Ep 1. Talking to the Dead

In the first episode of Penn and Teller Bullshit season 1, "Talking to the Dead," the dynamic duo sets out to expose the world of psychics and mediums who claim to communicate with the deceased. Through a variety of interviews with self-proclaimed psychics and skeptics alike, Penn and Teller aim to uncover the truth behind this controversial practice.

The episode begins with a segment on the infamous "psychic hotline" industry, where people can call and speak with "psychics" for a fee. Penn and Teller delve into the tactics used by these companies to keep their callers on the line for as long as possible and the inherent flaws in psychic readings that rely on vague statements and cold reading techniques.

Next, the duo travels to Lily Dale, New York, a town that advertises itself as the "City of Light." Here, they visit the Lily Dale Assembly, which claims to be the largest center for the religion of Spiritualism in the world. Through interviews with various mediums and people attending readings, Penn and Teller explore the psychological effects that may cause people to believe in these practices.

Throughout the episode, Penn and Teller use their trademark blend of wit and skepticism to challenge the validity of psychic communication with the dead. They point out the various ways that psychics can manipulate their clients through vague statements, leading questions, and cold readings. They also draw attention to the importance of responsible reporting in the media, by analyzing various news stories that blindly report on psychic readings without questioning their validity.

The episode concludes with a segment on a scientific test for psychic abilities known as the "One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge." Penn and Teller explain the parameters of the test, which requires applicants to demonstrate their psychic abilities under controlled laboratory conditions. They also interview James "The Amazing" Randi, the founder of the challenge, who emphasizes the importance of scientific testing for the field of psychic communication.

Overall, "Talking to the Dead" is a thought-provoking exploration of a controversial topic. Penn and Teller's no-nonsense approach to skepticism challenges viewers to question their beliefs and think critically about the validity of psychic practices. Through interviews with various participants and experts in the field, the episode aims to shed light on the ways that people may be deceived by false claims of communication with the dead.