Teller
Magician, Entertainer
Thursday, March 6, 2008
3:30 PM
Teller, the shorter, silent half of magician team Penn & Teller, will be online Thursday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m. ET to answer your questions about magic, his career and the staging of Macbeth he's helping to produce at Washington's Folger Theater.
A transcript follows.
Teller, who had his name legally changed to "Teller," has been performing magic with partner Penn Jillete since 1981. The duo currently performs a regular show at the Rio in Las Vegas. He is also the author of " 'When I'm Dead All This Will Be Yours!'": Joe Teller -- A Portrait by His Kid," and a Mencken fellow at Washington's Cato Institute.
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Columbia, S.C.: You have been in magic for quite a while now so I was wondering if you have ever during your professional career, with Penn or without, messed up a trick really badly on stage, so that the audience saw something fall out of your sleeve or something like that.
From,
A 13-year-old anarchist atheist, and one of your biggest fans.
Teller: Probably my favorite onstage problem was when we were doing the Water Tank. The tank had cracked in shipping and was gushing water. Robbie Libbon kept running out with buckets of water to refill, to ensure that I had something to drown in.
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Arlington, VA: We attended the first Friday "Macbeth" performance at the Folger and have tickets to see it again later in the run. It's definitely a show one should see twice! Congratulations!
Since you are co-host of a TV program which seeks to dispel myths and debunk superstition, my wife and I wonder: Do you and the cast dare speak the name of the play within the theater thus tempting fate?
We're so proud of you if you are breaking with tradition over this bit of spooky thinking...
Teller: The cast and I chanted "Good luck, Macbeth!" and whistled right before every performance I attended. Screw luck.
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Tucson, Ariz.: Cannot wait to see "Macbeth" as visualized by the man who taught my sons to masquerade leaking eye wounds in restaurants thanks to a fork and a container of cream!
Teller: Thanks. Most of the gushing in this show is red.
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Mexico: What is it that you love most about Shakespeare?
Teller: The ideas he puts into the plays -- in particular The Tempest and Macbeth -- and the terrifyingly powerful words he puts them into.
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Richmond, Va.: Hi Teller! I've been a fan for years and loved "Bull%#@t." Are any more seasons coming?
Teller: Yup. Almost all the doc. footage for the new season is done and we start writing on Friday.
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Yonkers, N.Y.: Hi Teller! I know from the discussion at the Folger last Weds, you and Aaron Posner are talking about collaborating again as directors. I know you probably can't go into detail about that project. However, do you have any plans to do any solo directing projects? Are there any other film (I saw "& Teller" and enjoyed it very much) or theater projects coming down the pike? If not, is there anything you'd really like to get your hands on to try to direct?
Teller: I like to keep new ideas under wraps. I have several projects, but all projects are just hot air till something real comes of them.
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Isle of Wight, England: Has there been any interest to stage this production over here in England? I inquire for purely selfish reasons.
Teller: Send me the names of possible venues. I'd love to bring it to England. But it is a cast of 16 and a big fat set, so it wouldn't be cheap.
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Tulsa, OK: "& Teller" is a brilliant piece of filmmaking. What's the story of how it came to be? I'd love to see more of this side of you.
Teller: Zeke and I loved "Diary of the Dead" and he wanted to enter something. Written, shot, and edited in 36 hours.
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Saugus, California: What are your thoughts on cryonics (freezing of dead people in hopes that they can be revived later)?
Teller: I love medical innovations. I don't want to do it myself, but be my guest!
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Boston: How does your Macbeth differ from all the others? What makes it stand out -- effects, acting or both?
Teller: Google "Teller Macbeth." and you'll see all the differences. Essentially we're doing it as a supernatural horror thriller, and it's thrilling instead of glum and droopy, as is so often the case.
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Philadelphia: When Penn gets to host TV shows, do you ever feel bad that you have chosen not to speak and thus you don't get to host shows? (Although, as I recall, didn't you say one word, or more like a scream, in one of the shows?)
Teller: Hey, I could change that if I ever get dissatisfied with it. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, I don't love about my life.
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Miami: I love the beauty of the rose-petal cutting. Did you invent that trick?
Teller: Yes. First performed it in 1975. Copyrighted it as a play.
