# Penn and Teller's B.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 24, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605 "2003-01-24T15:45:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/1 "2003-01-24T15:45:49Z")
Well tonight is the night!! [http://www.sho.com/ptbs/](http://www.sho.com/ptbs/) The show looks good. For all of you who don’t know, Penn and Teller have a new show on showtime, by the apt name of Bullshit! They will be refuting such crazy things as: Speaking with the dead (tonight’s episode), creationism, feng shui, etc. I’m all geared up for it! Who’s with me? ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/2 "2003-01-24T15:52:29Z")
Me! Me! In fact, I’m so excited about it I called Cox and cancelled HBO and replaced it with Showtime just so I could watch this show. I probably wouldn’t have gone from basic cable (which is what I usually carry) to pay cable just for a TV show, however awesome it sounds, but I had given in to my son’s requests that we get HBO so he could watch “Sopranos,” so getting Showtiome was more of a lateral move than an upgrade. I was planning to drop back to basic next month, but now we’ll see… Maybe I’ll hold onto it for a little longet if “Bullshit!” is as good as it sounds. Jess ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/3 "2003-01-24T15:57:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jess \* > \*\*Me! Me! In fact, I’m so excited about it I called Cox and cancelled HBO and replaced it with Showtime just so I could watch this show. \*\* Whoa…Now that’s some serious commitment!😃 The only thing I’m worried about is how ShowTime likes to get halfway through a season and never start showing new episodes (a la Odyssey 5). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jess \* > \*\*I probably wouldn’t have gone from basic cable (which is what I usually carry) to pay cable just for a TV show, however awesome it sounds, but I had given in to my son’s requests that we get HBO so he could watch “Sopranos,” so getting Showtiome was more of a lateral move than an upgrade. I was planning to drop back to basic next month, but now we’ll see… Maybe I’ll hold onto it for a little longet if “Bullshit!” is as good as it sounds. > Jess \*\* Sopranos is a great show, but it seems like it’s on every other year. I’m just going to stick with buying the DVD’s of the Sopranos. Personally, I love Penn and Teller. I’ve been to a few of their shows, when they come to the DC area. I think they are intelligent and witty. Plus their attacks on Uri Gellar are always funny… ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/4 "2003-01-24T18:13:12Z")
It’s about time. At least P & T can make skepticism entertaining. They are the right ones. Love Randi and Shermer and all those crusaders, but getting good old P & T involved is like getting skepticism part of Pop Culture (in a way). I am looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/5 "2003-01-24T18:59:14Z")
I’m so hyped for this. Penn and Teller are so cool; they’re my heroes. Skeptics rule. Did anyone catch them on Conan last night? I had to turn in, so I guess I’ll catch it on the Comedy Central rerun this evening. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/6 "2003-01-24T19:28:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Philster \* > \*\*Love Randi and Shermer and all those crusaders, but getting good old P & T involved is like getting skepticism part of Pop Culture (in a way). \*\* I totally agree with this. I think Shermer is a good writer/skeptic, but when it comes to entertainment-P&T are pros. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/7 "2003-01-24T23:02:11Z")
I saw Conan last night. They made a big deal out of how they weren’t allowed to say ‘bullshit’ on network tv, and so of course said ‘bullshit’ over and over again, all bleeped out. Unfortunately, the Penn’s sleight of hand on the obligatory card trick was lacking, and it was really obvious to me at least how the thing had been done. Teller’s head was encased in a concrete block, though…that has to be worth something. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/8 "2003-01-25T04:35:58Z")
I just saw the show and I thought it was pretty good. It seemed cheaply produced, but I think the quality was pretty good. I’ll be tuning in next week! ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/9 "2003-01-25T05:00:38Z")
I dunno, I kinda like next week’s picture of [snail mucus facials](http://www.sho.com/ptbs/topics.cfm?topic=am). ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/10 "2003-01-25T05:06:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*I dunno, I kinda like next week’s picture of [snail mucus facials](http://www.sho.com/ptbs/topics.cfm?topic=am). \*\* Oh barf… Yet another key example of where a “barfy” smile would be appropriate. You know, some of the beliefs that this show exposes I can _understand why the person would believe_ , snail facials though? I’m baffled and perplexed by someone would think that snail ass juice would be “rejuvinating”. Maybe it’s just me, but I love the basic idea behind the show. I like when B.S. is exposed-I suppose it’s because I used to believe in some heafty diaper loads myself. I hope it catches on, because Penn’s wit is great! ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/11 "2003-01-25T05:08:24Z")
