Penn & Teller: BS

[C~G]

So what are your thoughts about this show?

Personally I do like the show but there are obvious things they push for and there have been couple of episodes that hava been almost difficult to watch. This is especially when linked with libertarian "all business is good business"-type of jibberish or exactly just showing the one side of the issue especially concentrating into things that they want in order the original issue to look bad or good. And I think one of the problems is that it's only 30-minute show so it's mostly sensational material and more deeper analysis of anything is simply disregarded.

Those things almost ruin the show for me.

 

[Fronx]

I agree with all that you said, expect about the "ruining the show for me" -part. For me that is just "meh, thats how the show is made" -kind of thing. As long as I understand that thats how the show is made.


In my opinion the episode where they were pro-smoking was most "difficult", as there they ignored some 'truths' totally. But most (actually, ALL) episodes are worth watching and more.

 

[Elrohir]

Eh, it's OK. They have moments of true greatness interspersed with lots of boring or biased stuff. The ironic thing is that lots of people (And by that, I mean the slashdot libertarians who populate lots of the internet and generally love this show) treat Penn and Teller like they're gods who have the final word on everything, when in truth they're just one more voice in a larger marketplace of ideas. There's BS in BS, in other words.

 

[C~G]

I agree with all that you said, expect about the "ruining the show for me" -part. For me that is just "meh, thats how the show is made" -kind of thing. As long as I understand that thats how the show is made.

Yeah.

I just mean there's room for improvement.

In my opinion the episode where they were pro-smoking was most "difficult", as there they ignored some 'truths' totally. But most (actually, ALL) episodes are worth watching and more.

Second hand smoke episode was total wreckage in my opinion and the part of Wal-Mart episode where they talked about advantages of sweatshops was like...crap. There have been some others as well.

And some of the credentials of their "experts" who they rely on (there are particular ones with which I would be ready to shoot the tv just like they presented in one episode) are more than a scretch.

And I agree with you Elrohir. You have to stay critical whathever is the source. But it's probably certain kind of crowd think Penn&Teller are always right on the spot.

 

[Azale]

They usually right on the spot (not always). I never find myself disgusted after a show, they genuinely seem to be trying to get the truth out of the topic they are discussing.

Better than 95% of television these days.

 

[bhsup]

I disagree with some, love most. Probably an 80/20 love/disagree split.

The episode on recycling had me rolling when they kept adding more and more recycling trash bins to the mix and the folks were like "yeah, that's fine, I can deal with dividing my trash into 8 separate bins".

 

[Erik Mesoy]

We have about 4 bins at home and I don't even think about them consciously when sorting. Paper here, plastic there, glass here, other waste in that one, milk cartons get folded and sent to recycling separately.

 

[Phlegmak]

So what are your thoughts about this show?

Personally I do like the show but there are obvious things they push for and there have been couple of episodes that hava been almost difficult to watch. This is especially when linked with libertarian "all business is good business"-type of jibberish or exactly just showing the one side of the issue especially concentrating into things that they want in order the original issue to look bad or good. And I think one of the problems is that it's only 30-minute show so it's mostly sensational material and more deeper analysis of anything is simply disregarded.

Those things almost ruin the show for me.

I think the most enlightening episode they had was the anti-terror surveillance episode. It was something about the Patriot Act. I don't remember where I saw the episode in question either. Youtube maybe?

 

[smoochy]

love the show, 90% agree with them

 

[GenMarshall]

The only show I did not liked was when they bashed the Bible and Religion.

Mythbusters is far more entertaining with explosions

 

[Elrohir]

Truly, Mythbusters > Penn and Teller.

 

[holiday_hawk]

I really like the shows. I may not agree with them on all shows but I still like to watch them all. They are pretty funny and it is probably one of my favorite shows.

 

[CurtSibling]

Never been a fan of these guys.

...

 

[Loki130]

I've only seen a few episodes but I liked them all. Still, everyone has an agenda...

 

[Fifty]

I don't like it much when the topic is political issues (global warming, college, etc.). I love it when the topic is debunking charlatans (alternative medicine, ESP, talking to the dead, etc.)

 

[Azale]

I don't like it much when the topic is political issues (global warming, college, etc.). I love it when the topic is debunking charlatans (alternative medicine, ESP, talking to the dead, etc.)

The best one I've seen was the one involving dolphins. Perhaps it was like shooting fish in a barrel (aka waaay to easy) but it was funny as hell

 

[Perfection]

I liked the college one Fifty, but some of the other political ones I don't like. Why didn't you care for the college one, Mr. Fifty?

 

[luiz]

I liked the few episodes I saw. They used to air them over here on FX, but stopped.

I think I saw one where they petitioned to ban the dangerous chemical product H20. That was hilarious.

 

[Perfection]

Never been a fan of these guys.

...

Why not, Mr. Sibling?

 

[emzie]

Truly, Mythbusters > Penn and Teller.

Ugh, no. Mythbusters is fun to watch when it's edited down to the 10 minute show it really is. An hour is just too taxing.