Penn and Teller performed at a roast for the magician Amazing Johnathan. During the roast Teller, dressed as Christ on a fullsized cross, was wheeled into the room and a midget dressed as an angel then pretended to perform a sex act on the almost naked Teller. This little scene was unvieled by Penn, who was dressed as a Roman, when Penn pulled off the “Shroud of Turin”. (Las Vegas Review Journal, 01-17-2003 pg 3A)
I like Penn and Teller but even I find this offensive and I’m an atheist.
From what I understand about their attitudes toward religion, this doesn’t sound that surprising to me. Besides, it was a roast, taste is usually the first thing to go out the window during one of those. A roast for a magician would seem to invite roasters trying to outdo each other in outrageousness and spectacle.
I’m not religious, and that’s offensive. Also, damn funny.
Anyway, what was the exact context? Was this roast being televised? Were they selling tickets, or was it invitation only? While I wouldn’t bad-mouth someone’s religion in public, I reserve the right to make disparaging remarks when in the company of likeminded individuals.
well, i didn’t see it but i’d like to say fuck religion and all that…anyway, has anyone ever seen their homes on the biogrophy channel or a &e(don’t remember which)? insane…penn has a sex room witha swing…just the things they have in their homes forces me to envy and respect them…i mean, who wouldn’t want to own the tattooed skin of a japanese guy into irezumi? i sure would…did i say fuck religion and being offended about nothing? oh…ok…
Ditto on what Miller and widdershins said. P&T have been known to poke mild fun at religious beliefs in their “public” shows, but usually at roasts all bets are off.
(An aside on that website you linked to, widdershins…Matthew Sweet’s name appeared above Teller’s. I’m a big fan of his, and I know his songs are more agnostic than atheist. As, if the complier of the site would have realized, the second part of his interview clearly states.)
I’m an atheist. Maybe I’m a lot harder to shock, but that just doesn’t sound offensive. It actually sounds pretty funny, like something I’d enjoy watching. I just guess my opinion is that if you can make fun of a religion just a little, you might as well go the whole way.
I’m NOT an athiest - in fact, I’m a Catholic - but it doesn’t offend me. It’s certainly MEANT to be offensive, but so what? Edgy expression has its place. They’re hard-core skeptics, and they’re entitled to their opinions. They’re also funny as hell and excellent stage magicians. I’ve paid to see them and I’d pay to see them again.
Religion, like it or not, is a choice, and your choices are open to criticism.
Well, it was a private roast. It was held late at night. At the same time there were gospel groups in the audience and Penn and Teller knew that. I cannot think of a more offensive image to Christians than Christ bleeding on a cross and getting, well, serviced by an angel.
I like sick humor but this is just way over the top. It is on par with Ted Danson and his little ‘blackface’ skit. It isn’t funny, it’s just insulting.
I thought Penn and Teller were smarter than this. Pissing people off will not bring them to your side.
I don’t find it offensive, personally I find it pretty sad. I have always loved Penn and Teller and comedians and Magicians, but that seems like a step down the road to hack-dom. It’s just not funny. “hehehehehe Hey Beavis? … What if like… hehheh Jesus…hehehe …got a Blowjob?”. Shock value is not funny(expect maybe Lenny Bruce), It seems like a desparate bid for attention from a third-rate comic. I would have thought P&T still were better than that.