Penn Juliette's Potty Mouth

Fat Bottom Gurl

Hot Tub Hottie
Fat Bottom Gurl
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
534
I finally caught an episode of Penn and Tellers "Bullsh!t" (the one on food) on HBO. I am no prude and pepper my own speech with expletives, however, I couldn't help but wonder if Penn might be turning off those fence-sitting skeptics or simply curious channel surfers with his liberal use of the F-bomb and other sundry curse words.

Anyone know why he has such a potty mouth? I'd think he could be turning off many people who might otherwise watch the program (and be educated) but change channels after he drops the 2nd F-Bomb. Certainly it isn't something one might want their children to watch.

Are all the episodes like this?
 
Maybe he doesn't give a flying **** about the opinions of people who are offended by the f-word.

I can't imagine it turns too many people off, and I don't think the show is intended for children.
 
Debaroo said:
I finally caught an episode of Penn and Tellers "Bullsh!t" (the one on food) on HBO. I am no prude and pepper my own speech with expletives, however, I couldn't help but wonder if Penn might be turning off those fence-sitting skeptics or simply curious channel surfers with his liberal use of the F-bomb and other sundry curse words.

Anyone know why he has such a potty mouth? I'd think he could be turning off many people who might otherwise watch the program (and be educated) but change channels after he drops the 2nd F-Bomb. Certainly it isn't something one might want their children to watch.

Are all the episodes like this?
Click to expand...

I love that show. And yes, he does tend to drop the F-bomb quite often.

P.S. His name is Penn Jillette.
 
He's one of those people who cusses often because it gets more attention. He's also one of those people whose use of expletives makes him sound like he just learned some of those words last week and is still unsure of how to use 'em.

Jillette is not a good spokesman for bringing skepticism to the masses, but lots of skeptics love them some P&T. Not me...
 
Lothario said:
I love that show. And yes, he does tend to drop the F-bomb quite often.

P.S. His name is Penn Jillette.
Click to expand...

OK -thanks - I found the spelling "Juliette" on a google search. I enjoyed the show too and do hope to watch more as I am not offended by swearing, but, I do know that others are (since I myself was recently scolded for using the acryonym WTF on a forum).
 
Last edited:
Debaroo said:
I finally caught an episode of Penn and Tellers "Bullsh!t" (the one on food) on HBO. I am no prude and pepper my own speech with expletives, however, I couldn't help but wonder if Penn might be turning off those fence-sitting skeptics or simply curious channel surfers with his liberal use of the F-bomb and other sundry curse words.

Anyone know why he has such a potty mouth? I'd think he could be turning off many people who might otherwise watch the program (and be educated) but change channels after he drops the 2nd F-Bomb. Certainly it isn't something one might want their children to watch.

Are all the episodes like this?
Click to expand...

Yeah. Pretty much all of the episodes have Penn cursing at some point [the c-word for vagina + pickle is a common one... although I am not even sure what this refers to]. Although, they do an interesting episode on profanity, which they call BS, also.

It doesn't really bother me all that much, but I would agree that I wouldn't want any young children watching the show.

I would suggest checking out the profanity episode (season 2 episode 10).
 
Penn’s colourful language doesn’t offend me in the slightest. OTOH, I find the use of an infantile euphemism like “potty-mouth” deeply repellent. I feel filthy even typing it.:o
 
Magnifico2.0 said:
Jillette is not a good spokesman for bringing skepticism to the masses, but lots of skeptics love them some P&T. Not me...
Click to expand...

I disagree.

I think we need both skeptics that will hold the hands of individuals and walk them through the scientific method, and others that will give them the metaphorical slap in the face.

I think Penn provides the skeptical slap in the face.
 
Debaroo said:
Oh and does a bare breasted woman always appear in every episode?
Click to expand...

Yes. Usually multiple. And I think it is for the shock factor over the making a philosophical point factor, and also for attention. It works for me.

And, to be fair, they have tried to include naked men more often.
 
jay.tarnoff said:
I disagree.

I think we need both skeptics that will hold the hands of individuals and walk them through the scientific method, and others that will give them the metaphorical slap in the face.

I think Penn provides the skeptical slap in the face.
Click to expand...

But who is he slapping: he's preaching to a choir. Why present skepticism with such a vile manner? People who agree with him already watch the show; those who are just tuning in for a look at what skepticism has to offer... they see a loud jerk full of himself and his opinions. I prefer a gentler method.
 
Magnifico2.0 said:
But who is he slapping: he's preaching to a choir. Why present skepticism with such a vile manner?
Click to expand...

What's vile about it?

Look, the show is called "********". I don't think people are tuning in and then becoming surprised by the profanity. It's on Showtime, not TLC.
 
Magnifico2.0 said:
But who is he slapping: he's preaching to a choir. Why present skepticism with such a vile manner? People who agree with him already watch the show; those who are just tuning in for a look at what skepticism has to offer... they see a loud jerk full of himself and his opinions. I prefer a gentler method.
Click to expand...

That was my initial reaction too. As someone who is already in the choir, I still flinched at his methods I think he has a valuable message to convey but is turning off an audience due to his delivery style.
 
Magnifico2.0 said:
But who is he slapping: he's preaching to a choir. Why present skepticism with such a vile manner? People who agree with him already watch the show; those who are just tuning in for a look at what skepticism has to offer... they see a loud jerk full of himself and his opinions. I prefer a gentler method.
Click to expand...

That's fine that you prefer one method to the other. I think the bigger point is being lost here. This method will, and does, appeal to some. Hence the ratings and seven seasons now on Showtime. So it is appealing to some.

I don't think they are just preaching to the choir. They mention the amount of hate mail they get, so some watch it who have an opposite opinion as the show on at least some of the episodes. Hand holding does not work for everyone, and if this is a way for some true-believers to have their opinions challenged, I am for it.

It is Penn's and Teller's show. If they want to preach libertarianism as much as BS, it is their prerogative, inasmuch as it is your prerogative to simply change the channel.
 
Debaroo said:
That was my initial reaction too. As someone who is already in the choir, I still flinched at his methods I think he has a valuable message to convey but is turning off an audience due to his delivery style.
Click to expand...

But he might be turning on other segments of the audience. Some people like that style.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom