Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
I sat next to Penn Jillette at the Phoenix airport FOX News Sportsbar last year- I didn't speak to him because he seemed to want to be left alone (two people followed him in with a camera) but he was so nice to the waitress (she didn't recognize him & asked about the picture-taking business, he waved it off politely and ordered a coffee.) I was busy getting drunk, so I considered asking him if he could make my credit card bill disappear. Oh well. I just had to share that.
I saw the episode about Hypnotists. It's a funny show. I think Penn & Teller should do another music video (remember the Run DMC video?)
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
they're my kind of guys, politically speaking at least
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Yes, Penn is known as being a Libertarian, which is fine by me that's for sure.
http://www.self-gov.org/jillette.html
Before I moved out of Las Vegas Penn & Tellers show became a mainstay at the Rio, I'd see them occasionally around town. Two very cool guys. Penn and his wife had a daughter in June, her name is Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette, how great is that....;)
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Virtually everything they do on their show originates from their mentor, James Randi (www.randi.org) who basically taught them everything they know about debunking and psudo-science. What's sad is that P&T have a show and he doesn't, although James has written numerous books and has been featured on countless television shows including a few Nova specials on PBS.
The reason I say this is from a somewhat unfortunate perspective of actually knowing Penn and Teller. I worked with them many years ago back in around 1989/1990. I remember actually hanging out with them before their very first big show performance in Vegas back then at Bally's. I even took a polaroid of them at night standing below the marquee of their names in lights. The sad part is, they have changed so much over the years for the worse it almost makes me nauseaus. Their on-screen persona and their real lives are dramatically different.
Penn likes to go so far out of his way not to make a point, but to openly offend people that very few people want to have anything to do with them anymore. I frequently see him wear shirts like team jerseys that say "Team Satan" on the front with the numbers 666 on the back. He literally get's his jolleys watching people get offended. I understand that they are atheists and such, but to go so far out of your way to offend people who don't believe in what you do, that's sad.
I remember a couple of years ago where they pretty much burned their bridge with the entire magic community. Not because they expose magic or anything like that. Most people in the magic industry don't care about that issue anymore with them. It was because of what they did at a gala event. The Amazing Jonothan was being roasted here in Las Vegas as was chosen by the magicians guild as a tradition that has been going on for years. Hundreds of magicians were there for this event and the Master of Ceremonies was Sigfried (of Sigfried & Roy). They had all these famous magicians there and many were on the dias roasting Jonothan etc. So right in the middle of this, unannounced, in comes Penn & Teller on what looked like parade float. Teller looked like he was nailed to the cross wearing a robe and thorny crown like Jesus Christ with blood all over the place. They came in with this big fanfare and on the float were several midgets running around acting like they were giving Teller a blowjob. Penn was yelling saying it was, "The third coming of Christ!". Literally 1/2 the room walked out in disgust and Sigfried left the event. His sister being a nun, he took it a little more personal. Jonothan, who is close friends with Penn even said that it was inappropriate and disgusting and wished it never happened. Magic magazine said that blackballing them from magic would be a good thing. I agree. This may sound funny on the surface, I can assure you, the effect they were going for did not happen. People weren't laughing, they were mostly calling them assholes.
The saddest part about Penn and Teller is that they have become exactly what they used to critisize others for being years ago.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
The reason I say this is from a somewhat unfortunate perspective of actually knowing Penn and Teller. I worked with them many years ago back in around 1989/1990. I remember actually hanging out with them before their very first big show performance in Vegas back then at Bally's. I even took a polaroid of them at night standing below the marquee of their names in lights. The sad part is, they have changed so much over the years for the worse it almost makes me nauseaus. Their on-screen persona and their real lives are dramatically different.
All entertainers have an on-screen/on stage persona and a real life. My bf is in the entertainment business and works in TV in New York and performs in Vegas a couple times a year. What he is on stage and what he is at home are TWO very different things. I haven't met Penn or Teller but I have seen them perform over the years from when they were at Bally's until they started at the Rio. My bf has met them, and I still conclude they are 2 very cool guys.
I've also been an Amazing Johnathon fan for a long time and have seen him perform many times. When he started his show at the Golden Nugget a few years back I thought it would be great, I think he has changed much more over the years, and not all of it is for the better. His act has never been Magic in the classic sense, so him being honored by the magicians guild is a bit odd. And fer Christs sakes if it was roast, ANYTHING can happen. I've been to some functions at the Friars Club in NYC. Offensive is part of the GAME in the world of comedy.
The Amazing Randi or James Randi as he appears to be called now has been around for eons. He doesn't have his own show because P & T have more attractive stage presence. Meaning they are "performers".
