Executive Producers:
Mark Wolper and Star Price
Cast:
Penn Gillette and Teller
The Show:
Penn (he’s the talkative one) and Teller are world-renowned for performing magic tricks – and then deconstructing them so that you see the magic behind the magic. This, of course, made them naturals for this series, which takes a look at a topic, reveals some dirty secrets and/or debunks some myths about it – more or less a Mythbusters without the level of destruction and more gratuitous nudity. Yes, you’ll see topless women sprinkled about randomly during an episode. Not that this has anything to do with the show (generally), but I just thought that you might want to know. Boobs aren’t a bad thing, right?
And this is all well and good, but the question is – is the show entertaining? Well, for the most part, yes. There are some detriments to the show – Penn seems to take too much delight in saying “bullshit” on television (since it airs on Showtime), and since they’re trying to prove/disprove a point, you don’t always get the “fair and balanced” look at things that you’d like to see. Not that you ever do with any study that’s presented to you.
I don’t think these negatives outweigh the positives though. The main positive being that Penn, Teller and the producers dare to tread where most shows don’t dare think of going. And they do it while keeping their trademark sense of humour. Which is probably a good thing, seeing as the topics this season include prostitution, the death penalty, and Ground Zero.
Overall, the series is pretty good, and if you don’t get Showtime (or TMN up here in Canada) I think it’s worth taking a look at this show.
Episodes
Volume One
1 – The Boy Scouts
2 – Prostitution
3 – Death Penalty
4 – Cryptozoology
Volume Two
5 – Ground Zero
6 – Pet Love
7 – Reparations
8 – Manners
Volume Three
9 – Numbers
10 – Abstinence
The DVD:
Video:
(Presented in Fullscreen Format)
I didn’t notice anything off with the colours or picture. It seems that in general, there’s a lot less artifacing and whatnot with newer TV shows.
Audio:
(Dolby Digital English 5.1)
I’m not sure why this show HAS to be in 5.1 format. It’s not like you want to feel as if Penn is walking all around you. Be that as it may, his sometimes grating voice sounds just lovely in my speakers.
Special Features:
Photo Gallery
Filmographies
Doesn’t that excite you? To say that I’m not impressed here is a bit of an understatement. In fact, I could steal a line from Penn. You know which one I’m talking about.
