Penn Jillette

Penn Jillette isn't one to shy from controversy. In his new book, "Every Day Is an Atheist Holiday," the highly opinionated, talkative half of the long-running magic duo Penn & Teller takes on atheism, racism and the plight of the underclass. But perhaps his most shocking personal view is about Donald Trump. Jillette likes him, mostly for the real estate mogul's determination to be himself. "It's an important part of our culture," Jillette said over a cup of hot tea in West Hollywood one recent afternoon.

Known in equal parts for their illusions, gore and wit, Penn & Teller are celebrating their 20 th anniversary of performing in Las Vegas with a six-year extension to their contract at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino . In a city where magicians come and go, Penn & Teller have demonstrated their staying power. After sold-out runs on Broadway, the demented duo arrived in Sin City in 1993. “When we first moved to Vegas, our hoity-toity New York art and theater friends all screamed in horror,” Penn Jillette,  the taller, more vocal of the two, was quoted as saying in a news release.

It's April Fools' Day, and Penn & Teller are everywhere. The comedy-magic duo looms from Las Vegas billboards touting a multiyear engagement at the Rio; they're grinning from a Hollywood Reporter cover marking their 30th year together; and the season premiere of their Showtime series airs this evening. And Penn Jillette, the taller, more vocal half of the equation, is taking it all in from the comfort of the Slammer.

Penn Jillette isn't one to shy from controversy. In his new book, "Every Day Is an Atheist Holiday," the highly opinionated, talkative half of the long-running magic duo Penn & Teller takes on atheism, racism and the plight of the underclass. But perhaps his most shocking personal view is about Donald Trump. Jillette likes him, mostly for the real estate mogul's determination to be himself. "It's an important part of our culture," Jillette said over a cup of hot tea in West Hollywood one recent afternoon.

Penn & Teller, known for thrills and chills, held an underwater press conference to promote their two-week run at the Wiltern that starts March 27. Penn Jillette, left, did the talking while Teller apparently held his breath underwater for about 7 1/2 minutes. Proceeds from the opening night will benefit the Actors' Fund.

Re "Candidates, Stand Up for Talking Dirty," Commentary, Sept. 13: Bravo for free-speech advocate Penn Jillette, who correctly points out that Libertarian Michael Badnarik is the only presidential candidate opposed to government censorship. Here's hoping that Jillette himself makes a run for the Libertarian nomination next time around. Having such an articulately entertaining spokesman for liberty and personal freedom would bring genuine magic to the race. James Dawson Tarzana

Always a man of few (if any) words, the latter half of the enduring comedy-magic duo Penn & Teller will help give a visual voice to the Geffen Playhouse's upcoming stage adaptation of "The Exorcist. " Scheduled to open July 11, the adaptation features Teller as "creative consultant," which sounds a little like he'll be responsible for honing the production's wordless reactions given his day job as silent but game foil to his longtime partner, the garrulous Penn Jillette. In reality, however, this isn't the first time Teller has ventured behind the stage, where Penn & Teller have made a home in Vegas for six nights a week since 2001.

"Penn and Teller Get Killed," filming for Lorimar Pictures and producer Bernie Brillstein in May, also gets another Penn as director--the veteran Arthur Penn ("Bonnie and Clyde," "Little Big Man"). The masters of malicious magic make their big screen debut in what Penn Jillette (the big one) described to us as a "funny, highly suspenseful yarn with a lot of plot twists. Surprise is really an important part of what we do."

"Anyone can talk to the dead," says Penn Jillette. "Getting an answer, that's the hard part." Nevertheless, there are people out there claiming to have a hotline to heaven, and Jillette, the talkative half of the comedy-magic team of Penn & Teller, has plenty to say about them tonight at 11 on Showtime. Some of it is even printable in a family newspaper, but that doesn't include the title of the pair's new series.

Penn Jillette, of Penn & Teller, performing at the Wilshire Theatre through April 5. Truth and Illusion: I try to make it to the Skeptics Society's monthly lectures at Caltech in Pasadena. The lectures present real scientific information on nut things, so you have someone debunking psychic phenomena or proving how Holocaust conspiracy theorists are wrong. It's great. Guy's Night Out: I like to go to the Smoke House across from Warner Bros. in Burbank with my friend Drew Carey.

