Penn and Teller are getting old, quite the accomplishment given their hectic schedule. But at 63 and 70, respectively, the two respected magicians are starting to feel the effects of a lifetime of straight-jackets, trap doors, and dodgy tour bus seats. Wisely, the pair have chosen to take five weeks off for a quick health tune up. They’ll be “going dark,” from July 10th through to August 18th.
Yes, we will NOT being doing our show from July 10 – August 18th. Teller needs back surgery and I'll be doing a medically supervised water-only fast. We'll be back super-healthy! Sorry for changing anyone's plans.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) June 21, 2018
During that time, Teller will be undergoing spinal fusion surgery to address chronic pain, while Penn will be committing to a medically supervised, water-only fast for the whole five weeks.
Oh, the time is for Teller to heal completely, I won't be on a water-only fast for the full 5 weeks, of course. Medically supervised and just long enough to give some help to my blood pressure. Not for weight.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) June 21, 2018
Penn explained on Twitter that the fast is meant to help his presumably high blood pressure, and isn’t a weight loss program. Penn has seemingly developed somewhat of a taste for extreme diets. He famously lost over 100 lbs through a strict, vegetable-based diet that began with nothing but potatoes. While extreme diets that cause fast weight loss have a reputation for being unsuccessful in the long term, Penn has managed to beat the odds and maintain a healthy weight of 220 lbs for nearly three years now. He wrote about the experience in his book Presto!
Everyone here at GeniiOnline wishes the duo a fast recovery, and suggest other magicians follow their example. Self-care is an important factor in becoming an old magician rather than a retired magician. Or a dead magician. Take a holiday.