Penn's Sunday School
by Penn's Sunday School
Join us as Penn Jillette, Matt Donnelly, and YOU discuss the news of the week. We'll examine religious news, talk about monkeys, and anything else that seems funny or makes us mad. We'll also take your suggestions for things you feel like talking about. We run a live video stream from Show Creators Studios for people with the time and inclination to watch people sitting and talking. The live show starts Sundays at noon Vegas time, at www.twitch.tv/reddirich, & is usually available for download from your favorite podcast aggregator by 9 am Monday morning.
Episodes
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Catching Up to the Year
Penn takes in some movies and continues to ponder life after his back procedure, The Committee, running for judge and other thoughts on the election, a unique way to scout magic tricks for Penn's play, and lots more.
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Susan Huckle - The Earth Is Flat?!
Author Susan Huckle joins the show to discuss her book, The Earth Is Flat?! And Other Things My Mother Taught Me: How a Childhood in the Evangelical Church Became an Adulthood in Conspiracy Theories. Susan's Pentecostal upbringing and journey to Atheism, experiences interacting with Christians,...
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Kari Coleman
Kari Coleman, co-writer with Penn on his new play and longtime collaborator, joins the show to talk her previous career as a fire eater and fake psychic, current experiences as an actor and improviser, finding two truths, remarkable collaborators in a way that make any other collaborators...
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The Veins Take It Back
Penn's stress test went better than expected so it's on to bad legs, a gift from Piff the Magic Dragon, Matt starts a new magical and musical gig in Las Vegas, the most polite person ever backstage at the big Penn & Teller Show, not everyone gets a trophy but everyone gets a photo, and lots more.
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The Supreme Want
A surprisingly casual and familiar visit to the ER, Penn's average conversations, thoughts on the Billy Joel documentary, Springsteen's easy interviews, the weirdest lyrics ever, and lots more.
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Analysis Is Not a Recipe
A bizarre coincidence on stage at the big Penn & Teller show, Matt performs in Chicago and dives deep into Penn's performing style while developing The Tricksters, tackling classics of both music and literature, Penn's hometown makes the news, and lots more.
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A Three Hour Tour
Penn is back from touring the UK with Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe and now in L.A. where he discovered he hates workshops but loves vegan cream cheese. A new failure, airport wheelchairs, how sticky notes work, Matt is writing and preparing to perform with The Tricksters: Inside Penn & Teller's…
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High Penn
Inspired by listener suggestions in a previous episode, Penn held a Zoom hangout and loose question and answer session with Patreon Members of the Congregation last month, directly from his back procedure, still high on pain medication. This is the result. Matt is at an airport, Reddi Rich is...
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Piff & Pop
In this bank episode recorded last month, Piff the Magic Dragon joins the show to reflect on the epic pre-tour performances of Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe at the Magic Castle. What Penn and Piff have learned from performing with each other onstage, running around excitedly with a bottle, the real...
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You From Jersey?
Penn's spine has inspired his performance, final rehearsals for Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe inspire a discussion on the pros and cons of theatricality in magic, how Bruce Springsteen inspired Penn & Teller, Penn recalls the most starstruck he's ever been, and lots more.
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Just Happy About Everything
Penn is joined by guest host Sarah Lowe as he remembers David Fair of Half Japanese through stories, memories, and music. Plus, the history of 50 Skidillion Watts of Power in the Hands of Babies Records, Penn breaks tapes out of the vault, The Bank of Penn, a really good feta, Herseys Syrup and...
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It’s Amazing to See the Power of Kindness
Penn shares memories and reflects on the life, career, and immeasurable generosity of spirit of Juan Tamariz, plus the easiest book Penn has ever written, thoughts on Penn & Teller's Magic and Mystery Tour, a Thanksgiving dinner gone wrong, Matt performs at the Magic Castle and reflects on his...
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I Won’t Laugh at You for Being Stupid
Penn explores why he never got into politics, Matt saw the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere, zines, postcard club, and an inadvertent lollygag, the right way to eat pretzels and french fries, and lots more.
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Are You in the Right Window?
Penn's new pain relief comes with unexpected results, Matt visits an 88 year old magic festival and is also an improv god, Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe rehearsals roll on, how Penn deals with criticism, Penn from the future, and lots more.
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Distracted by Pain and a Sticky Microphone
Penn contemplates a sedan chair, Matt recounts an embarrassing moment with Olivia Newton-John and saw two very different Las Vegas magic shows, Penn should have gone to Hawaii to ride motorcycles with Lou Reed, more audience volunteers at the big Penn & Teller show, and lots more,
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If There’s One Thing That Defines the Pursuit of Happiness...
Penn gets a nice mention from The Flying Karamazov Brothers and continues to discover the unexpected joys of performing seated on a stool, Matt performs magic for different audiences in Nashville, the life and legacy of Paul Reubens, unexpected concert tour lineups, and lots more.
