Penn & Teller : Bullshit

[Bells]

So, does anybody here watches this show?

Im actually quite fond of their themes and the way the show is setup. They have a Bias, but they dont hide it, not eve from the people they interview for the show. They present both sides... and i cant really find anything oh so alarming that would set off a red flag of "This show is full of lies and deceit".

Sure, many people dont like Penn and Teller and therefore, their show is automatically shit... what'u gonna do about that?

But all and all, for a 30min show that goes for some heavy themes, it's actually quite entertaining, and some food for thought too... like the one about the 9/11 memorial. Or the one about World peace.

In case you never saw it, or wish to see some parts of it...

Alien Abductions (Fifith is going to love this one.... has Lizardmen!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gooRu3Ec8o4&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRY4e3yzLvA&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sda-Ks02GNY&feature=channel

Profanity and current language
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDN1j9DegTY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=875FMm-UyOc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVkoC_ZS-cE&feature=related

And there are several full Episodes right here too

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MrBiological&view=videos

So, overall... what you guys think of the shows and themes? And also... what you think about Penn and Teller too!

[POS Industries]

It's the funniest Libertarian propaganda on television!

[Mesden]

Very amusing, but plagued by being absolutely evangelical. Everytime someone on the other side starts to make a reasoned point, they get a voiceover of Penn calling them names.

Some shows make a pretty good point, but I wouldn't watch it for more than a good laugh.

[Osterbaum]

It's a fun show to watch, as long as you keep your wits about and don't actually buy all of what they say on the spot.

[NonCon]

I liked their one about PETA.

[Kaneda]

Very amusing, but plagued by being absolutely evangelical. Everytime someone on the other side starts to make a reasoned point, they get a voiceover of Penn calling them names.

I don't want to dismiss a show without ever watching it, but that sounds like everything I don't like about South Park times ten.

[Mesden]

The problem with South Park is they pretend they aren't pushing their Libertarian agenda and then criticize others who do similar things.

[Osterbaum]

South Park is great. Maybe that's because I am libertarian. Or maybe it's just because I like funnies.

Either way, let's not have an argument about it. In the end it is a matter of taste.

[Runswithnopants]

Eh. It's a very amusing show. They aren't exactly hiding their bias, or pretending it's not there. It's pretty clear from the beginning of each show what their position is and that the people opposing it are going to be ridiculed.

It's fun to try to spot logical fallacies in their arguments. I make a little game of it. For instance, they once committed this logical fallacy:

if p then q
not p
therefore, not q

I think it was in the first third of the episode about the "War on Porn".

[Bells]

every show with a opinion is "left" "right" "conservative" or "libertarian".... any show with a opinion is "something". of course. They have a opinion.

I just like how they handle their works... i recall the one about the Death Penalty. They had a father who's daughter was murdered for no reason other than the fact that the killer wanted to kill her. He, of course, he is pro Death Penalty.

I really liked how they handled that particular part of the show. And it showed a great deal of respect and dignity, even though the entire episode was against Death Penalty. That sort of stuff, i really like.

The one on Creationism too was great, but that is a wee bit too much Bibley to discuss

[Runswithnopants]

Yeah, that's a good point, Bellsouth. Whenever they deal with someone who has seriously been hurt by the issue at hand, they're very sensitive and respectful about it, but still address the person's argument in full.

I've noticed that most of the people they cut off and ridicule are people who have a financial stake in people's belief in their position. For instance, the oija board episode highlights the fact that these new agey witchcraft people who are proponents of the idea also recommend that people buy and use the brand of oija board that they produce and sell.

[TheWolf13]

I think the show is funny. Unfortunately there are probably a lot of people out there who watch it that think the show is supposed to be serious.

[Runswithnopants]

I don't think anything that has Penn & Teller in the credits is supposed to be serious :P

[Armake21truth]

As entertainment, satire, and mockery, it's actually decent. In fact some individuals on the net(some big, some small) have even ripped off the idea so it's somewhat viral.

I wouldn't say it effectively proves anything. Treat it like Mythbusters, watch it for entertainment, but just don't take it at face value.