Teller speaks
November 20, 2008 | 1:57
pm
For complicated work reasons, it has been years, I think, since I wrote a cover story at my day job at Las Vegas Weekly. Now that I am recently returned to the print staff full time, I was thrilled my first cover, which came out this morning, fulfilled my longtime desire to write about Teller of Penn & Teller.
Let me share with you one moment that did not make it into the story as it had nothing to do with Teller. Waiting to interview Teller backstage after a show, I had a brief meeting with Penn's wife, Emily. She was with friends in what is called the "Monkey Room" where guests wait. This is not because of the guests (I think) but because the room has a lot of monkeys as decoration. Anyway, I asked Emily for permission to have a soda in the well-stocked refrigerator. I don't remember her exact wording but it was something like "Sure. Help yourself. They are mine, you know. This is all mine. By the way, just call me Yoko Ono." She was fantastic.
Actually, because of her husband, Emily Zolten Jillette has unknowingly had a profound impact on my view of romance. I am in my early 40s and single; Penn married at 49. When he spoke to me once about the subject in an interview he explained his reason for marriage was that his wife is perfect. Most people would likely say something similar in an interview concening their wife, but for Penn this idea had reached the level of philosophy. Penn decided that he wanted a relationship with zero compromises to his personality, or he did not want to get married at all. In other words, he knew what he wanted out of life and he was willing to join up with someone who perfectly fit with that worldview or stay single forever. That is a tough order. Penn's long wait was rewarded when the happy union quickly produced two children and a very close-seeming couple. So, much to my mom's consternation, I have adopted Penn's view of relationships or at least my understanding of it. I doubt Penn will ever get divorced.
Anyway, here is a tease from my Weekly story where I look at the complexities (and, certainly simplify them too much) between Penn and his other significant partner, Teller:
Let me share with you one moment that did not make it into the story as it had nothing to do with Teller. Waiting to interview Teller backstage after a show, I had a brief meeting with Penn's wife, Emily. She was with friends in what is called the "Monkey Room" where guests wait. This is not because of the guests (I think) but because the room has a lot of monkeys as decoration. Anyway, I asked Emily for permission to have a soda in the well-stocked refrigerator. I don't remember her exact wording but it was something like "Sure. Help yourself. They are mine, you know. This is all mine. By the way, just call me Yoko Ono." She was fantastic.
Actually, because of her husband, Emily Zolten Jillette has unknowingly had a profound impact on my view of romance. I am in my early 40s and single; Penn married at 49. When he spoke to me once about the subject in an interview he explained his reason for marriage was that his wife is perfect. Most people would likely say something similar in an interview concening their wife, but for Penn this idea had reached the level of philosophy. Penn decided that he wanted a relationship with zero compromises to his personality, or he did not want to get married at all. In other words, he knew what he wanted out of life and he was willing to join up with someone who perfectly fit with that worldview or stay single forever. That is a tough order. Penn's long wait was rewarded when the happy union quickly produced two children and a very close-seeming couple. So, much to my mom's consternation, I have adopted Penn's view of relationships or at least my understanding of it. I doubt Penn will ever get divorced.
Anyway, here is a tease from my Weekly story where I look at the complexities (and, certainly simplify them too much) between Penn and his other significant partner, Teller:
The two men ... are sort of famously not close friends offstage. Penn describes the early days of their relationship this way:
“My relationship with Teller was 100 percent intellectual as opposed to emotional. That was the basis for the next 30-whatever number of years. It wasn’t planned; I would never have said to you, find a business partner that you don’t feel affection for but just respect. That is the advice I give now. Teller is one of the first people that I really respected and was very interested in and didn’t have any affection for. There was no cuddly feeling. It was like an Internet friend.”
But this story, while accurate, sometimes leaves the impression that in the absences of a positive there is a negative. The idea being that offstage they don’t get along or don’t speak. Not true. They work constantly, which means they speak constantly. Of course, crucially, they have a lot in common, too, aesthetically and politically (they’re both essentially libertarian); both are atheists. Penn and Teller use the word “respect” in a way that many would consider consistent with friendship.
Yet, the fact remains that outside of work the two don’t have much contact. As a result, Teller says, “We will always do some version of Penn & Teller.” From the Beatles to Martin and Lewis, groups based on friendships have split up. But Penn and Teller have kept enough distance to protect Penn & Teller. Still, there is clearly a great deal of affection when the two talk about each other. How could it be otherwise? Few married couples spend as much time in each other’s presence. Despite ostensibly not having much to say to each other outside of the things they share, because they have shared so much for so long and never plan to stop doing so, a lot is being said. That does not mean they do not disagree and even argue. But they never have the argument where they stop speaking to each other, and they never will....
According to longtime employee Glenn Alai: "They could not be more different. They are polar opposites. But they love the idea of Penn & Teller and they do have the same core values, especially with the artistic."
Yet, the fact remains that outside of work the two don’t have much contact. As a result, Teller says, “We will always do some version of Penn & Teller.” From the Beatles to Martin and Lewis, groups based on friendships have split up. But Penn and Teller have kept enough distance to protect Penn & Teller. Still, there is clearly a great deal of affection when the two talk about each other. How could it be otherwise? Few married couples spend as much time in each other’s presence. Despite ostensibly not having much to say to each other outside of the things they share, because they have shared so much for so long and never plan to stop doing so, a lot is being said. That does not mean they do not disagree and even argue. But they never have the argument where they stop speaking to each other, and they never will....
According to longtime employee Glenn Alai: "They could not be more different. They are polar opposites. But they love the idea of Penn & Teller and they do have the same core values, especially with the artistic."
Very nice article. However, be careful when viewing relationships from the outside...more often than not...there is always strife within.
Posted by: Debbie | November 20, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I very much agree with that marriage philosophy. If more people would look at it like that, thee would be many less divorced folks!
It may sound egotistic, but truly it is not.
Posted by: H.Peter | November 21, 2008 at 07:03 AM