T-Rex: "Our hypothesis states we're better at using wooden sticks to direct the motion of a vulcanized rubber puck across a surface with a friction coefficient of 0.15!" some scientists claim, and then the other scientists reply "NUH UH!!"
Narrator: HOCKEY AS SHE IS PLAYED
T-Rex: Since they're scientists, they decide to run a series of controlled experiments to see which "team" is the best. And to ensure they're held to the highest standards of accuracy, professional independent observers are employed (called "referees" as they may be used as references in the resulting paper) AND the experiments are performed in front of a stadium chock-full of amateur observers too!
T-Rex: Science is really popular so this makes sense.
Utahraptor: Suppose I'd like to observe such an experiment but cannot afford a ticket?
T-Rex: Not a problem!
T-Rex: Demand is high, so scientists have taken the extraordinary step of broadcasting their process live on TV. You can go to bars and watch the experiment unfold with other fans who are rooting for the same hypothesis you are, cheering as the results come in!
Utahraptor: Delightful!
T-Rex: The downside is it's hard to control external variables, so the experiments repeat quite often. But that's good for us, because it just means more science!
T-Rex: Also the scientists get way ripped from all the science they're doing and that can be PRETTY DISTRACTING, y'all.