
In the TV show *Roswell, New Mexico*, the character Max, along with Isobel and Michael, drinks nail polish remover. This is because the show's creator, Carina Adly MacKenzie, could not get the rights to the original show, in which the aliens drank hot sauce. MacKenzie wanted to include a substance that the aliens could consume to replenish their strength, so she chose nail polish remover, which contains acetone. In the show, acetone has a positive, healing effect on the aliens' physiology. While it is a creative choice for the show, it is important to note that nail polish remover is toxic to humans and should not be ingested.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for drinking nail polish remover | Acetone in nail polish remover has a positive healing effect on their alien biology |
| Alternative drinks | Hot sauce, Tabasco |
| Creator's statement | "I was like, 'What's the weirdest thing that's readily available and I could imagine people drinking?' |
| Warning | Do not try to drink nail polish remover |
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What You'll Learn

It is dangerous for humans to drink nail polish remover
Acetone poisoning can lead to serious health issues and even sudden death in some cases. Ingesting nail polish remover can cause symptoms such as walking problems, speech problems, and memory loss. This condition is known as "painter syndrome," also referred to as organic solvent syndrome, psycho-organic syndrome, or chronic solvent encephalopathy.
Those who intentionally inhale nail polish fumes to get intoxicated can also develop painter syndrome over time. Additionally, those working in poorly ventilated nail salons are at risk of developing this permanent condition. It is crucial to seek immediate emergency medical care if nail polish remover is swallowed or inhaled.
While it may be portrayed in fictional settings, such as aliens in Roswell, New Mexico, drinking nail polish remover, it is essential to understand that it is harmful to humans and should be avoided. The potential risks and consequences of ingesting nail polish remover far outweigh any perceived benefits.
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Acetone in nail polish remover has a positive reaction with alien physiology
Please note: Ingesting nail polish remover is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted under any circumstances.
In the Roswell, New Mexico TV series, the alien characters are shown drinking nail polish remover. This is because acetone, an ingredient in nail polish remover, has a positive reaction with their alien physiology.
The showrunner, Carina Adly MacKenzie, explained that the choice of nail polish remover was due to the unavailability of hot sauce, which was the beverage of choice for aliens in the original Roswell series. MacKenzie wanted to include a substance that was "weird" and "readily available". She also mentioned that the substance serves as a "treat" for fans of the original show.
The acetone in nail polish remover is theorised by fans to have a healing effect on the aliens, similar to how electrolytes in drinks help rehydrate humans. It is speculated that acetone could be similar to a type of water chemical on the aliens' home planet, thus explaining its positive impact on their biology.
While the concept of aliens consuming acetone is a creative narrative device, it is important to emphasise that in reality, ingesting nail polish remover is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe health complications, including toxicity and coma.
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The characters in the show are aliens
It is established that the characters in the show are aliens. In the show, these aliens consume nail polish remover, which is toxic and dangerous for humans. The show's creator, Carina Adly MacKenzie, revealed that the reason for the aliens' consumption of nail polish remover was a creative decision. She wanted to include something that was "'weird' and 'readily available.' She also mentioned that the show couldn't use hot sauce, a reference from the original series, due to rights issues.
The in-universe explanation for the aliens' consumption of nail polish remover is that it contains acetone, which has a positive reaction with their physiology. Acetone acts as a healing agent for these aliens, similar to how electrolytes help rehydrate humans. This is a common trope in science fiction, where certain substances are shown to have unique effects on extraterrestrial beings.
The show, "Roswell, New Mexico," is based on the "Roswell High" books by Melinda Metz. In the show, the characters Max, Isobel, and Michael are the aliens who consume nail polish remover. While it is a creative choice for the show, it is important to remember that nail polish remover is toxic and should not be consumed in real life.
The choice of nail polish remover as an alien beverage adds an intriguing element to the show. It showcases the unique biology of these extraterrestrial characters and their need for substances that are harmful to humans. This detail contributes to the world-building and sets the show apart, creating a memorable aspect of the alien characters' culture and physiology.
While some viewers may find the concept of drinking nail polish remover unusual, it serves a specific narrative purpose within the context of the show's sci-fi genre. It emphasizes the otherness of the alien characters and highlights the differences between their biology and that of humans.
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The showrunner chose nail polish remover because it was weird
The showrunner of Roswell, New Mexico, Carina Adly MacKenzie, chose nail polish remover as the drink of choice for the aliens because it was weird. In the original series, the aliens drank hot sauce. However, MacKenzie couldn't use hot sauce in the reboot because she didn't have the rights to the original TV show. She wanted something that was "the weirdest thing that's readily available and [she] could imagine people drinking".
MacKenzie explained that she looked around her room and saw nail polish remover, and that's how she came up with the idea. She also mentioned that there were many bottles of nail polish remover on the set, and while they considered getting a sponsorship, they also wanted to discourage kids from drinking it.
The choice of nail polish remover, specifically the acetone in it, also serves a narrative purpose in the sci-fi show. It is said to have a positive, healing effect on the aliens' physiology. A Reddit user speculated that perhaps acetone was similar to a type of water chemical on the aliens' home world.
While the choice of nail polish remover was made for its weirdness, it also adds a layer of world-building and narrative depth to the show. It is important to note that, as the show itself warns, drinking nail polish remover is dangerous and should not be attempted.
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In the original series, the aliens drank hot sauce
The consumption of hot sauce by the aliens added a layer of humour and relatability to the show. It humanised the characters, as they enjoyed a condiment that humans also use, albeit in much smaller quantities. The use of a common condiment like hot sauce, or even ketchup, which features in a pivotal scene, added a layer of familiarity to the alien characters.
The choice of hot sauce may also have been a clever way to visually represent the aliens' powers and energy. The red colour and the heat of the sauce could symbolise the intensity of their powers, and the way it would invigorate them, almost like a superpower boost. It also added a layer of danger, as the aliens' reliance on hot sauce could indicate an addiction to the spice, with the potential for negative consequences if they ever ran out.
While the original series used hot sauce, the reboot, Roswell, New Mexico, introduced nail polish remover as the alien beverage of choice. Showrunner Carina Adly MacKenzie explained that the change was necessary as they didn't have the rights to the original show. She also wanted to choose something weird and readily available, and nail polish remover fit the bill. The acetone in nail polish remover was also explained to have a positive, healing effect on the aliens' physiology, similar to how electrolytes benefit humans.
The switch from hot sauce to nail polish remover is an interesting creative decision that allowed the new show to differentiate itself while still paying homage to the original series. The choice of nail polish remover as a replacement for hot sauce is certainly unique and adds a layer of intrigue to the aliens' habits and physiology. While fans may have fond memories of the original hot sauce-loving aliens, the new series offers a fresh take on the story, exploring the healing powers of acetone and the unique challenges that come with it.
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Frequently asked questions
Max, a character in the TV show 'Roswell, New Mexico', drinks nail polish remover because it has a positive, healing effect on his alien biology. DO NOT TRY TO DRINK NAIL POLISH REMOVER YOURSELF!
No. In the original series, the aliens drank hot sauce. The creators of the new series do not have the rights to the original show, so they had to choose something else.
Showrunner Carina Adly MacKenzie said she wanted something that was "'weird' and 'readily available'. She looked around her room and saw nail polish remover, and thought it would be funny to get a sponsorship with a "don't drink it, kids!" disclaimer.











































