- published: 21 May 2015
- views: 19639
Penn & Teller (Penn Jillette and Teller) are American illusionists and entertainers who have performed together since the late 1970s, and are known for their numerous stage and television shows. Their current Las Vegas show is an amalgam of illusion and comedy. Penn Jillette is a raconteur; Teller generally does not speak while performing, although his voice can occasionally be heard during their performance. They specialize in gory tricks, exposing frauds, and performing clever pranks. More recently they have become associated with atheism, scientific skepticism, and libertarianism, particularly through their television show Penn & Teller: Bullshit!.
Penn Jillette and Teller were introduced to one another by Weir Chrisimer, and they performed their first show together at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival on 19 August 1975. From the late 1970s through 1981, Penn, Teller, and Chrisimer performed as a trio called "The Asparagus Valley Cultural Society" which played in San Francisco at the Phoenix Theater. This act was sillier and less "edgy" than today's Penn & Teller act.[citation needed] Chrisimer helped to develop some bits that continued, most notably Teller's "Shadows" trick, which involves a single red rose.
It's your first show.
You're scared to go.
You're ass from your elbow.
You can't tell what you are seein'.
Is chaos in the making.
The clubs shakin'.
The earth quakin'.
Reality on the stage.
We're not fakin'.
It's your first show.
You treat it like a joke.
You're drinking heavy straight rum no coke.
After three or four, you head toward the floor.
Stupid move.
You should've took the door.
Step by step.
We're on a mission.
So shut up and listen.
You thing we're bitchin'.