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Los Angeles: Hi Teller. Love your work.
Do you have any advice for young, struggling magicians just starting out? Also, with all the craziness in your busy schedule, how do you stay sane?
PS - you're on my "Freebie List"!
Teller: Perform in public as much as possible. That's how you learn.
Who says I stay sane? I mean, mostly I just run frantically from one thing I love to another. That's not exactly rough work.
What do you mean "Freebie list"?
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Yonkers, NY: Silly question: How much stage blood did you go through for the NJ run? I heard you had to scale back for the Folger.
Teller: Don't know in gallons. I suspect we go through about a pint a night, but that looks like more because in many effects it's diluted.
At the Folger, the audience is SO close the Jersey quantities weren't necessary.
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Fort Collins, Colorado: After following your and Penn's careers for some years now, and learning that the both of you have "never" had any drugs or alcohol. My question is: What is your rationality for never TRYING alcohol or drugs? I ask because I think experiencing something is the only way to really understand it, or have a true opinion regarding it.
Thank You!
Teller: I drank a bit of alcohol in my early 20s. It made me stupid and careless and I disliked that. It also ruined my sleep.
I'm just scared of drugs. Messing with your brain seems really dangerous.
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Minnesota: I really want to attend James Randi's TAM 6; I've never been to one and it seems like it'd be a skeptic meeting to beat them all. Are you looking forward to being a main speaker for the meeting? Do you know what you'll be speaking about this year?
Teller: TAM is a great conference. Really smart people in a big room. A sea of them, as far as the eye can see. No plans yet on topics.
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Los Angeles: A "freebie list" is a list of celebrities I can sleep with without my husband getting upset.
Teller: Well, do convey my thanks to him. And to you.
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Potomac, Maryland: Hi Teller!
Do you think there's a chance that "Penn & Teller Get Killed" might be released on DVD one day? I've worn out my VHS copy!
Teller: Write to Warner Brothers. They control the rights. I'd love to have it out. Ideally bundled with "Invisible Thread."
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Detroit: Do you have a favorite musician, band, genre, etc.?
Teller: Right now it's 3-Leg Torso. Google them. They're fantastic.
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Philadelphia, Pa.: I understand you are from the Philadelphia area. Is that correct? If so, where there any particular inspirations in our area that helped guide you towards entertainment and illusions?
Teller: My mentor at Central High School, David G. Rosenbaum, to whom the "Macbeth" production is dedicated, changed the course of my life.
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Baltimore: First, I want to say that I saw you and Penn in Las Vegas last year -- and it was the only thing I did in that town that was worth the money. (Well, maybe the Liberace Museum qualified, too.)
Second, the other night I saw the episode of "The Simpsons" where you were being slowly lowered into a shark tank when Homer interrupted the trick. Your line about Penn, "Oh, god, he's going to kill me...I'm not kidding...I'm not the first Teller," had me shrieking with laughter, even though I had seen that episode a half dozen times.
So I guess my question is, which is more meaningful for you..."The Simpsons" or Shakespeare?
Teller: Two different senses of "meaningful." I've loved "Macbeth" since I was 12 and this is a dream come true. On the other hand, I've been a "Simpsons" fan for years and it's so flattering be mocked by those folks.
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Singapore, Singapore: Hi Teller! Not to risk sounding like an ignoramus, but I have often lamented over the dearth of easily available resources, both primary and secondary, to people who are not in the trade but rather just have a keen interest in the history of magic. Out of morbid curiosity, what’s going to happen to your prized collection after you’ve kicked the bucket?
Teller: Don't know yet. Maybe the Philadelphia Public Library, where I got my first magic books.
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Tulgey Wood, Wonderland: When you first read Macbeth, what did you envision the weird sisters to be like? Did you envision Sister Child-murderer, Sister Raped Bride, and Sister Hooded Hooker - or something far different?
Teller: I think I first saw them like the Wicked Witch of the West. But I was 12. I didn't know about Raped Brides in those days.
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Harpo?: Was Harpo Marx one of your childhood idols?
Teller: Not at all. I didn't really start to like the Marx Brothers till I was in my 30s and it took me a long time to get over the cute clownie stuff Harpo sometimes does. I like him only when he's violent and fiendish. And he's never been a model for me, because of the clownlike quality.
