Jillette: Education integral to skepticism

NEW YORK, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Noted Las Vegas magician Penn Jillette says the key to selling skepticism is education and a bit of craziness.

The New York Post reported Sunday that during an interview with the newspaper, the star of the Showtime series "Bulls**t!" said that discussing skepticism typically involves educated individuals rather than pure sensationalism.

"Skepticism, like libertarianism and atheism -- all of which are kind of joined together -- are interesting because you're dealing with the wealthy and the well-educated in those groups," Jillette said. "Therefore, you're not gonna get the kind of sensationalist stuff."

Jillette, who also is known as half of the magical duo Penn and Teller, said that when he pitched the idea for his Showtime series, he promised to offer intellectual conversation in a passionate way.

"My original pitch for 'Bulls**t!' was very simple. I just said, 'In the debate between the scientist and the nut, on television the nut always wins. Everybody prefers to see a nut -- they're more fascinating.'"

"Bulls**t!" is now an Emmy-nominated series on Showtime.