Ep 2. Wal-Mart

In season 5 episode 2 of Penn and Teller Bullshit, the iconic duo take on one of America's largest retailers: Wal-Mart. Throughout the episode, Penn and Teller investigate some of the common complaints made against the company, including the low wages paid to employees and the impact Wal-Mart has on small businesses.

Early on in the episode, Penn and Teller visit a Wal-Mart distribution center to get a behind-the-scenes look at the company's operations. They speak with employees who explain how the logistics of getting products to the stores work, including the use of technology to manage inventory and the massive scale at which the company operates. However, the employees also detail some of the challenges they face, such as strict quotas and a high rate of turnover.

The episode then shifts to examining the wages paid to Wal-Mart employees. Penn and Teller talk to various experts about the issue, including labor economists and professors. They also interview Wal-Mart employees themselves, who describe how difficult it is to make ends meet on the salary they receive. The episode doesn't shy away from the fact that Wal-Mart is known for paying its employees relatively low wages, often barely above minimum wage.

Next, Penn and Teller interview small business owners who claim that Wal-Mart's presence in their communities has driven them out of business. The episode explores the common belief that Wal-Mart puts smaller stores out of business by offering lower prices and a wider selection of products. The duo speak with several small business owners who confirm that they were unable to compete with Wal-Mart and eventually had to close their doors.

The episode also addresses some of the criticisms of Wal-Mart's business practices, such as their use of overseas suppliers and the impact that has on American jobs. Penn and Teller interview experts who argue that Wal-Mart's reliance on overseas suppliers allows them to keep prices low, but comes at the expense of American jobs. Some of the experts also express concern about the labor practices of some of the overseas factories that produce products for Wal-Mart.

Throughout the episode, Penn and Teller maintain a somewhat critical tone towards Wal-Mart, but they also give the company credit where they believe it is due. For example, they highlight Wal-Mart's commitment to improving the energy efficiency of its stores and the strides they have made towards using renewable energy.

In the end, the episode doesn't come to a clear conclusion about whether Wal-Mart is a force for good or bad in America. Instead, it offers multiple perspectives on the issue, allowing the viewer to consider the different arguments and make up their own mind. As always, the episode is infused with Penn and Teller's trademark sense of humor, making it an entertaining and informative watch.