Penn and Teller's Male Cow Dung!

[Aethyopea]

In case you haven't heard of this show, here's what Wikipedia has to say about it.

Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, rendered Penn & Teller: B.S.!, Bullsh*t!, Bulls***! or Bull! for advertisements, is an American documentary television series that has been on the air since 2003 on the premium cable channel Showtime on Thursday nights at 10 pm ET. In Canada, the series airs on The Movie Network and Movie Central. It is hosted by professional magicians/comedians Penn & Teller. Many episodes aim to debunk pseudoscientific ideas, paranormal beliefs, and popular fads and misconceptions, often from a libertarian point of view, the political philosophy espoused by both Penn and Teller. The show criticizes proponents of what they perceive as nonsense and dishonesty — bullshit — often citing ulterior political or financial motives. The stated aim of the show is to apply critical thinking to misconceptions. As is indicated by the show's title, the program adheres to Penn & Teller's characteristically blunt, aggressive presentation.

So, what does NSG think about it?

[Pleasant Euphemisms]

Sounds... fascinating.

[Lackadaisical2]

Nothing much to talk about, its a show. Is it even still airing?

[Blau Stein]

I like the show.

[Greed and Death]

Nothing much to talk about, its a show. Is it even still airing?

yeah recently beat Monday night football in ratings.

[Seven Points]

I love it, but I'm mostly in agreement with their points so that's a given. They've only challenged a couple of my assumptions.

[Melkor Unchained]

I love it, but I'm mostly in agreement with their points so that's a given. They've only challenged a couple of my assumptions.

I was surprised with the recycling episode. I like (and mostly agree with) what they say too, but that one actually made a few points I hadn't considered.

[Ad Nihilo]

I have seen quite a few episodes (even though I'm from the UK), and I find it quite amusing. As for libertarianism, it certainly doesn't seem like Ron Paul kind of libertarianism, and a lot more of a George Carlin sort. Which is really more of a philosophical anarchism, rather than the American libertarianism.

[Numerika]

I found it mildly entertaining but I shut it out when they drank the global warming denier koolaid. Not that we should expect much from magicians, but they really pulled the rabbit out of the asshat on that one.

[Free Soviets]

unfortunately, being glibertarians, they occasionally get bogged down by their own bullshit. for example, the global warming episode.

[Natvia]

I like it.

It's funny and informative.

Basically edutainment. But it doesn't make me cringe and wince to call it that.

[Manticore Reborn]

I think it is a great show. It is funny and informative.

[Manticore Reborn]

I think it is a great show. It is funny and informative.

[Call to power]

if I was a libertarian looking to have a wank then yes it would be top of my viewing list.





however I'm an adult and un-American so no and their own unique blend of investigative journalism make me want to smash things even when they are just picking on obvious loons (for a reference to what they could do see: Louis Theroux)

It is hosted by professional magicians/comedians Penn & Teller.

IF.I.TALK.IN.AN.ANGRY.VOICE.I.WILL.BE.FUNNY

[Thulcan]

86% of our population likes the show.

[Manticore Reborn]

...however I'm an adult and un-American...

Un-American policy or Un-American People or Un-American Culture, etc...

[Call to power]

Un-American policy or Un-American People or Un-American Culture, etc...

all of the above?

[Schwabenreich]

Never heard of them, then again I'm in Australia and don't have pay-TV so I'm pretty isolated, the op has got me wanting to watch it though, though I wouldn't identify myself as a libertarian (far from it).

[Manticore Reborn]

Un-American policy or Un-American People or Un-American Culture, etc...

all of the above?

May I ask why? I know alot of American are ignorant, but not all.

[Intangelon]

Good show if you remember that it's got its own slant and you take that into account. They're kind of a libertarian Michael Moore with more titty showing.

That said, I didn't know half the stuff they said about Mother Theresa, and it all checked out. Greedy, two-faced user. The Yoga episode was funny too: "c'mon, it's STRETCHING!!!"

Fun to watch when you need to vent and you haven't got the words.

[Call to power]

Never heard of them, then again I'm in Australia and don't have pay-TV so I'm pretty isolated, the op has got me wanting to watch it though, though I wouldn't identify myself as a libertarian (far from it).

you get Home and Away as soon as its released though so I call it a worthy trade off

May I ask why? I know alot of American are ignorant, but not all.

I'm not American ergo the un

but thank you for showing the victim complex it makes me proud to wave the upside-down on fire stars and stripes

[Melkor Unchained]

Good show if you remember that it's got its own slant and you take that into account. They're kind of a libertarian Michael Moore with more titty showing.

That said, I didn't know half the stuff they said about Mother Theresa, and it all checked out. Greedy, two-faced user. The Yoga episode was funny too: "c'mon, it's STRETCHING!!!"

Fun to watch when you need to vent and you haven't got the words.

I'd agree with this assessment with the qualifier that they don't beat you over the head with their politics quite like Michael Moore does. If you know what to look for you can pick it out, but it has mostly to do with the issues they select and the position they take rather than coming out and directly saying x or y about a political principle. Maybe that's changed though, I haven't seen any recent episodes.

[Manticore Reborn]

but thank you for showing the victim complex it makes me proud to wave the upside-down on fire stars and stripes

What you call the Victim Complex is actually just curiosity. How do you know if I'm an american or not?

[Aethyopea]

I love it, but I'm mostly in agreement with their points so that's a given. They've only challenged a couple of my assumptions.

I used to like it (despite being a Belgian centrist), but I kinda dislike it now. They're capable of some amazingly stupid arguments both inside the show and outside of it. For instance, in the "liberals think they know everything" bit on youtube, Penn used stereotyping (using the actions of one guy who was probably just trying to impress his date to say that all liberals think they know everything), baseless accusations (saying we don't know what will happen if we use healthcare with no proof that we don't know) and pretending they "won" a debate without ever actually debating the guy. He also used Hitler as an example of a socialist in the World Peace episode (technically not entirely wrong, but could you really not find a better person to be a socialist than Hitler?). And the public smoking episode used data from a "skeptic" with ties to Big Tobacco.

The show's format is also rather dubious. The people P&T support are get more screentime and usually get in the last word. This gives them an unfair advantage and makes the show more about mocking opponents than understanding their arguments and giving them a decent rebuttal. It makes me embarassed to watch the show even when I agree with them.They're also sensationalist as hell.

I do think they honestly say the things they believe in, and I still think they're good if they debunk pseudoscience, but once they get political, they've got logical fallacies and up the wazoo!

[Ad Nihilo]

Aye, but they are an American entertainment show on Comedy Central, not a BBC4 Documentary. Of course they have complete and utter disregard for journalistic standards, since they are not in the business of journalism. Rather they are in the business of entertainment.

And as a librul who obviously knows everything, I don't really take offence. I very much doubt I would actually enjoy meeting either of them in person - they seem like a couple of right twats. But the show is still pretty fun.