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
Penn likes to go so far out of his way not to make a point, but to openly offend people that very few people want to have anything to do with them anymore. I frequently see him wear shirts like team jerseys that say "Team Satan" on the front with the numbers 666 on the back. He literally get's his jolleys watching people get offended.
People who get offended just because they meet someone who doesn't believe the same thing they do are the assholes, as far as I'm concerned.
I don't see any way in which 'Team Satan' is more offensive than 'Team Christ', or 'Team Sauron' or 'Team Easter Bunny', for that matter...
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
The show is entertaining but it is not what I'd called fair or balanced (gawd, I can't believe I just used that term....ugh). They basically have a premise and then present only what they want you to see to prove that premise. If you agree with the premise (which in most cases I do...I think psychics and religious phonies are full of crap), it's great. If you don't agree with the premise (the show which I most disagree with was the "myth of the traditional family" show), then it really shows their biases.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
The challenge I ultimately have with Penn is not that he has strong beliefs. I respect him very much for that actually. The issue is that there is a difference between being a devout atheist and being anti-religion. That's where it crosses the line. People get offended at things way too easily these days in my opinion. Mostly from actions people take that they had no ill-will intentions from. Penn is different. He enjoys picking fights with people in public. He goes out of his way to offend people and when they do get offended, he laughs at them and calls them crackpots. His anti-religion beliefs are quite literally as fanatical as those on the oposite end of the scale.
I remember about two years ago, I was talking with a close frind fo mine who owns a very exclusive magic shop here in Vegas. It's where all the pros go, buried in an industrial building you'd never know was there if you were standing in front of it. Anyway, Penn had this idea that he wanted to buy some real, authentic shrunken human heads. The real deal. So he went to my friend who has some out of the ordinary connections and so this purchase was actually going to take place. My friend managed to find a friend down in South America who was able to get some. Penn thought it would be a kick to have them in his living room I guess.
Anyway, so the arrangement took place and Penn made the appropriate payments to get these odd and expensive items. The package was on the way to the states when Penn was watching television and came across a show on the Discovery Channel about South American cultures and the process for shrinking heads (coincidentally). In the show, they mentioned that the reason for doing this had a religious background. That it was used for preventing an enemy of the tribe from going to heaven or something similar. Penn freaked out when he found out that they shrunken heads had religious significance so he called my friend and told him that the deal was off for that reason.
I think there is a lot of talent in P&T. I really do. I think at the core, they are cool guys. They've just gone so far off the deep end though, that's the problem.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
I think there is a lot of talent in P&T. I really do. I think at the core, they are cool guys. They've just gone so far off the deep end though, that's the problem.
I could care less if Penn is anti-religion or an atheist or whatever it may be and that led him to call off his shrunken head purchase. I know many "dirty little secrets" about some celebrities from first hand experience, but I'm not here to dish them out. Not why I started this thread. If your friend had issues with him over that, well not to sound cold, but if you do business with something out of the ordinary like that and it doesn't work out, if you didn't have an agreement in writting...well....you take your chances.
What's better than getting a laugh in a comics mind?.....getting a groan....if P & T are about offending people, well then I guess they have accomplished it, you seem offended by their anti-religious actions. More power to them.
Back to topic here, I think their show Bullshit is very clever and entertaining. For those interested, check it out. That was the purpose of my initial post. :great:
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
The challenge I ultimately have with Penn is not that he has strong beliefs. I respect him very much for that actually. The issue is that there is a difference between being a devout atheist and being anti-religion. That's where it crosses the line.
Why? Why is being anti-religion any more offensive than being pro-religion? They are simply two opposing viewpoints.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
i personally don't care for shows (or people) that polk (sp) fun at people's beliefs and/or convictions or causes. just because you/they don't believe in or care about anything doesn't mean it's right to make fun of everybody else. that's not entertainment. it's hateful.
but then again, that's just my opinion now isn't it.
:peace:
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
C'mon. If someone at the show would've rolled a crucifixion scene down the aisle with a big banner "JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS," it would've been just as offensive. People would've talked about how offended they were and how inappropriate it was for the setting, and we would've called those people assholes because they were offended. Right?
Something like DW described at the roast is clearly inappropriate, and apologists can't turn it into appropriate. It was designed to be offensive rather than funny, it showboated in a setting where the focus was supposed to be the guest of honor, it disrupted the program. Clearly inappropriate.
On the other hand, if their show's fun to watch, watch it. If I judged performers by their whacked-out beliefs, attitudes, habits, and lifestyles, I'd hardly ever watch anything.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
just because you/they don't believe in or care about anything doesn't mean it's right to make fun of everybody else.
Who is it, exactly, that doesn't "believe in or care about anything" ??
