Sportsman Channel Presents Q&A with Penn Jillette
OutdoorHub 07.17.14
Sportsman Channel debuts a new, exclusive, original series Thursday, July 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT that will showcase illusionist and magician Penn Jillette in the network’s newest original program “Camp Stew.” Catch a sneak peek click here: Camp Stew.
Below is a Q&A from Jillette on the show, his life as a host and interests in the outdoor lifestyle and beyond.
Q: How does “Camp Stew” fit your personality?
A: “I like to see people fall down. I like to see animals fall down. I like falling down myself. Outdoor fails are fun. And no one really gets hurt… I mean, you know.”
Q: Did you have any eye-opening moments where you realized something new about hunting or conservation?
A: “I’m from Western Massachusetts. That’s not Boston. Everyone I knew who loved the outdoors and loved animals and loved the woods and streams were hunters and fisher-people. So, I’ve always known that the outdoors people were the ones who really cared about conservation.”
Q: Segments of the show include: “Girls with Guns,” “Wild Hunts and Cold Outdoors” among others – did you have a favorite segment and why?
A: “I’ve always philosophically liked ‘Girls with Guns’ — I know it’s supposed to be just salacious, but I also love strong powerful women. “
Q: What captivated you about “Camp Stew” and what made you say “yes” to host the show?
A: “I started out in showbiz doing all words that I wrote myself and ideas that were mine. As I got more experience, it became a fun challenge to do other people’s ideas and words. This is not a show I would write, and I love the challenge of finding my angle and getting the jokes across.”
Q: “Camp Stew” is truly introducing you as a supporter to the outdoor lifestyle – why did you choose this particular show and why Sportsman Channel?
A: “You know, I guess I’m not a specific supporter of ‘the outdoor lifestyle,’ I don’t go outdoors. But, I’m a supporter of freedom and passion, and this show, to me, is about those.”
Q: Do you have any camp memories from your youth that you can share?
A: “As I said, I’m a rural boy, and Teller is from Center City Philadelphia. He is a city boy. I met him when I was 17 and we were sharing stories and getting ready to start a business. I told him a story about when I was fishing ‘hornpout at the swimming hole.’ I thought that was something everyone did – even in Center City. Teller blew most of his coffee out of his nose and couldn’t stop laughing. He thought he had teamed up with Huck Finn. Well, it’s 40 years later, and… maybe he did team up with Huck Finn.”