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Yonkers, N.Y.:
I recently finished your book: "When I'm Dead, All This Will Be Yours." I really enjoyed it. Is your father's work being exhibited anywhere currently?
And how often do you take up the paint brushes for your own use?
Teller: No, Pad's work isn't around except at my house and at the homes of folks who bought paintings at his show at the Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadelphia.
Haven't picked up a brush (except to paint a witch mask) recently.
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DWTS: Will you be a contestant on a future "Dancing With The Stars" (i.e., after this spring's series)?
Teller: If they invite me, I'll dance. I'm attending a lot of Penn's dance rehearsals to come up with magic touches for him.
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Chicago : hey Teller,
Are you and Penn doing a team for the AFAN AIDS walk this year? I'm thinking about coming out for it and was curious if you were, and if you were hooking up people on the team with tickets for the Rio show again.
Thanks.
Teller: We'll be doing the AFAN walk. Ask on pennandteller.com about the tix. I don't know how that part works.
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Boise, Idaho: I'm a fan of your Showtime show. Since you don't talk I'm assuming you and Penn have the same opinion about the topics you do on the show. Do you ever disagree with Penn's opinion about a topic?
Teller: We always agree and some of the words Penn speaks are actually written by me.
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Queens, NY: Do you ever find your job stressful in anyway, or do you find it more as you living a hobby?
Teller: The labor that delights us physics pain.
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Mistakes: I remember seeing outtakes of mistakes when you and Penn were doing the hidden card tricks. They were hilarious in their own right. We don't mind when you mess up. We understand it is hard to remember all the aspects of the trick (I'll state that without giving it away.) How do you prepare to cover up when mistakes happen, or do you just go with the flow?:
Teller: It's just a trick. The worst that can happen is embarrassment. I stopped being embarrassed at least ten years ago.
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Cambridge, Mass.: Penn often slices up his hands during the broken bottle juggling. Have you ever done a trick where even if you do it correctly, you still get a little injured?
Teller: No. I really dislike getting hurt.
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Boulder, Colo.: Dear Teller,
My family and I watch episodes of "B.S." that we have Netflixed every night at dinner. Last night we saw the "Profanity" episode. This morning there is a story on CNN that South Pasedena, Calif. has banned cursing for one week in March - this year and for each year to come. Scary! Although we are all very interesting and talented people in our own rights, thank you for making our dinners more fun than they normally are.
Teller: You'd think, wouldn't you, that somebody would appreciate the fact that the Constitution gives us the most precious liberties?
I think it's the height of bad manners to say the Bill of Rights was just a few suggestions.
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Miami: This isn't really a question, but I thought you may like to know that because of you fantastic show, I have an "A" in my International Relations class. Honestly you have opened my eyes to a whole new political view.
When is there going to be another season though?
Teller: We're shooting our parts in early May. So, I suspect, June.
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Houston, TX: You mentioned on the very last Penn Radio show, that there is something that may come "later down the line" that is somewhat in relation to Penn Radio. I was wondering if that "something" is still in the works and if so, when will we expect to see it?
Thanks,
Missing Penn Radio
Teller: I'm not Penn, but he's got a cool video blog thing on Sony now. Check the P&T website, pennandteller.com for details.
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Potomac, Md.: Which do you enjoy more when performing with Penn: Traveling, or playing at your "home" at the Rio?
Teller: They're different. I love the luxury of having a theater to rehearse in, but I also loved touring. I also like both swordfish and steak.
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Erie, Colo.: Dear Teller,
I was wondering how you liked living in Las Vegas? Nevada seems to be one of the "freer" states in the U.S., with legalized gambling, and no state taxes. Does your video on myspace indicate that if Las Vegas falls victim to the living dead, that the rest of the U.S. will follow?
Thank you!
Teller: There are still shreds of individual freedom in Nevada, while elsewhere in the country "consensus" (i.e. the rule of mediocrity and altruism) seems to rule.
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Boston: What tricks are you the fondest of? Any that really make you go "Damn, I'm good!"?
Teller: I have a new one going in next week, called "Invisible Thread" that's the hardest thing I've ever tried. It will look really easy. That's the thing that I'm currently most obsessed with (apart from "Macbeth.")
