By April MacIntyre May 3, 2008, 18:13 GMT
C-Spot is available on Crackle.com (link), YouTube AOL Video Hulu, Verizon Wireless' V CAST Video service, and direct to Sony BRAVIA TVs via BRAVIA Internet Video Link, and features Sony's six original short-form comedy series distributed by Sony Pictures Television.
Penn Jillette - © PRN / PR Photos
The weekends for Crackle belong to veteran performer, Penn Jillette. "The Best of Penn Says" airs the most popular entries from Penn Jillette's unscripted web series.
Penn has a lot on his mind, whether it is the presidential race; fans, chocolate, reluctantly defending an anti-gay protest as a First Amendment right; or ranting on the latest celebrity trainwreck.
Jillette is uncensored and outspoken, his unique point-of-view and unwavering opinions on the most current and sensitive topics.
Penn's webisodes are unscrpted and unpredictable, he turns the cameras wherever the inspiration hits him. The immediacy of his posts will allow Penn to comment on events as they happen, and nothing is off-limits.
Monsters and Critics has a chance to talk to Penn the other day.
The platform Sony gives you is unique, and more intimate than your Showtime series or the Vegas shows. This intimacy is a double-edged sword, you actually share with fans how to win your heart, through copious amounts of chocolate. Given what Uma Thurman is currently going through, are you sure you want to be this accessible to strangers?
Penn: Well I’m going to have fix that one before I drown in chocolate. I don’t want to make the Ronald Reagan Jelly Bean mistake.
One of the things that I think is good for me is first of all I’m not a sex symbol and that helps a lot in terms of this – not a plus all around...money and getting laid... So I don’t have to worry crazy fans as much as Uma Thurman.
I have had a couple of bad experiences with people who get too enthusiastic but they have been few and far between because part of the reason is the accessibility itself.
After Teller and I finish shows we go out and talk to folks, we use to play small theaters with out dressing rooms and go out among the people. This still continues after my shows today. Anyone who wants to is able to come up and talk me after my shows.
I have been told many times that this takes away the mystique and specialness...not like David Blaine – but whatever.
You don’t need to cheat and use interpersonal relationships to add to mystique. Just do your f*ckin job and be nice to people.
I’m a bad ass I call people motherf**kers and a** holes. That’s my job. But it doesn’t bleed into my real life. I shake hands with people, say nice things and behave as I was brought up.
I believe in over 30 years and thousands of shows, I have never shown hostility to a fan once. I belong to fan clubs, I am a fan, I write to my fans and fan clubs. I also believe that when you allow yourself to be very accessible that you stop the powder keg of weirdness from building up.
Just for the record if you wanted to fill a fantasy then you are better off with Uma Thurman because she has big tits.
While we are on the fan subject, what was the most unusual gift you received from one?
Penn: I get lots of pictures of monkeys.
I received a wonderful quilt made of broken bottles from my act when I was juggling bottles. She took the broken pieces and wove them into a quilt which I have hanging on my wall.
People who tend to be fans of Penn and Teller tend to be phenomenally polite and sweet and pleasant. Penn and Teller fans are a subset of the world – polite, pleasant and easy to be around.
If someone brings over 80,000 lbs of chocolate Cadbury eggs, now there’s a mother f**ker you want to blow.
Politically you reveal yourself as a Libertarian it seems, and you consistently educate viewers that atheism isn't antithetical to morality. With Ron Paul's presidential campaign in the shadows now, who can you muster enthusiasm for?
Penn: Yea, I kinda sorta am a Libertarian. I imagine I will end up voting for whoever the libertarian candidate is.
But I always push hard for the option for not voting. To vote for the lesser of 2 evils – I push very hard for dignity and pride of not voting.
The only way you can waste your vote is to vote. Although I usually end up voting. I usually feel that I am going to feel good watching the libertarian numbers pop up a bit. I never came out in favor of Ron Paul for a number of reasons - I am a nut, I am very hesitant to have myself be a spokesman for anybody or anything because I am bound to say something they don’t believe in - I would rather be the loose cannon. 'I’m going to say stuff that’s going to piss you off, I’m just gonna.'
I mostly get praised..for speaking my mind, saying what I want... I haven’t suffered for my opinions at all. I live in a country that is overwhelmingly free.
It is the most freedom of speech, positive place that has ever existed on the planet. I have said whatever has popped into my head and for the most part, have received praise and success for it. I have no complaints.
Can you expand what you mean by the statement you were thankful that on Dancing with the Stars, you were "yourself", explain why you really went on the show, and what you wanted to accomplish?
Penn: I got an awful lot of advice from people as to how to talk to the judges and what to say to the press.
It’s all good advice just not advice I’m going to take. What I love about life is that I don’t seem to care about winning. I have never played a sport in my life; I have never seen a baseball or football game.
I have never watched a full game through. I will never say, 'Let’s see who can race first to that tree.” I enjoy competition in the free enterprise system trying to do the best I can.
Commerce was part of it. Whatever. Make up a number. They’re undoubtedly lying about theirs. Between 20 and 30 million people saw me on 'Dancing With The Stars' and a small percentage of those will see my show in Vegas.
Some people that saw me on 'Dancing with the Stars' will come to see 'Penn and Teller' in Vegas. I love to learn shit.
I started playing bee bop upright base when I was 45 years old with no chance of ever being the best bass player but I played until my fingers bled and until there was damage to my elbow and wrist. But now I am a passable bee bop player.
I practice like crazy and I love it and I play every single day. I could have sight-read the music from 'Dancing with the Stars'. I spent most of my time talking to the band while I was there.
When I practiced dancing I practiced really, really hard. I did all the moves. I remembered everything. I don’t have looks that they like. I am a big guy. I’m the tallest, the heaviest to ever be on the show and the oldest. The judges spent a lot of time commenting on looks. It comes with the territory.
I knew that going in and I had a blast. I loved all my rehearsals. I was the only one in the history of the show that actually enjoyed it. I was backstage before we went on and people were trembling for their lives and I was giggling and making jokes and just f**king with people. I did the best job I could with what I had. It’s not their fault I had a good time. I have a good time waiting in line in the cold.
Themes of hypocrisy and mendacity seem to light you up and produce some great screed material for Crackle/Sony. Do you have anyone suggesting to you ideas for these taped monologues, or do you just go with what is eating you at the moment?
Penn: My wife always talk about this … she always says, “Shouldn’t you say something about Jeremiah Wright and what you think about him??”
A lot of times people will ask me after the show and tell me what they want to hear. I do what I’m told. If someone says to me why don’t you do this? If I have an idea I will. But if I don’t have an idea, I say 'I’m sorry.'
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????May 3rd, 2008 - 18:44:40
Am I the only one who can't stand Jillett?
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???? 2May 4th, 2008 - 16:47:21
Yes.
LibMay 4th, 2008 - 23:31:45
It seems you are the only one, yes.
TeufelblitzMay 5th, 2008 - 10:09:48
No, you are not the only one. Even he will admit that there are quite a few people who really dislike him. He's one of my favorite people, personally.
LyingEyesMay 5th, 2008 - 15:02:55
Nope ......many dislike him for not only speaking out but backing his views with facts.
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????May 3rd, 2008 - 18:44:40
Am I the only one who can't stand Jillett?
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