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Penn & Teller: Bullshit!
S1.E2
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IMDbPro

Alternative Medicine

  • Episode aired Jan 31, 2003
  • TV-14
  • 29m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
235
YOUR RATING
Penn Jillette and Teller in Penn & Teller: Bullshit! (2003)
ComedyDocumentary

Penn and Teller set out to debunk reflexologists, magnetic healers and chiropractors.Penn and Teller set out to debunk reflexologists, magnetic healers and chiropractors.Penn and Teller set out to debunk reflexologists, magnetic healers and chiropractors.

  • Directors
    • Star Price
    • Keith Cornell
    • R.L. Shontell
  • Writers
    • Penn Jillette
    • Teller
    • David Wechter
  • Stars
    • Penn Jillette
    • Teller
    • Bruce Kimmel
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    235
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Star Price
      • Keith Cornell
      • R.L. Shontell
    • Writers
      • Penn Jillette
      • Teller
      • David Wechter
    • Stars
      • Penn Jillette
      • Teller
      • Bruce Kimmel
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos26

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    Top cast11

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    Penn Jillette
    Penn Jillette
    • Self - Host
    Teller
    Teller
    • Self - Host
    Bruce Kimmel
    • Dr. Learly
    Stephen Barrett
    • Self - Consumer Advocate
    Zachary Brinkerhoff
    • Self - Reflexologist
    Charles E. Duvall
    • Self - Chiropractor
    • (as Charles E. Duvall Jr.)
    Laura Lawson
    • Self - Magnet Therapy Patient
    Daniel David Palmer
    • Self
    Robert Park
    • Self - Professor of Physics
    William H. Philpott
    • Self - Magnet Therapist
    Jeff Ptak
    • Self - Chiropractor
    • Directors
      • Star Price
      • Keith Cornell
      • R.L. Shontell
    • Writers
      • Penn Jillette
      • Teller
      • David Wechter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.9235
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    Featured reviews

    J. Spurlin

    Penn and Teller set out to debunk reflexologists, magnetic healers and chiropractors in this amusing, but sometimes disturbing, episode.

    Penn and Teller set out to debunk reflexology, which is applying pressure to the feet to cure various illnesses; and magnet therapy, which is using magnets on the body to do the same. They also investigate chiropractors and discover that while these doctors can deliver the same benefits as good masseurs, they aren't able to treat diseases unrelated to the spine. Meanwhile, they test the gullibility of the public at a local mall by offering magnetic hats and "snail mucus" facials.

    Yes, the people who got snail mucus facials allowed the jokesters to put snails on their faces. The power of suggestion allowed them to think their wrinkles were actually disappearing.

    It was good to see the dubious healers exposed for what they are; I was less amused to see the gulls at the mall, particularly the woman in the magnetic hat. Penn and Teller had to make their point, I suppose; and certainly their ridicule could have been worse. I have to tentatively approve their methods, even though my heart is not in it.

    I disliked Penn's smarmy expression of distaste at a chiropractor who treats children. I agree with Penn. But he ought to have made his point and left it alone. There was no need to preen himself with his finer moral feelings. That undercuts his point; it doesn't reinforce it.

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      In an October 4, 2011 Reddit questions list, Penn explained that after this episode aired, one night at a performance a woman told them that she was part of 50 chiropractors in the audience that were there to tell them they were boycotting Penn & Teller.
    • Soundtracks
      Penn & Teller: Bullshit! Theme Song
      Written by Gary Stockdale

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 31, 2003 (United States)
    • Production companies
      • Showtime Networks
      • Penn & Teller
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 29m

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