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From the Archives: Magic for People Who Hate Magic.

Magician and juggler Penn Jillette. He's one half of the comedy team of Penn and Teller. They are to traditional magic what the Rolling Stones are to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Penn and Teller revel in making fun of traditional magicians, whom they characterize as sleazy lounge performers. Their hit Broadway show was a mix of rock and roll, insults, self-injury and baffling illusions. When David Letterman invited Penn and Teller to "Late Night," the pair made hundreds of hissing cockroaches appear on Dave's desk. On "Saturday Night Live," they seemingly cut a live snake in half. Their home video and book were both titled "Penn and Teller's Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends"; their latest book is "Penn & Teller: How To Play With Your Food" (Random House). (REBROACAST FROM 6/19/87).

06:29
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Other segments from the episode on April 1, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 1, 1994: Interview with Harry Anderson; Interview with Ricky Jay; Interview with James Randi; Interview with Penn Jillette; Review of the film "House of the Spirits."
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07:23

From the Archives: Harry Anderson Cons His Way On TV.

Con-man-turned actor Harry Anderson. Anderson is best known as Judge Harry Stone on the former NBC comedy series "Night Court." Anderson began his con-man career as a street performer. He eventually drifted to San Francisco where he would perform near Fisherman's Wharf or to lines of moviegoers outside theaters. He then graduated to Las Vegas, opening for acts like Kenny Rogers.

Interview
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13:29

From the Archives: Ricky Jay Shares Stories of Unusual Performers and Swindlers.

Ricky Jay, one of the world's great sleight-of-hand artists: a scholar of the unusual, curator of the Mullholland Library of Conjuring and the Allied Arts, an actor and author of "Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women." Currently, Jay performs to sold out shows at Broadway's Second Stage, in a show directed by playwright David Mamet, "Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants." (REBROADCAST from 10/21/87).

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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15:19

How is Penn Jillette Spending Christmas?

With everyone making plans for Christmas and New Year's Eve, we wondered what magician Penn Jillette (pronounced like "Gillette") would be up to. Jillette's one half of the magic team, Pen and Teller. The pair's latest show, "Penn and Teller Rot In Hell," is now playing off
Broadway.

Interview
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27:44

Penn Jillette's Hatred-Fueled Magic

Jillette, along with his silent partner Teller, created his magic act partly in opposition to the comedy and theater performances he disliked. His duo's edgy, sometimes violent, performances have won Emmy Awards and spawned companion books and videos. Jillette takes pride in maintaining an aggressive persona while treating his audience with respect.

Interview
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09:47

Magic for People Who Hate Magic

Penn Jillette is half of the duo Penn & Teller, who bring a new, irreverent spin to magic shows. Well-versed in the traditions of the art, they aim to break old, familiar rules and conventions -- sometimes to the point of angering other magicians

Interview

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