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
people who prefer to, or go out of their way to offend everyone they come in contact with...just because they disagree with, or don't understand a belief or cause (or most beliefs and causes).
i may not understand why people do what they do, or say what they say, but i don't knock myself out trying to offend them every chance i get.
but then again...that's just me.
:peace:
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
just because you/they don't believe in or care about anything doesn't mean it's right to make fun of everybody else.
I asked you who it was who didn't "believe in or care about anything" -- who is it that you are refering to? As in, what are their names? I'd like to know who exactly it is that you are insulting so we can examine whether they really deserve that characterization.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
I support the anti-religion movement fully!
They had a great "Bullshit" on genetically-modified foods and the hysteria against them.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
I think you just reinforced my point Topaz. I'm not saying that they aren't entitled to their beliefs. It is jus that when you go so far out of your way with the sole intention of hurting people, what good is there in that? With the exception of being over the edge in arrogance, there isn't one. Their actions at the roast were clearly inappropriate. It had nothing to do with the roast in any way and although roasts are always about poking fun at the guest of honor, this did nothing of the like. It had nothing to do with him actually, just P&T's self-serving arrogance.
As for the shrunken head story Former LV Dancer, I never said anyone was upset over Penn's actions. Nobody felt screwed at all. I think it was a good example though of just how odd Penn really is. If it has the word "religion" anywhere near it, he runs like a vampire from daylight. That's just silly.
Besides, like I said, I really do like their show though. Well, at least the core of it. Keep in mind that 99.9999% of their material comes from The Amazing Randi anyway. If you like their show, you should check out his website or read some of his books...great stuff.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Penn & Teller - brash, arrogant, tricky, and confrontation - who woulda thought?
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
Originally Posted by MsTopaz
i personally don't care for shows (or people) that polk (sp) fun at people's beliefs and/or convictions or causes. just because you/they don't believe in or care about anything doesn't mean it's right to make fun of everybody else. that's not entertainment. it's hateful.
but then again, that's just my opinion now isn't it.
:peace:
When the show is done right, it's good TV. Too many people believe in crap and poking holes in the sheet to see through is a good thing. Religious charlatans and psychics and the like who take people's money and feed off their emotional needs are scumbags.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Hyde
When the show is done right, it's good TV. Too many people believe in crap and poking holes in the sheet to see through is a good thing. Religious charlatans and psychics and the like who take people's money and feed off their emotional needs are scumbags.
Agreed on this level. Absoulutely. I've always said that people who use the word or the name of God to do bad things are the reason that the mass majority of religious or even somewhat faithful people a bad name. After all, how godly is using God's name to scam someone. Sad. I'm a former magician, and I know how most of these psychic surgeons and such work. I can even replicate exactly how they do most of their tricks. Most of these guys are just magician hacks though, using standard magician or mentalist techniques to get their outcome. Even some magicians I know start to cross the line from performer to charlatain and that bothers me too when some magicians start claiming to have special abilities. That really bugs me when they refuse to admit that their trick is a trick.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
penn is awesome i listened to an interview with him a while back on radiofree satan haha
and it was just badass
hes a smart dude
and stuff
snap mahg thawng!
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
P&T is a great show, but I agree with DW & Ms T about the whole religion thing and just being mean for the sake of ratings. I don't consider myself a very religious person, but P&T are very mcuh anti-religion which is not the same as pro-religion. Pro-religion : pro-atheism :: anti-religion : anti-atheism. See what I mean?
Otherwise, I enjoy watching the show and catch every episode. Last night, they had a mini-marathon on Showtime that covered "12-stepping", "Death Biz", and another one I forgot. You can also catch them on Showtime-On-Demand. Two of my faves were the "recycling" ep and the "Sacred Cow" episode, where they called out Ghandi & Mother Theresa for their not-so-saintly acts. Another one is the "Consumerism" episode.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
^No, atheism is not a religion.
Religious people trying to tell atheists what atheists believe is no different from atheists trying to tell religious people what religious people believe. It is essentially disrespectful.
Re: Penn & Teller: Bullshit
^^Anti-atheists bash atheism and try to convert people to their own religion. Pro-religion folks are secure in their own beliefs and aren't really too concerned with what the atheists are doing (my belief is I have my own salvation to worry about, not yours). On the flip side, anti-religious people, like P&T, make it their mission to attack religion and the followers. Pro-atheists are those that, like pro-religious folks, really could care less what the religious folks are doing - provided they're not trying to force their ideals down their throats - as it's just not a big deal to them.
You may think I'm being overly specific, but there is a huge difference. Pro-religious folks are not the same as anti-atheists. It's similar to how one can be both pro-choice and anti-abortion at the same time.