Several months ago we watched a couple of episodes of Penn & Teller's "Bull Shit!" on Showtime and thought they were interesting and provocative. But recently we got a chance to check out the entire second season's offerings from the Sacramento Public Library.
Penn & Teller are great magicians and not bad as narrators but their B.S.! has just a little too much verbiage and not enough point and counterpoint. One begins to get the feeling that all they know how to do is yell "Bull Shit!" when they could be making more serious points or discussing the other side of an argument. I shouldn't say "they" of course because Penn Jillette does all the talking while Teller is the silent straight man who is always getting the short end of the stick just like on their magic appearances.
Their entire one-sidedness worries me, NOT because the other side of their arguments needs to be defended, but because attacks like these teach people that yelling "Bull Shit!" and showing one or two problems with a position is enough to convince others of your position. Their effectiveness affects the primary audience but there is no possibility for the effect to propagate.
Items on this 3 disk set (of the entire second season) include PETA, miracle anti-aging potions, true love, fountain of youth, 12-step programs, Safety hysteria, Death, Inc, and more. I dare you to watch 3 in a row without getting sick.
I can see what you mean. I watched the one on scouting and I agreed with their gripe that scouting should be willing to accept gay and atheist boys and leaders. They made a lot of good points and had good persuasive arguments, but yes they were so bombastic and spent so little time exploring the opposite view that they strained credulity.
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