Penn & Teller: BS!

2003 • Showtime
4.6
219 reviews
TV-MA
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (13)

1 Talking to the Dead
1/24/03
A look into the practices of popular psychics of today reveals how those who claim to be in con-tact with the dead are actually performing an age-old trick called "cold reading."
2 Alien Abduction
2/7/03
This show features three days spent at a UFO convention and a visit to an alien abduction group therapy session. It also explores the psychological explanations, and the influences of pop culture, on the typical abduction story.
3 Environmental Hysteria
4/18/03
Penn and Teller explore the truth behind fears about global warming, air quality, water quality, acid rain, species extinction, and take a look at Greenpeace's activities.
4 Alternative Medicine
1/31/03
A look at chiropractic medicine, reflexology, magnet therapy, and a trip to an alternative medicine fair that ends in a "sting" operation at a crowded mall.
5 Feng Shui/Bottled Water
3/7/03
Penn and Teller put three Feng Shui home consultants to the test and feature a visit to a Feng Shui hairstylist. The craze of bottled water is a national obsession but tap water is usually safer for you, and often better tasting too. Using a hidden camera, we'll take a look at the obsession.
6 Creationism
3/14/03
This episode features a look into a Georgia school board debate.
7 Ouija Boards/Near Death Experiences
4/11/03
There's a physiological explanation that debunks it all. We'll switch the letters around on the board and see how the "spirits" like that! The "tunnel of light" and what it really is when coupled with a look at the Oklahoma centrifuge study that created NDE-like results.
8 Sex, Sex, Sex
2/28/03
This show checks out penis and breast enlargement products, techniques and myths. Also aph-rodisiacs: do they work? Expect some graphic and jaw-dropping visuals.
9 Self Helpless
3/21/03
Motivational speakers, books, videos, relationship seminars, do they really help? We'll take a look. Also, the popular motivational activity of firewalking is debunked.
10 Eat This!
4/4/03
Penn and Teller will try to prove that many diet products and diet claims are complete nonsense. Also, a look at the obsession with products that claim to be healthier for you such as organic foods, fat free foods, etc.
11 Second Hand Smoke/Baby Bullshit
2/21/03
We'll go to a hearing in NYC, where the dangers of second-hand smoke, and legislating human behavior, is being hotly debated. A look at smart videos, teaching babies to read, the "Baby Whisperer," and the baby product in-dustry that preys on guilt-ridden parents.
12 ESP
3/28/03
We'll attend a class in "remote viewing," a form of ESP that is all the rage. We'll test the teacher and the students to reveal that the "hits" they get are so vague, it's all nonsense.
13 End of the World
2/14/03
A look at people who claim that "The Sky is Falling". From Nostradamus and his misinterpreted quatrains, the "Left Behind" publishing phenomenon, to various crackpot rapture groups. Also featured: a survivalist who has converted 40 school buses into an elaborate underground com-pound that he and his friends will escape to when the bombs start dropping.

About this show

The Emmy® Nominated program fearlessly exposes dubious practices across America, Penn & Teller uncover the truth behind all kinds of so-called miracles. From anti-aging to talking to the dead, they tackle it all with their trademark wit and humor -- taking on the people who take Americans for a ride.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
219 reviews
A Google user
July 21, 2015
My concern's with the context of P&T's sources for the "PETA" episode. Their info comes from the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), an organization that lobbies for the meat industry. Check the episode's credits under "Footage & Stills Provided By" then Google "Center for Consumer Freedom". It's in their interest to smear groups like PETA, and they do it by proxy under various Websites and front organizations to confuse animal lovers and draw support away from these powerful animal welfare groups. PETA and HSUS are against what the CCF lobbies to protect. Follow the money! PETA does more for animal welfare than those who bash them. As early as season two, P&T seem to have become what they claimed to be against. And Dennis Prager's uneducated comment regarding chicken intelligence is completely wrong and false. There's an article in the Scientific American on chicken intelligence anyone can Google as well.
21 people found this review helpful
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Biafra Republik
September 3, 2015
This is missing "Holier Than Thou" from season 3 and "The Vatican" from season 7. A shame Showtime blocked them from VoD. 1 star deducted until Showtime chooses to end the censorship and make these episodes available on VoD.
21 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
October 25, 2015
Perfect exsample on the kinda crap our gov.feeds us - many people r so mis-informed. Should run this flick in all the high schools !
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