Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: Season 1
Comedy, Documentary

8.8 (2,637 votes)
Showtime  (2003) 364 mins TV-MA
In society, there are many products and ideas that we buy in to. Some of these products, services or ideas are just plain bullsh**. Well-known magicians, Penn and Teller, are here to knock some sense into people in a humorous and informal way and to explain why some things in life are just plain bullsh**.
  Ep# Description Date Time


1 Talking to the Dead: Penn and Teller take on psychics and if they really are talking to the dead. In fact, famous psychics such as John Edward are using an age-old technique called cold reading where they obtain information by asking questions and guessing rather than "talking to the dead".


2 Alternative Medicine: Penn and Teller will investigate an alternative medicine fair where they will show the humbug behind alternative medicine and why it's all just a bunch of bullshit! Aspects of alternative medicine that are looked into: chiropractic medicine, reflexology, magnet therapy and more.


3 Alien Abductions: In this episode of Penn and Teller: Bullsh**!, the topic of alien abductions is looked into. This episode looks into the stories of those who claim to have been abducted by aliens and shows the influence these stories can have on people. Penn and Teller will also visit an alien abduction therapy group where they explain their stories while the person who listens is making tons of money!


4 End of the World: Since before many of us could remember, there have been claims that the world was going to end. In this episode of Bullsh**!, Penn and Teller will take a look into these claims and predictions, From the misinterpretations of Nostradamus, to the famous and million-dollar book series: Left Behind.


5 Secondhand Smoke: Secondhand smoke, its possible health effects, and legislation against it come under the microscope in this episode.


6 Sex, Sex, Sex: Sex, sex, sex...sometimes it seems as if that's all you hear about these days. And that's often what many people think about. In this episode of Bullsh**!, Penn and Teller delve into the business of people's sexual insecurities.


7 Feng Shui: In this episode, three Feng Shui consultants who claim that Feng Shui is a "science" are put to the test when all three of them are invited into a home to provide their "science" but all three have different layouts and suggestions and are making a ton of money while they are at it.


8 Creationism: This episode takes a look into a Georgia school board debate about whether or not they should teach what's in the Bible about the creation of living things. This is claimed to be as much a 'science' by its supporters as evolution.


9 Self-Helpless: There are many people who feel they need help or are trying to find themselves. So they invest their money and faith into products and services which they believe will improve their lives. Do these products and classes really improve your life?


10 ESP: On this episode of Bullsh**!, Penn and Teller take a look into the world of ESP and how much bullsh** it really is! First, an examination of remote viewing, by which people attempt to determine the identity of a hidden object by drawing at random. Penn and Teller attend a class on remote viewing and test the students and teacher to see if it really does what it's supposed to do


11 Eat This!: In this episode, Penn and Teller offer you a new diet-that you don't eat until the show is over. Sounds like bullsh**? Well it is and so are many health products that claim will make you a healthier person and loose weight. Such as the Hollywood diet, where you don't eat anything for 48 hours except for water and the Hollywood diet shake.


12 Near Death Experiences: In this episode of Penn and Teller: Bullsh**! the guys take a look into the world of ouija boards and how people are fooled into thinking they are really contacting spirits. They show how easy it is to move it without realizing that you are the one doing it yourself! There are no spirits here


13 Environmental Hysteria: 13. Season 1, Ep 13: Environmental Hysteria8.22 ReviewsHere Penn & 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. They also examine the idea of blindly joining up for causes, such as environmental ones, without getting all the pertinent information first.
Cast and Crew
Penn Jillette  ......  Himself
Teller  ......  Himself
Director  .....  Scott Schaefer; Tim Rogan; Star Price; Joshua E. Kessler
Producer  .....  Peter Adam Golden; June Molgaard; Alex Walton
Writer  .....  Randall Moldave; John McLaughlin; Cliff Schoenberg; Penn Jillette
Notes
Trivia:
The title of the show and the constant use of profanity is, according to Penn Jillette a "legal maneuver". Because while calling people liars, frauds, charlatans and hacks could be construed as slander, calling someone a "fucker" and say that they're selling "bullshit" is okay. (more)

Quotes:
Penn Jillette: Life coaches are like hookers, which is good, except you're renting their ears instead of their genital and you never get to come! (more)

Awards:
Nominated for 11 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 4 nominations (more)