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Just Gravity and Age
Penn recaps his week of cancelled travel, adjusting to performing seated again, and TV star medical treatment. Plus, judging a book by its cover, stories of both Matt Donnelly the Mind Noodler and Bobby Slayton picking the wrong volunteers on stage, Reddi Rich pitches a new sci-fi story to Penn,...
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Rock Jumps Won’t Kill You Until One of Them Does
Penn hurt his back but it's nothing compared to jumping in high heeled cowboy boots, Matt headlines a comedy show with magic, chandelier girls, Penn goes from Lou Reed to Bob Dylan, Debbie Harry's accidental straightjacket escape, well lit houses, and lots more.
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You’re Asking if There’s an Adult?
Penn is busy rehearsing and preparing to travel the UK in a van with Piff & Pop's Magic Shoppe, Penn and Matt have very different experiences with Stephen Colbert, foisting the variety arts on audiences expecting to see a band, Penn's memories of Independence Day (the movie and the holiday), and...
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Oops, This Deck of Cards Really Is Shuffled!
Penn is at his best when things don't go to plan, Matt follows the Penn Jillette school of thought on magic preparation - with results as expected live on stage, some new musicians performing with Bob Dylan lead to an in-depth look at guitar tech with a connection to Penn & Teller: BS!, and lots...
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Scorpions and Spiders
Matt has some fun ideas to surprise Penn, a brand new opener at the big Penn & Teller Show, Sean Connery went face to glass with an arachnid, Penn hits UK morning talk shows to promote Piff and Pop's Magic Shoppe, and lots more.
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Triangular Triscuits and Other Snacks
Penn & Teller hit up Jimmy Fallon in the midst of the Knicks championship run and perform to sold out crowds in Toronto, Bob Dylan on growing older and Penn on the definition of good vs. bad writing, Penn is busy writing new books and plays, Matt at The Magician's Room Las Vegas, and lots more.
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Carr Hagerman - Out Of The Blue
Penn's friend of more than 50 years, Carr Hagerman, shares his deeply personal story of being falsely accused. From the initial allegations and arrest, through a very public reaction and trial, to his acquittal and trying to find a way to move forward with hope and inspiration. Check out Carr's...
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You Don’t Add Cars to a Moving Train
Penn's search for more Spanish language learning leads to a world of undercover cops and fake family histories, a cleansing trip to McDonalds, the horse won the race, Zoom doesn't know jokes, and lots more.
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A Y’all and a Wicked
Penn takes a new view on plastics, TV algorithm suggestions, Matt gets asked a confusing question following his show at The Magician's Room, thoughts on the most requested magic trick of all time, and lots more.
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I Can't Take It!
Searching for late night vegan food in Atlantic City, Penn's upcoming, new book, the saga of merch at Matt the Mind Noodler's magic shows, Penn's excited about a new music documentary, discussing DTF St. Louis, and lots more!
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Same As Downtown, Father
Penn's experience as a dishwasher comes in handy with current events, Matt cruises around Alaska and reflects on his time as a cruise ship magician, a letter from a Member of the Congregation sparks more introspection about the situation in Iran, career advice from Phyllis Diller, and lots more.
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Hollywood, Which Is Really Fort Lauderdale
Penn visits Dr. Theater in Florida and has to take the long way home, a novel solution to Matt's resting grumpy face, a memorable interaction with a Member of the Congregation, and lots more.
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What’s the French Word for Squirrel?
A dancing, foreign, audience volunteer attempts a Battle of Dreams, Penn & Teller's amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, Matt and Reddi Rich both have very different experiences going to concerts, and lots more.
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Robert Corn-Revere - Created by Geniuses So It Can Be Run by Idiots
First Amendment attorney Bob Corn-Revere returns to the show for a wide ranging conversation on his work with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Supreme Court, deepfakes, the state of free speech in America today - and what moving forward looks like, and lots more.
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The Big Whoop
Jim Turner, Mark Fite, and Dave (Gruber) Allen (a.k.a. Big Bugs, Corky, and Gustav) from the cast of The Big Whoop join Penn and the gang for an in depth discussion on making the film. Penn's history with the cast and clown acts in the past, finding empathy in characters you disagree with, bonus...
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And He Chooses To Go “Woo-Hoo!”
Penn buys a new car, rolling coal, more of Penn's thoughts on THC, movies on the plane, and lots more.
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Pretty Full Bucket
It's another milestone week as Penn, Matt, and Reddi are back in the studio for the first time since Penn's ankle injury and Penn is up on his feet and walking around. Physical therapy woes, meet and greets, what it actually takes to get thrown offstage at the big Penn & Teller show, and lots more.
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Medical Advice at the Oscars
A full recap of Penn’s trip to the Academy Awards complete with plenty of wheelchair awkwardness, Matt spent the week back on the road with the Jokers of Magic Tour and has some very exciting Vegas news, and lots more.
