Penn & Teller: BS!

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (P.E.T.A.) plays on our compassion for other living things while laying a trap to turn the tables on us: PETA is against all forms of medical testing involving animals - regardless of the potential benefits to human beings.. PETA supports banning the ownership of pets and advocates releasing them into the wild.. It's enough to make a vegetarian eat meat!

Hucksters are tapping into our hysteria over our personal safety to make big bucks. We're being told that, in order to keep us safe, we need everything from anti-terrorism gas masks to paper toilet seat covers. Crime rates are going down, not up. You're four times more likely to get struck by lightning than to be violently killed at school. And, once and for all, cell phones don't give you cancer!

Romantic love - it's a fantasy akin to believing in Santa Claus. Here's the truth - the first blush of love is a chemical reaction. And, like all drugs, it wears off after a while! We'll look into the myth of monogamy, and the industry that preys on those looking for love. If everybody watches, maybe we'll see fewer divorces, and that nutcase John Gray won't sell as many books!

America is waging a massive war on its home soil, a war it is losing. Our country spends $20 billion a year in drug enforcement, but the illegal drug industry is thriving. Should we even be waging this war, when alcohol is legal and pushed every night on network TV? By criminalizing drugs, we just turn non-violent citizens into criminals. And medicinal uses of marijuana are being blocked by crusading moralists yelling "family values."

It's the ultimate "feel-good" activity. But here's the truth: recycling is garbage. The recycling industry creates pollution, has to be subsidized by the government because it's cost ineffective, and is completely unnecessary. Contrary to popular belief, our landfills are not running out of space - we have enough room to last for thousands of years! So how did the bulls*** of recycling get started? We've tracked down the faceless bureaucrat who's responsible!

There's a culture war erupting in America, and "bulls***" is in the middle of it. Some groups are trying to stop the use of profanity. They claim they only want to "clean up" the airwaves. But this new censorship is creeping into all aspects of society. A whole show on words and the power we give them, focusing on the latest actions of the FCC and other anti-profanity groups. The First Amendment is under attack. Hey, what country do we live in?

The "Age of Aquarius" may be over, but its bulls*** remains, and has worked its way into the mainstream. From yoga to crystals to herbs, New Age crap is everywhere. We'll expose the bulls*** of Tarot Cards, and we'll travel to the Mecca of New Age, Sedona, Arizona, where we'll chant, sing, and seek a higher consciousness along with the parade of people who fill the town. We'll also pursue an unbelievable orgasm while holding a tantric pretzel pose in Hawaii. Breathe deep.. and repeat after me.. bulls***!

The good news: we're living longer. The bad news: the older we get, the more we're made to feel that there's something wrong with that, and so we make futile efforts to turn back the clock. From nutty diets to expensive facial creams that don't do anything. And if you're over 40, you're probably lining up for your Botox injections or extensive plastic surgery. But beware all of the "medical" claims to extend your life 'cause they're mostly bulls***. Here's the bottom line. Wrinkles are inevitable. Get used to it.

People are so afraid of even talking about death, why would we do a whole episode about it? Well, because we love saying things people don't want to hear. And people don't even want to think about their own demise. What are we so freaked out about? We'll show you that, yes, even with death, there's much to laugh about. But beware: the bulls*** in life doesn't stop after you die. Your loved ones will have to endure the many scams of the funeral industry before they can put you in the ground.

Alcoholics Anonymous has freed thousands from the grip of alcohol addiction. bulls***! There's no proof that AA or any other 12-Step program are any more effective than going cold turkey, doing things in moderation or getting medical help. And there's a debate raging whether alcoholism is even a disease! The quasi-religious 12-step groups have America brainwashed into believing that a higher power will take care of everything. Whatever happened to personal responsibility?

We'll reveal the many discrepancies and contradictions in the Bible. Why all the confusion? Shouldn't anything that is "divinely inspired" be crystal clear? Did Noah build an ark big enough to hold all those animals? Did Moses part the Red Sea? Did Jesus even exist? We'll take on the most sacred of sacred cows to show that the Bible is about as factual as the National Enquirer. Hey, we're going to burn in hell anyway, why not buy a first class ticket?

Exercise Schmexerise. Here's the shocker: the power of genetics determines your body type. Throw away all those fitness machines, gym memberships and exercise manuals, the size and shape of your body was decided the moment you were conceived. A look at the huge amount of bulls*** that is the exercise industry, a racket filled with scams. From sleazy salesmen using deceiving tactics to get you to buy a gym membership, to expensive supplements

There are some topics that are complete nonsense, and there are others, like Hypnosis, that combine an element of truth with a generous helping of bulls***. We'll go under the "spell" and show you just where the bulls*** lies. The bottom line: you never give up control when under an hypnotic spell. But you will give up your money to smooth-talking hypnotists who claim they can enlarge your penis or achieve the ultimate orgasm. We hate to ruin your sex life, but that's bulls***!