For my money, there’s no better form of ASMR than Penn Jillette screaming through my TV as he and his silent partner, Teller, to rip apart society in Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t! Promoted as a comedy docuseries with a libertarian bent, Bullsh*t! takes on everything from fast food and alien abductions to organic farming and talking to the dead. Each episode stands on its own, running from 2003 to 2010, and if you don’t have a headstrong friend to argue politics with, this series is the next best thing.
Or, if you tend to agree with Penn and Teller’s spicy takes, you can just pat yourself on the back and enjoy the ride.
Framing The Show With Illusions And Magic
Every episode of Bullsh*t! kicks off the same way: Penn and Teller step onto a stark white sound stage to tee up the topic of the day. Armed with their signature blend of chaotic magic tricks and optical illusions, they lay out their stance before sending producers to interview experts and talking heads to back them up. Sure, selective editing plays a role, but more often than not, they target the loudest, most absurd voices behind whatever movement they’re tearing down.
Better Hope You’re On The Right Side
One of my favorite episodes of Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t! is Season 8’s “Fast Food.” Here, Penn and Teller argue that fast food isn’t the evil empire it’s often painted to be. They pit anti-obesity activist Meme Roth, who seems more interested in shaming overweight people than discussing policy, against CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder, who points out that his restaurants sell soda and French fries because they taste good.
Meanwhile, the show follows the Badillos, a working-class family that regularly eats fast food because it fits their busy lifestyle. They use portion control, stick to a budget, and clearly eat for sustenance, not gluttony. To cap it off, chefs run a blind taste test using only fast food ingredients plated like fine dining, proving how skewed our perceptions of “healthy” versus “junk” food can be.
And, of course, Penn peppers the episode with venomous commentary and profanity, while Teller gives his trademark knowing nod.
We Get It, You’re Atheists
On a cynical day, Penn’s delivery can feel like that meme, “The Bible Read in a Condescending Voice by a 14-Year-Old Atheist.” But honestly, that’s part of the package.
Penn has always been outspoken about his lack of faith in organized religion, so if you go into Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t! expecting subtlety on religious topics, that’s on you. While some believers may want to skip those episodes, it’s hard to deny that Jillette’s passion and showmanship make him one of the more entertaining figures you could pick to challenge your worldview.
Streaming Bullsh*t!
At its core, Bullsh*t! is a comedy series, but the kind that leaves you thinking. I don’t always agree with them, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t fun to laugh at conspiracy theorists chasing Bigfoot or activists screaming about soda machines.
If you hate having your beliefs challenged by a guy yelling through your TV, Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t! probably isn’t for you. But if you go in with an open mind, you’ll have a blast watching their crew take on recycling, Walmart, the Boy Scouts, and even the Second Amendment.
As of this writing, you can stream Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t! on Hulu.
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