Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Season 1

January 7, 2011 (15 years ago)

8 episodes

6.0/10

Jonathan Ross presents this series in which Penn & Teller aim to find the brightest up-and-coming illusionists. Each show challenges aspiring magicians to try to fool the duo with their most baffling trick in a bid to win the prize of a lifetime - the chance to perform in Penn & Teller's stage show in Las Vegas.

Key Crew

Writer

Penn Jillette

Age 55 (now 71)

S01E01

Teller Sucks... Helium

43m

January 7, 2011

This week, the reigning world card trick champion, Shawn Farquhar, does the impossible right under Penn's nose. Plus Cuba's greatest magician - Manuel Martinez, who now lives in Margate - takes to the stage, and one act performs the most stunning climax to a trick ever seen on TV. Will any of the hopefuls manage to fool Penn and Teller?

S01E02

6.0/10

Stab a Card, Any Card…

43m

June 18, 2011

In tonight's show, comedy magician Mark Shortland gives Jonathan the fright of his life, French genius Mathieu Bich is stupendously mysterious, double act Young and Strange give stage illusions their own special twist and card shark Daniel Madison shows why the casinos are scared of him. After facing the challengers, Penn and Teller will close the show with a fantastic new trick of their own.

S01E03

Solid Goldfish

43m

July 25, 2011

Ross hosts and a number of magicians attempt to fool Penn and Teller with their best trick. If successful they manage to snag for themselves a spot in P&T’s Vegas stage show. Tonight comedy magician Piff the Magic Dragon performs his amazing illusions with the assistance of his trusty Chihuahua sidekick Mr Piffles, Hungarian magician Soma mesmerizes using mobile phones, Alan Hudson performs some musical predictions and street magician Damien O’Brien shows off some unique card tricks. Penn and Teller themselves also make an appearance on stage with some of their trademark incredible routines.

S01E04

Teller Is a Blockhead

43m

July 2, 2011

This episode has 15-year-old Daniel Kramer from North London show card & physical tricks, Romany (Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year 2006) performs while tied up with rope, Alan Rorrison shows off some close-up magic and Richard Bellars returns from a previous episode to see if he can fool Penn & Teller by predicting the outcome of some challenges he sets for them on-stage...

S01E05

Penn Gets Nailed

43m

July 9, 2011

French illusionists Cubic Act, who use a magical box on stage, card expert Michael Vincent, Victorian magicians Morgan & West and award-winning performer Nick Einhorn try to outwit the double act with mind-boggling tricks, in the hope of landing a gig with them in Las Vegas. The duo also perform a trick involving a nailgun.

S01E06

The Magic of Polyester

43m

July 16, 2011

Aspiring magicians try to baffle masters of magic Penn and Teller. Sweden's hottest magic double act perform 'The World's Most Difficult' - and painful - card trick.

S01E07

A Bellyful of Needles

43m

July 23, 2011

In today's episode, illusionists High Jinx, danger man Jon Allen, comedy mentalist Graham Jolley, and James more are the acts vying for a chance to win magic's greatest gig. After facing the challengers, Penn and Teller will close the show with a fantastic new trick of their own.

S01E08

Water Tanks for the Memories

43m

August 30, 2011

This edition features Laura London - whose trick is as amazing as her outfit, 15-year-old card trickster Jack Taperell with nerves of steel, and mentalist Lee Hathaway with a mind-reading stomach. Plus Martin Daniels, son of magic legend Paul Daniels, performs his dad's all-time favourite trick. To close the show, Penn & Teller perform the world's first underwater card trick - with a shocking twist.