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Florida: Hey Teller,
I happen to have an extensive collection of literature on the history of magic and magicians ranging from Robert-Houdin, Houdini, Cardini, Slydini, and even Derek Dingle.
Who is your favorite magician to read about?
(Probably Houdini, right?)
Teller: Probably Germain. I also loved reading about David Bamberg and his insane tours south of the border.
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Boston: How often do you and Penn create new acts for the show and, on average, how long do you practice before you present a new routine to the audience?
Also, just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your shadow of the rose illusion. It didn't seem the most complicated engineering wise (though maybe I'm wrong), but I thought it was very beautiful.
Thanks.
Teller: Thanks. Most stuff takes a long time. A year plus or minus. Occasionally something will be faster. We tend to put in three or four new bits each year.
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Helsinki, Finland: I've heard that you come up with new material for your Vegas show quite often. Do you have a favorite trick? Are there some things on which you and Penn disagree when it comes to developing the show?
I think you (and Penn) are wonderful. I wish I could get to see you live someday!
Teller: We disagree about everything. The creative process is us finding our way to each other.
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Santee, California: What inspires you to create such amazing effects just to expose the secret?
Teller: Real magic secrets are dull and ugly. But we like the idea of secrets. So we create some tricks with interesting (though relatively impractical) secrets to satisfy that hunger.
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San Diego: I would like to thank you, I think it's seriously cool that you hang out with the audience after your shows.
Teller: It's one of my favorite parts of the show. We have very intelligent, high-class fans and I love meeting them.
Teller: It's one of my favorite parts of the show. We have really smart, high-class fans and I love meeting them.
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San Jose, California: Why do you do magic tricks?
Teller: I don't know. My mentor Rosey called it "psychological bedrock." It's who I am.
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Toronto: Which filmmakers have been your greatest inspiration for your vision of Macbeth?
Teller: Hitchcock's "Psycho" for the dark humor and the tragic sense. Romero, Argento, many others for the look. Matt Holtzclaw, who worked on the magic with me is very keen on Texas Chainsaw and some other modern, severe thrillers. Frank Ippolito, our special makeup and puppet guy has a fiendish imagination further carried forward by a book the costume designer Devon Painter found containing photos of the mummies of the Palermo crypt. My co-director Aaron Posner was always terrified of horror stuff. Now he's making it.
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The secret of a great partnership?: What's the secret of a great partnership? And can you use it to get Simon & Garfunkel back together again?
Teller: Great partnership:
Show up on time.
Do what you promise to do.
Know that everything will even out in the end.
Don't become partners with your friend. Become friends with your partner.
S & G: no hope.
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Minnesota: On his radio show, Penn often stated that you two never want to quit magic with dignity but would rather keep doing it until you're 90, shuffling around the stage in a crappy hotel with only 10 people in the audience. Is this really true, or just a dream for Penn to hold on to?
Teller: I have one particular trick I do in the show, and I've made a resolution that the first time I blow a particular move, I will realize I've lost it, and will take no further engagements.
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Idaho: Penn & Teller were on an episode of "The Simpsons" and Teller talked. Were you the voice of Teller?
Teller: Yup.
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Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada: Teller
I am a long time admirer of yours...and a zombie fan.
Your short film "& Teller" is brilliant!
question...
What do you think the future holds for young magicians? How do you envision the future of the profession?
Congrats on MacBeth and for holding the bar up so high for your entire career...
P.S. -- I would have shot Penn just for "Dancing with the Stars," zombie or not
Teller: I'm no prophet. Magic seems to hobble along just fine. I don't imagine that will change. It's a part of human cognitive development; so it's not apt to go away soon.
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Tulgey Wood, Wonderland: Now that you have Macbeth under your belt, what other plays would you like to produce? Also, and completely unrelated, what are your favorite types and toppings for waffles?
Teller: No play plans to announce yet. Need to discuss with Aaron Posner.
Pear almond waffles. Blueberry yogurt waffles. Cornmeal waffles. Banana oatmeal waffles. Topping: either mashed strawberries or plain good maple syrup from the Davenport Maple Farm in Shelburne, Massachusetts.
Best made on a Wells waffle baker.
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Phoenix: Why do you think many of the leaders of the skeptical movement are magicians? What is it about magic that gives the performer that kind of outlook on life? Or is it the other way around, and that outlook drives an interest in magic?
