Early 20th century master illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini was also (famously) a part-time ghostbuster who debunked claims of fairy sightings and reports of communication with the dead. Now come Penn and Teller, also brilliant tricksters and fierce skeptics, skewering faith in the paranormal and other unsubstantiated baloney in Showtime's zany series Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, which finds garrulous Penn Jillette and silent partner Teller deconstructing such perennial hokum as "Talking to the Dead" (an investigation into predatory practices of such celebrity mediums as John Edward), "ESP" (a cold examination of power-of-the-mind fakery), and "Alien Abduction" (an attack on "regression therapists" who rip off the impressionable). Other targets in this 13-episode first season set find P&T taking swipes at pseudo-science (creationism), unethical industries (sexual enhancement), and even alt-lifestyle sacred cows (such as herbal medicine and feng shui). DVD extras include a bonus episode, funny outtakes, deleted scenes, and interviews with the hosts. Recommended. (T. Keogh)
Penn & Teller: Bullshit!
Showtime, 3 discs, 364 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 Volume 19, Issue 4
Penn & Teller: Bullshit!
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