If they’re going to keep this format of long clip montages with Penn’s voiceovers, Teller will be kind of peripheral to the whole project. He seemed kind of tossed in tonight. All in all, though, it was a damned good show! I have a friend who’s a hard-core Edward believer–I’m going to make it a point to show her my tape of the ep. Penn’s speech in the middle about the harm cold readers do to their subjects was both moving and thought-provoking. I should probably write to the network to tell them how much I liked it. Never hurts to start the positive reinforcement early. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/12 "2003-01-25T13:35:29Z")
That was an excellent show. It’s about time the skeptics started getting their licks in the battle for reason over credulity. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/13 "2003-01-25T16:59:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*That was an excellent show. It’s about time the skeptics started getting their licks in the battle for reason over credulity. \*\* I totally agree! I’m just a little worried because, as far as I know, skeptic shows don’t go over well. I mean the straightdope had it’s own show, didn’t it? As did snopes. Neither show was on in my area (that I was aware of) and it’s a shame. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/14 "2003-01-26T01:05:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Meatros \* > \*\*You know, some of the beliefs that this show exposes I can _understand why the person would believe_ , snail facials though? > > I’m baffled and perplexed by someone would think that snail ass juice would be “rejuvinating”.\*\* Heh. From what I can tell from the website’s little Snail Facials video clip, it looks like Penn and Teller **invented** the notion of Snail Facials just to see if anybody would fall for it. I wonder if the practice of [drinking your own urine](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html) got started as a similar prank. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/15 "2003-01-26T01:09:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Meatros \* > **I’m just a little worried because, as far as I know, skeptic shows don’t go over well.** There was one skeptic show I saw on the Discovery channel that **did** seem to go over rather well. It was a show on crop circles. It started with a crop-circle-making contest; continued on through with people explaining that, yes, a damp wheat stalk CAN bend at a sharp angle without breaking; and even had a cute segment where a kid released a 6-foot-wide helium balloon containing a flashlight and eyewitnesses swore they saw an alien spaceship (one of them claiming it was about 1/2 mile in diameter!). ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/16 "2003-01-26T01:13:26Z")
The snopes show has already come and gone, Meatros? I’ve got to keep better track of these things. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/17 "2003-01-26T01:17:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*Heh. From what I can tell from the website’s little Snail Facials video clip, it looks like Penn and Teller **invented** the notion of Snail Facials just to see if anybody would fall for it. > > I wonder if the practice of [drinking your own urine](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html) got started as a similar prank. \*\* … Drinking your own urine. … … Uh… I wouldn’t be surprised if P&T created snail facials, in order to demonstrate a point. I also wouldn’t be surprised if it caught on and a fad got started from it either… ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/18 "2003-01-26T01:19:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Juniper200 \* > \*\*The snopes show has already come and gone, Meatros? I’ve got to keep better track of these things. \*\* To tell the truth, I’m not sure. I think I read that it was supposed to air a few months ago. I can’t remember where I read it, but I remember reading something about it getting canned. Granted my memory stinks, so I could be remembering something else entirely… ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/19 "2003-01-26T01:22:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*There was one skeptic show I saw on the Discovery channel that **did** seem to go over rather well. It was a show on crop circles. It started with a crop-circle-making contest; continued on through with people explaining that, yes, a damp wheat stalk CAN bend at a sharp angle without breaking; and even had a cute segment where a kid released a 6-foot-wide helium balloon containing a flashlight and eyewitnesses swore they saw an alien spaceship (one of them claiming it was about 1/2 mile in diameter!). \*\* The Discovery Channel. I generally like their programming. I think I might have seen that show on crop circles (or one just like it). I never understood how crop circles equated to alien visitors. It sounds like a piss-poor way to inform an intelligent species that they are not alone in the universe. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605/20 "2003-01-26T01:23:16Z")
I’ve GOT to get cable… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penn-and-tellers-b-s/150605.md?page=2)