Always a man of few (if any) words, the latter half of the enduring comedy-magic duo Penn & Teller will help give a visual voice to the Geffen Playhouse's upcoming stage adaptation of "The Exorcist. " Scheduled to open July 11, the adaptation features Teller as "creative consultant," which sounds a little like he'll be responsible for honing the production's wordless reactions given his day job as silent but game foil to his longtime partner, the garrulous Penn Jillette. In reality, however, this isn't the first time Teller has ventured behind the stage, where Penn & Teller have made a home in Vegas for six nights a week since 2001.

After Penn Jillette's analysis of why so many political candidates say "bugnutty Christian" things, we heard from a number of readers about putting such a modifier in front of the word Christian, especially in the headline: " Politics and the bugnut Christians . " Reader Larry Taylor of Berkeley wrote: "What would make you think that calling (by extension, all) Christians 'bugnuts' in your newspaper is acceptable, even for an opinion piece? "I'm a registered Democrat with a doctorate and am under 40 years old. I live in Berkeley.

Ijust turned 55 years old. This year my age and the last two digits of my birth year are the same. That happens only once in a lifetime. I turned 55 on stage in Jersey and more than 1,000 audience members sang "Happy Birthday." I blew out some candles, cut a couple pieces of cake, and Teller and I pretended to eat the cake as we walked off stage. My wife and children called up to sing a smaller and more in-tune version of "Happy Birthday," ending with "We love you, Daddy." You can't do better than that.

Re "'I don't know' -- and that's no act," Opinion, July 3 Penn Jillette is right. His defense of his right to declare ignorance of a complex phenomenon like global warming is disingenuous. It raises the question: Why can't he examine the evidence rationally and come to a conclusion? Sadly, his disclaimer speaks of a universal response to unpleasant news: denial. I wonder if he has children or grandchildren? Harvey Mozer La Mesa -- There is something quite comforting in being a skeptic, as Jillette describes himself.

Re "Candidates, Stand Up for Talking Dirty," Commentary, Sept. 13: Bravo for free-speech advocate Penn Jillette, who correctly points out that Libertarian Michael Badnarik is the only presidential candidate opposed to government censorship. Here's hoping that Jillette himself makes a run for the Libertarian nomination next time around. Having such an articulately entertaining spokesman for liberty and personal freedom would bring genuine magic to the race. James Dawson Tarzana

At first glance, the nine framed art pieces on the wall of Noho Modern look like lost LP record covers from the early 1960s -- especially the one that resembles Jimmy Durante impersonating the Lone Ranger. Look a little closer, however, and you'll discover these boldly graphic designs ($325 each) from the same era are actually security reminders for the employees at the Ramo-Wooldridge Corp.

Known in equal parts for their illusions, gore and wit, Penn & Teller are celebrating their 20 th anniversary of performing in Las Vegas with a six-year extension to their contract at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino . In a city where magicians come and go, Penn & Teller have demonstrated their staying power. After sold-out runs on Broadway, the demented duo arrived in Sin City in 1993. “When we first moved to Vegas, our hoity-toity New York art and theater friends all screamed in horror,” Penn Jillette,  the taller, more vocal of the two, was quoted as saying in a news release.

Re "'I don't know' -- and that's no act," Opinion, July 3 Penn Jillette is right. His defense of his right to declare ignorance of a complex phenomenon like global warming is disingenuous. It raises the question: Why can't he examine the evidence rationally and come to a conclusion? Sadly, his disclaimer speaks of a universal response to unpleasant news: denial. I wonder if he has children or grandchildren? Harvey Mozer La Mesa -- There is something quite comforting in being a skeptic, as Jillette describes himself.

It's April Fools' Day, and Penn & Teller are everywhere. The comedy-magic duo looms from Las Vegas billboards touting a multiyear engagement at the Rio; they're grinning from a Hollywood Reporter cover marking their 30th year together; and the season premiere of their Showtime series airs this evening. And Penn Jillette, the taller, more vocal half of the equation, is taking it all in from the comfort of the Slammer.

"Anyone can talk to the dead," says Penn Jillette. "Getting an answer, that's the hard part." Nevertheless, there are people out there claiming to have a hotline to heaven, and Jillette, the talkative half of the comedy-magic team of Penn & Teller, has plenty to say about them tonight at 11 on Showtime. Some of it is even printable in a family newspaper, but that doesn't include the title of the pair's new series.