Season 1

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  8.3/10300 votes

  Talking to the Dead

  Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/24/2003

  A look into the practices of popular psychics of today reveals how those who claim to be in contact with the dead are actually performing an age-old trick called "cold reading."

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.9/10234 votes

  Alternative Medicine

  Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/31/2003

  A look at chiropractic medicine, reflexology, magnet therapy,and a trip to an alternative medicine fair that ends in a "sting" operation at a crowded mall.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: N/A

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  7.6/10217 votes

  Alien Abductions

  Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 2/7/2003

  This show features three days spent at a UFO convention and a visit to an alien abduction group therapy session. It also explores the psychological explanations, and the influences of pop culture, on the typical abduction story.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller

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  7.6/10210 votes

  End of the World

  Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/14/2003

  A look at "The Sky is Falling" people from Nostradamus and his misinterpreted quatrains, to the "Left Behind" publishing phenomenon, to various crackpot rapture groups. Also featured is a survivalist who has converted 40 school buses into an elaborate underground compound that he and his friends will escape to when the bombs start dropping.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  6.6/10233 votes

  Second Hand Smoke / Baby Bullshit

  Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/21/2003

  We'll go to a hearing in NYC, where the dangers of second-hand smoke, and legislating human behavior, is being hotly debated and stage a hidden-camera sting that shows just how rabid people are about this topic. Also, a look at smart videos, teaching babies to read, the "Baby Whisperer," and the baby product industry that preys on guilt ridden parents with money to burn.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.7/10204 votes

  Sex, Sex, Sex

  Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/28/2003

  This show checks out penis and breast enlargement products, techniques and myths. Also aphrodisiacs: do they work? Expect some graphic and jaw-dropping visuals.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  8.4/10224 votes

  Feng Shui / Bottled Water

  Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 3/7/2003

  Penn & Teller put three Feng Shui home consultants to the test and feature a visit to a Feng Shui hairstylist. Also, the craze of bottled water is a national obsession but tap water is usually safer for you, and often better tasting too. Using a hidden camera, we'll take a look at the obsession.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  8.3/10261 votes

  Creationism

  Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 3/14/2003

  This episode takes a look into a Georgia school board debate about whether or not they should teach what's in the Bible about the creation of living things.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.9/10171 votes

  Self-Helpless

  Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 3/21/2003

  Motivational speakers, books, videos, relationship seminars, do they really help? We'll take a look. Also, the popular motivational activity of firewalking - which is no more dangerous than walking across hot sand at the beach - is debunked.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.8/10161 votes

  ESP

  Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 3/28/2003

  We'll attend a class in "remote viewing," a form of ESP that is all the rage. We'll test the teacher and the students to reveal that the "hits" they get are so vague, it's all nonsense.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.8/10175 votes

  Eat This!

  Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/4/2003

  Penn & Teller will try to prove that many diet products and diet claims are complete nonsense. Also, a look at the obsession with products that claim to be healthier for you such as organic foods, fat free foods, etc.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.9/10182 votes

  Ouija Boards / Near Death Experiences

  Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 4/11/2003

  There's a physiological explanation that debunks it all. We'll switch the letters around on the board and see how the "spirits" like that! Also, the "tunnel of light" and what it really is when coupled with a look at the Oklahoma centrifuge study that created NDE-like results.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette

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  7.0/10221 votes

  Environmental Hysteria

  Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/18/2003

  Here Penn & Teller explore the truth behind fears about global warming, air quality, water quality, acid rain, species extinction, and take a look at Greenpeace's activities.

  Director: N/A

  Writer: John McLaughlin, Teller, Penn Jillette