
13Team Wentz vs. Team ChiddySeptember 7, 2011Rocker Pete Wentz and rapper Chiddy head up competing teams in music-infused build-and-bash contests.
14The Art Of Destruction: The Gleeks vs. 4.0 MagnetsSeptember 14, 2011Two teams express their artistic sides during a messy challenge, transforming sculptures into destructive art pieces.
15Catch and Destroy: The Models vs. Grease MonkeysSeptember 21, 2011Fashion models battle auto enthusiasts in fishing trawler builds from camper wreckage, serving as the series finale with high-stakes vehicle demolitions.

Broadcast and distribution

Original run

Destroy Build Destroy premiered on on June 20, 2009, as part of the network's CN Real live-action programming block, which featured reality and game shows aimed at a tween audience. The series initially aired on Saturdays at 8:30 PM ET/PT, with the first season consisting of six episodes broadcast weekly during the summer months. This scheduling positioned it as a key component of the CN Real initiative, which sought to diversify 's lineup beyond animation. The show ran for four seasons until its conclusion on September 21, 2011, characterized by irregular scheduling with production-related gaps between seasons. Season 2 aired from late 2009 into early 2010, while Season 3 followed in October 2010; episodes were often presented in blocks, including back-to-back summer runs in Seasons 1 and 4 to capitalize on seasonal viewership patterns. Due to its status as the most successful program in the CN Real block, a fourth season was ordered in early 2011, expanding to 15 episodes aired from June to September. Although primarily focused on the U.S. market, the series received limited international syndication through Cartoon Network's global channels, including dubbed versions in Latin America and Brazil post-2011.

Streaming and home media

Following its original broadcast run, Destroy Build Destroy has had limited availability on digital streaming platforms, primarily in select international markets. As of November 2025, the full series is accessible on Netflix in certain regions outside the United States, such as parts of Latin America and Europe, where viewers can stream all four seasons. In Canada and Australia, episodes are available via the TELETOON+ Amazon Channel and Apple TV, offering on-demand access to the competition format hosted by Andrew W.K.. However, in the United States, the show is not currently offered on major streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu, reflecting its niche status as a live-action reality series from Cartoon Network's short-lived CN Real block. During and shortly after its network airing, episodes were previously available for on-demand viewing through Cartoon Network's official website and , allowing fans to revisit challenges involving destruction and reconstruction without relying on scheduled broadcasts. This digital access extended the show's reach beyond traditional TV, though it has since been removed from these platforms. In some international markets, such as , select seasons remain purchasable or rentable on . No official home media releases, including DVD or Blu-ray collections, have been produced for Destroy Build Destroy, distinguishing it from many other properties that received physical distributions. Fans have turned to unofficial methods for preservation, such as user-uploaded s on that compile full episodes from Seasons 1 through 4, though these violate copyright and may face removal. Occasional reruns air on in limited capacities, but without dedicated blocks like , which focuses on . As of 2025, the series has not received any remastered editions or new digital enhancements, yet its presence on regional streaming services continues to introduce the high-energy engineering competitions to new audiences, maintaining a modest legacy in youth-oriented reality programming.

Reception

Critical response

Destroy Build Destroy received mixed critical reception, with praise centered on its high-energy format and potential to spark interest in engineering and STEM activities among young viewers. Critics appreciated the show's enthusiastic destruction sequences and the creative building challenges, which encouraged teamwork and problem-solving in a fun, explosive environment. Will Wade of Common Sense Media awarded it a 3-out-of-5 rating, noting that the engineering-themed competition, hosted with charisma by Andrew W.K., provided educational value by blending demolition with construction, appealing particularly to tween boys despite its emphasis on spectacle over deep science. Similarly, Simon Abrams of The A.V. Club described it as evoking "amiably cheesy canned game show melodramas," highlighting its nostalgic, lighthearted appeal. However, the series faced for its perceived lack of educational depth and overreliance on , with some reviewers questioning the of its explosive elements and the repetitiveness of . User reviews on averaged a low 3.4 out of 10, with complaints about the show's formulaic structure, insufficient emphasis on genuine skills, and concerns over promoting destructive behavior without adequate context. Wade also pointed out that outcomes often felt random rather than skill-based, and rivalries between teams could become overly aggressive, potentially modeling poor . Notable commentary addressed parental worries about the explosions and focus, balanced by the show's supervised, expert-guided approach to . In interviews, host expressed disappointment over backlash from parents' groups, emphasizing the program's intent to channel kids' energy into constructive activities under professional oversight. Overall, the consensus positioned Destroy Build Destroy as a for tweens—energetic and entertaining "mindless fun" that stood out as more engaging than other live-action reality efforts like Hole in the Wall, though not particularly innovative in its reality .

Ratings and legacy

The second season of Destroy Build Destroy achieved strong performance among its target demographic, ranking #1 in its timeslot among boys aged 6–11 on all television during its February 2010 premiere week, with 596,000 deliveries in that group and significant year-over-year growth of 82% compared to season 1 averages. Later episodes continued to show gains, such as a 25% increase in boys 6–11 delivery to 403,000 viewers during the May 2010 Wednesday 8 p.m. slot. Overall, the series averaged over 1.5 million total viewers per week in its primary 8:30 p.m. Wednesday slot during the 2010 season, contributing to its status as a top performer within 's live-action programming. As part of the CN Real block, Destroy Build Destroy represented one of the few successes amid the lineup's broader decline, being renewed for four seasons from 2009 to 2011 while most other shows were canceled by late 2010. This renewal helped diversify Cartoon Network's output beyond animation, marking an expansion into live-action competition formats aimed at tweens. The show's emphasis on challenges and teamwork provided partial validation for the block's educational ambitions before its end. In its legacy, Destroy Build Destroy stands as a symbol of 2000s children's television's high-energy, destructive chaos, influencing the network's approach to interactive STEM content for young audiences. It has been occasionally referenced in retrospectives on host Andrew W.K.'s multifaceted career, highlighting his role in blending music and youth media. As of 2025, no revivals have occurred, but its availability on streaming platforms like Netflix sustains relevance in discussions of hands-on STEM education for kids.

References

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