Catholic League: Penn and Teller Must Go

NEW YORK, NY (Catholic League) - Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on an ad he wrote for today’s edition of Variety:

"Today’s ad in Variety (see the text below) is a direct response to the latest hate speech by Penn & Teller against Catholics.

"Both Penn Jillette, and Showtime (owned by CBS), are flagging the attack on the Vatican that is featured in its season finale, August 27.

"Given the history of Penn & Teller’s vicious record of Catholic bashing, we have no reason to doubt that this episode will be particularly vile.

"In the ad, we cited previous examples of their malicious assaults, especially on Mother Teresa.

"CBS management has spoken to the Catholic-bashing duo before, but to no effect. Though we are not calling for CBS/Showtime to cancel the upcoming episode, we are saying that the time has come to pull the plug on their show; their contract should not be renewed.

"Those who agree should contact Matthew Blank, the Chairman and CEO of Showtime.

Contact: Matthew.Blank@Showtime.net

THIS IS THE FINAL STRAW:SHOWTIME SHOULD NOT RENEW PENN & TELLER

On August 27, Showtime, owned by CBS, will feature a vicious assault on Catholics. In the season finale of Penn & Teller’s show, they “take on the secretive inner world of The Vatican, the holy city of Catholicism and home of the Pope.” How do we know it will defame Catholics? Because on the show’s website, it says so: There is a Showtime Advisory for “Graphic Language, Adult Content.”

If Showtime posted that warning about a show on Islam, Muslims would brace for the worst (and so might CBS). But Muslims need not worry: it’s not all religions that Showtime likes to trash — just Catholicism. Indeed, Showtime is currently working on a show, “Revelation,” that promises to be at least somewhat respectful of Protestantism.

What will the upcoming show be like? On his Twitter page, Penn Jillette brags how he rips a Catholic encyclical on sexuality: “I’m dressed as Darth with a condom c--k light saber.” He even boasts that the show is “hardcore,” admitting that “we attack the Vatican.” From trashing The Last Supper to mocking Catholic prayers, anti-Catholic bigots who feed on this kind of stuff will have a stomach full.

This is not the first time Showtime has featured a vile Penn & Teller show. In 2005, Mother Teresa was called “Mother F---ing Teresa,” and her order of nuns were branded “f---ing c--ts.” The year after, Jillette said on his CBS radio show that Mother Teresa “got her [sexual] kicks watching people suffer and die.”

Just recently, Jillette took after me again in his usual foul way. That doesn’t matter, but what matters greatly is his pathological obsession with bashing Catholics and their religion. There is no legitimate place for this kind of frontal assault on any demographic group.

CBS/Showtime needs to send Penn & Teller a message and let them know that they have crossed the line for the last time. This should be their final season. We know that they’ve been told before to drop the Catholic bashing, and yet they persist. By doing so, Penn & Teller have effectively stuck their middle finger right in the eye of CBS.

Contact Showtime Chairman and CEO Matthew Blank: Matthew.Blank@Showtime.net

I was born catholic, and confirmed catholic. And I had no problem with the episode, if anything it only showed the err of humans, the leaders of the church, not the religion itself. And even if it does attack the Catholicism, what makes the religion so special that it should get a free pass? Penn and Teller have made 7 seasons and have pointed out questions and facts about every facet of society. Having them yank the show for an episode about the Vatican is about as silly as having them yank the show for offending people who eat organic foods. If you don't like what you see, then don't watch it. Not everyone is a catholic, and not everyone agrees with you. It's a TV show, made for entertainment, on a pay-for cable channel. If you believe that it really has that much affect on society and Catholics, then you should question yourself.

Brandon | 11/25/2009

I would then challenge the Catholic church, or 'league' as it would be, to create an episode to challenge and debunk any or all of P&T's claims. I find that, in most conversations of religious discrepancy, it is the faithful that remain somehow appalled and endlessly offended, while still typically unable to provide any logical or diplomatic rebuttal that DOESN'T merely rely on quoting scripture. Instead of crying as loudly as possible, step up for a change, and state your case for the world to hear. Use the media; use shock factor if you'd like . . But step up. Make an actual point that isn't completely exclusive and antiquated for once.

mark | 11/9/2009

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