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Feathers Can Just Be On the Ground
Penn gets ready to head off to the Academy Awards, Matt gets ready to head back out on the road with the Jokers of Magic Tour, a very special 71st birthday tribute to Penn, strange backlash, remembering Johnny Thompson, awkward family dinners, and lots more.
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Don't Worry
Penn and his wheelchair lost at the SAG Awards but still came back with lots of stories, filming Vegas in Northridge, David Copperfield announces his retirement on Penn's birthday, Matt sees David Blaine and a Congregation favorite bit comes full circle, and lots more.
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I Can Stand Up to Pee Now!
It’s a big week as Penn is out of his cast and into a boot, and ready to head off to L.A. for awards shows and filming, Matt did some corporate improv training, walk around magic, career day, unintentional soul searching with ChatGPT, Penn’s favorite award he’s received, and lots more.
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But I Think It’s Just the Audience Mocking Me
Penn is still adjusting to life with a broken ankle and preparing to head off to Los Angeles for awards shows in a wheelchair, and Matt is returning to dry land and back performing in Vegas at The Magicians Room at The LINQ. Plus, lobster rolls, cruise ship ports, getting Vegas locals to the…
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I Don’t Know If It’s a Good Idea, But I’m Doing It!
Penn is strapped into a wheelchair and back performing in the big Penn & Teller show, cigarette advertising campaigns that haven’t aged well, solving the problem of awkward phone calls, audio technology, Matt continues learning Spanish, and lots more.
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For Some Reason, Always Around
Penn is still recovering from his broken ankle, and Members of the Congregation are writing in to help him get higher. Plus, Matt’s back out to sea performing magic, Penn & Teller remain entirely unsentimental, vision measurements, vibrating tools, and lots more.
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Euphoria Just Ain’t On the Horizon
Penn continues healing from his broken ankle with the… help(?) of new drugs, thoughts on Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis,” Matt prepares to return to cruise ship life and another leg of the Jokers of Magic tour and looks to level up his marketing game, Penn & Matt’s big Super Bowl bet, and...
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Nine Screws and a Plate
Penn is recording from bed while he recovers from his broken ankle and Matt is snowed in dealing with weather cancellations on tour. But none of that can stop the Preaching Love! Penn’s unprecedented new pain relief, somehow managing to listen to even more Dylan, crazy audience volunteers on the...
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See You Next Eye Surgery
Penn flew to Los Angeles for cataract surgery and is now glasses-free! Matt discovers The Language of the Dead, Reddi Rich vs. The Caveman, a New Year's Eve challenge from Spain, and lots more.
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Mark Malkoff - Love Johnny Carson (part 2)
The conversation continues with Mark Malkoff and his book Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend. More banned guests, guest hosts, Pat McCormick, Carson and The Amazing Randi, Elvis, giant checks, and lots more.
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Mark Malkoff - Love Johnny Carson (part 1)
Author Mark Malkoff is on the show to talk his new book, Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend, and all things Johnny Carson. Penn & Teller’s history with the Tonight Show, Carson and atheism, Tiny Tim, banned guests, and lots more.
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Better Than Nothing
A plan to re-rename the Kennedy Center, Penn gets humiliated, Matt becomes The Man of the Hour, another premiere of Marty Supreme, Matt tries his hand at youth soccer coaching, and lots more.
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You’re Both Pretty
Penn headed to Los Angeles for the premiere of Marty Supreme and he’s got the stories to prove it. Five days off, office chair attire, the self-proclaimed biggest Penn & Teller fans on Earth, inappropriate billing, careful makeup, and lots more.
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Fake Leather But Real Blood
Matt had an experience at customer service the last day of his cruise (but not the kind you think), Penn got dressed for the premiere of Marty Supreme in L.A., the future of The Aristocrats, Penn and Goudeau are exercising again, and lots more.
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The Preposition Trilogy
Jazz demon Mike Jones joins Penn, Matt, and Reddi via Zoom to talk his podcast, The Stereo Image (thestereoimage.com), and upcoming live trio recordings at Vic's Las Vegas on December 8. Plus, Penn gets some incredible news and then gets his hair cut by The Butcher, Matt’s act causes trouble with...
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Really Creepy, Really Useless, and Really Close
Penn recounts a surprising audience interaction re-reading his journal, new and old tricks for Piff and Pop's Magic Shoppe, Penn and Matt's thoughts on gambling, bits with Reddi Rich, and lots more.
About this show
Join us as Penn Jillette, Matt Donnelly, and YOU discuss the news of the week. We'll examine religious news, talk about monkeys, and anything else that seems funny or makes us mad. We'll also take your suggestions for things you feel like talking about. We run a live video stream from Show Creators Studios for people with the time and inclination to watch people sitting and talking. The live show starts Sundays at noon Vegas time, at www.twitch.tv/reddirich, & is usually available for download from your favorite podcast aggregator by 9 am Monday morning.
Hosted by
Penn's Sunday School