Penn & Teller Bull****: Numbers - 05/29/06
05-29-06, 12:24 AM
#1
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Penn & Teller Bull****: Numbers - 05/29/06
Showtime 9:00pm CDT (repeated one hour later)
This could be interesting.
Next week: Abstinence
They say numbers don't lie, but in the hands of the media, politicians, pollsters and salesmen, numbers can be downright subversive. BULLSHIT meets the author of Damned Lies and Statistics - he tells us how numbers are craftily manipulated based on political affiliation and agenda. The numerically ambiguous world of Vacation Time Shares leaves our undercover operative dazed and confused. We also take street cons to Las Vegas - a town built on Numbers - and reveal how readily most of us can be cheated. And we look into the bullshit behind political polls, gambling odds and state lotteries.
Next week: Abstinence
05-31-06, 08:12 PM
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
Just watched this tonight. Kinda disappointing, IMO. It seemed more like an episode on playing mind games with people using numbers.
I thought they'd do more about how food manufacturers play with numbers to get results they want, like considering a 20 oz bottle of soda 2.5 servings so they can claim 100 calories, or looking at stores pricing items at .99 to make it look like a smaller price than the rounded dollar, etc...
-jason
I thought they'd do more about how food manufacturers play with numbers to get results they want, like considering a 20 oz bottle of soda 2.5 servings so they can claim 100 calories, or looking at stores pricing items at .99 to make it look like a smaller price than the rounded dollar, etc...
-jason
05-31-06, 10:05 PM
#7
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A potentially decent episode done poorly. The cockroach "trick" at the beginning was pretty pathetic and took up way too much time. I understand the point they were making but anyone who did not figure it out is not very smart. It seemed like they were straining to fill up the time by wasting time dragging things out. There's a lot they could have done. This one was much like what they did in most of Season 3.
05-31-06, 10:08 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
I'm not sure any of it was good.
Penn: Check this out. Teller, do some math.
[Teller writes 2 + 2 = 5 on a chalkboard]
Penn: Two plus two equals five? Numbers are bullshit!
30 minutes of that.
das
Penn: Check this out. Teller, do some math.
[Teller writes 2 + 2 = 5 on a chalkboard]
Penn: Two plus two equals five? Numbers are bullshit!
30 minutes of that.
das
06-01-06, 08:16 AM
#9
DVD Talk Special Edition
Originally Posted by AndyCleveland
they wasted too much time on that cockroach scenario. an average episode at best.
-jason
06-01-06, 05:27 PM
#10
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They ripped on the validity of polls, which so many seem to worship (probably because they are so hyped by the media). That's what I really hoping to see going in. That alone made the episode worthwhile. The only useful poll is a stripper's pole.
"Hey, Lutz, you're an idiot!"
The cash-change trick was pretty cool too.
"Hey, Lutz, you're an idiot!"
The cash-change trick was pretty cool too.
06-01-06, 05:35 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by Red Dog
The cash-change trick was pretty cool too.
06-01-06, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by movielib
I think a lot of people would have seen through it. Being in retail I know I would have. I have to wonder how many people they had to try it on to get the one who bit.
You give the carbon blobs too much credit.
Being in retail doesn't make one a numbers guru. I've been amazed with some of the change I've received in transactions over the years.
For example, give a cashier $22.03 for a $12.03 bill and wait for the confused look.
Last edited by Red Dog; 06-01-06 at 05:41 PM.
06-01-06, 05:47 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Red Dog
For example, give a cashier $22.03 for a $12.03 bill and wait for the confused look.
06-01-06, 06:01 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by adamblast
Or worse, an angry look. A lot of retailers these days--and especially food joints--treat you like a pest for doing *anything* other than giving them an automatic $20. Heaven forbid they should have to think, or slowdown their seconds-per-customer ratio.
But then, I've always been good with numbers.
But also, I will always try to pay $22.03 for the $12.03 purchase. I rarely get a confused look. Even the math impaired can use the "amount tendered" key that then tells them the change on any modern cash register.
Last edited by movielib; 06-01-06 at 06:04 PM.
06-01-06, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by movielib
Personally I like it much more when I get the $22.03; it makes it much easier for me to make change. In fact, if someone gives me a twenty for an $11 or $10.50 purchase I'll ask if they want to give me a single (or $.50 or $1 in the case of the latter) as well. Usually they do and appreciate it that they don't have to get back so many bills.
But then, I've always been good with numbers.
But also, I will always try to pay $22.03 for the $12.03 purchase. I rarely get a confused look. Even the math impaired can use the "amount tendered" key that then tells them the change on any modern cash register.
But then, I've always been good with numbers.
But also, I will always try to pay $22.03 for the $12.03 purchase. I rarely get a confused look. Even the math impaired can use the "amount tendered" key that then tells them the change on any modern cash register.
You clearly must not be a Best Buy cashier.
06-01-06, 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by movielib
Personally I like it much more when I get the $22.03; it makes it much easier for me to make change.
06-01-06, 08:14 PM
#19
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Originally Posted by das Monkey
Bud Abbott: You got two tens for a five?
das
das
06-04-06, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by movielib
I think a lot of people would have seen through it. Being in retail I know I would have. I have to wonder how many people they had to try it on to get the one who bit.
06-05-06, 02:12 AM
#22
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I liked the ep, though the N&N's and cockroach examples were way too long and really didn't show anything. I like that they looked at the bullshit of polling, but wish they took it a little further.