Teller: Skeptics tend to be interested in what makes something false seem to be credible. That's very much a conjurer's job as well. And conjurers tend to hate to see their art turned to criminal uses.
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Monroeville, Pa.: Have you ever visited Monroeville, Pa.? We're the home of Monroeville Mall, where George Romero did some of his greatest filming!
Teller: I will put it on the itinerary.
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Appleton: Do you get much female attention? Because I personally find you very attractive.
Teller: (Blush).
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State of Awe: Hi Teller! I'm submitting early, because I need to leave for the airport to head to Vegas (of all places) to visit my family, who have all moved there over the past few years.
I've always been a big fan of P&T, and a huge fan of Shakespeare. I was absolutely thrilled to hear about your participation in Macbeth. I bought tickets as soon as I heard about it and will be seeing it later in April.
I was particularly excited to read your blog on the rehearsals, especially your entries about Stephen Greenblatt who was one of my favorite professors in college. They were really engaging, especially the running food diary. I breathlessly recounted some of your blog entries to friends, who all looked at me like I was a freak.
Anyway, no real question, just a comment on how much I love your efforts on this production. Shakespeare was always meant to be seen by the masses, and it saddens me enormously to think that so many people miss out on him because they think it's too high-brow or boring. Thank you for giving him new life for so many who wouldn't have otherwise known or cared.
Oh, I saw your show at the Rio a couple of years ago with my husband. Afterwards, you signed his ticket and insisted on signing mine as well, commenting, "Just in case you break up..." Well, we got divorced last year. So, thanks also for being so prescient!
I can't believe I'm going to miss the chat, and I missed last week's talk at the Folger for a previous commitment. At least you know I'm not a real stalker or anything.
Teller: And thanks for using the word "prescient." We old Classics teachers appreciate apt use of Latinates.
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Helsinki, Finland: Do you think it's amusing that you can impress people by simply speaking?
And do you ever find it annoying that many (mostly women) think you're "cute"?
Teller: I need all the help I can get. If people give me credit just for talking, well, good on them! Annoying? Are you mad?
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Boise, Idaho: Do you ever disagree with Penn?
Teller: Daily. That's how we find stuff that would be better than either of us would find individually.
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Grand Rapids, Mich.: I know that you and Penn were heavily influenced by James Randi. What was it that struck you personally about him?
Teller: He fights for the truth and does it with wit, ingenuity, and joy.
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San Francisco: Will you be bringing your staging of Macbeth any closer to San Francisco? I love that you are doing this, but I know myself and many others can't make the trip to see it there.
Keep up all the great work. You are an inspiration.
Teller: We're fielding offers for the 2009-1010 season now.
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Las Vegas, Nevada: Is there a single effect that you would suggest someone new to magic should work at perfecting and why?
Teller: A good cut and restored rope routine can teach you a great deal, and be really practical for performing nearly anywhere.
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Tulsa, OK: Consider this the question you wish someone had asked. What's the answer?
Teller: Later tonight, behind the woodshed, please.
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Fireworks: I have 6th graders who have expressed interest in Shakespeare, do you think your show would be approriate and enjoyable for them? If not, do you have other suggestions for how to introduce pre-teenagers to the Bard?
Teller: When I was in sixth grade, I would have loved "Macbeth" but not gotten it all. YOu'll have to be the judge there.
Take them to see the shows or have them perform themselves. Reading alone is less than helpful for a young kid.
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Arlington, Va.: Hi, Teller!
I saw you and Penn way back in 1990 on the Refrigerator Tour in Boston when I was in undergrad. Still stumped by how you pulled off the flower and canvas bit.
How was the experience of translating your craft to a play? What were the biggest challenges you encountered? And, would you do it again?
Teller: I'd do it again in a heartbeat, as long as I'm partnered with Aaron Posner. He taught me (see my blog) so much about working with actors.
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Camp Hill. Pa.: You are an excellent entertainer. My wife for years was convinced she saw you drown on a stunt you did on the Letterman Show and continues to insist you have died. May I please reassure her that you did not drown and that you are still with us?
Teller: (glub). Sure.
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washingtonpost.com: Teller's time is up, but thank you for the questions.
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