Can four light bulbs fool Penn & Teller?!? Peter Wood returns to Fool Us

"Do you wanna be my best friend?" - Alyson Hannigan -
"Damn it!" - Penn Jillette -
For public shows, Peter's podcast, special projects and more, visit PeterWood.com
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Peter Wood - Collector of the Impossible - returns to "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" to shares one of his favorite impossible objects: a series of lights and switches that seem to know what Alyson Hannigan is thinking. Originally aired on Season 9, Episode 5: November 11, 2022.
On stage, Peter Wood presents incredible, magical objects with unparalleled showmanship. Off stage, his KZbin videos features performance clips, public show announcements, and build videos from his Impossible Workshop.

[@bzqp2]

The "5 switches" part killed me xddd

[@pranavps851]

What does the fifth switch do?

[@bzqp2]

@@pranavps851 5th one is the one in the box. It unlocks the hidden compartment containing the prearranged cards. He probably activates it somewhere around 4:30.

[@jamesfair9751]

I’m thinking the top of the box just drops down when he closes it. I would say the fifth switch is one that can turn on lights in whatever order he wants.

[@timmack2415]

As an electrical engineer, I couldn't possibly like this routine more. As a magic fan, your stage presence, your demeanor and the routine was fantastic from beginning to end. This act is definitely in the top few percent of routines that I really, really enjoyed. Thank you so much

[@PeterWood]

Wow, thank *you,* Tim! It's definitely one of those routines that is more fooling the more one knows about how electricity works. Glad you enjoyed it, and really appreciate your kind words.

[@steppeterwolf]

This guy needs his own show where he shows and explains items from his collection

[@briancherry8088]

7:56 I love Tellers reaction to the over-the-top code

[@joekenobi9432]

This is just a beautiful trick. I’ve got an engineering degree, so I grasp what’s going on here and this is one of the few times that I’ve actually understood every code word. Don’t mind at all, because I love, love, love the vintage look of this.

[@PeterWood]

That means a lot, Joe. Many thanks!

[@zebfross]

What a cool trick! The "5 switches" comment was hilarious; not sure how they caught that though!

[@gordol66]

I thought the "five switches" was part of the code.

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

@@gordol66 It was. 4 switches on the machine and 1 switch of the cards in the box. Watch him touch the box after Alison locks it, listen too.

[@manusoftar]

@@gordol66 it WAS

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

That was what told me how he did it. I had the rest down. Didn't think of that switch until they mentioned it.

[@B_mata]

Mikame Craft

[@TorQueMoD]

This was a great act. I kept thinking that the cards all had a metal connector placed at a specific height and that it didn't matter where you slotted them in, they would connect to their marked light. Then you took the cards away and I was stumped :P Well done :)

[@PeterWood]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the kind words, and hope it was a fun little journey to go on :-)

[@manusoftar]

not even close, the cards didn't have anything to do with the light bulbs turning on and off, it was just part of the illusion. He had some kind of programmable circuit which took care about that, probably inside the wooden base.

[@funlovingvoyeur]

That was an easy one. Just like those games with 2 connectors and a light bulb goes on when you connect two images that belong together. And then you removed the cards. Thanks for bringing magic.

[@PeterWood]

Thanks so much, Patrick! That last bit is definitely my favorite. Appreciate the kind words!

[@OiVinn-eq1ml]

I love this trick. Especially the antique contraption with those lights. I love edison lights & the feel it gives. Reminds me of my room. Wonderful presentation too!

[@PeterWood]

Big thanks from a fellow fan of vintage bulbs!

[@George_vv]

I love this trick so much. It really does have that classic eye catching magic shop prop look to it. The only thing I wish was different was the lock box because that kind of proves how the trick works. I feel like if it was done more in an impossible way as a prover it would definitely elevate the performance. Definitely still a great trick.

[@ImVeryOriginal]

Yeah, it's kind of obvious the box has a hidden compartment with pre-arranged cards. Plus there was really no reason given for her to put the cards in the box, she just takes them out immediately anyway. It's very hard to make prediciton magic seem magical, and this sort of leans into the same issue. Still a good performance and a lovely gimmick.

[@daddycheese689]

Great work, great performance and great attitude. Respect!

[@jack.soncalo]

I feel like Penn saying programming over and over was the code, but idec in knowing how it was done lmao. Such a light hearted, fun act

[@MrFrmartin]

Love watching your magic, live and on this show. Keep up the great magic Peter.

[@PeterWood]

Very kind of you to say. Much appreciated and will do my best!

[@ejicon3099]

Such a fun trick. Love your enthusiasm. Well done.

[@PeterWood]

Very kind of you! Thanks so much.

[@onlyguitar1001]

Wonderful!

[@iowaredneck9416]

The showmanship was definitely entertaining. This is probably the first trick that I’ve wondered if P&T got it right enough for it to count. It’s obvious that the prop is gimmicked, but I don’t think P&T shed enough light on how the networkers do their job to make the production flawless.

[@PeterWood]

Many thanks! Worth noting: there's an off-camera judge who (a) knows all the secrets, and (b) is listening to Penn & Teller deliberate. I trust the three of them completely, so if they say I wasn't a fooler, I believe it.

[@maxadrums]

One of my favorite tricks on Fool Us! Well done - really liked the trick, delivery, visuals.. All awesome!

[@PeterWood]

Wow! Thanks so much, @Maxadrums. Kind words in a KZbin comment mean more than you know; appreciate you!

[@SpammingY-pp2ru]

THIS IS SO COOOOOOL

[@granth4561]

Excellent introduction! Love the performance!

[@PeterWood]

Very kind of you, Grant. Thanks!

[@MahdiTheMagician]

So, so good! Fantastic!

[@PeterWood]

You're too kind, Mahdi. Thank you so much, and hope we get a chance to cross paths in person sometime!

[@ScottMilamscottenglishphoto]

This is fantastic! Doesn't matter that they figured it out... Just fantastic and so magical!

[@PeterWood]

Thanks so much, Scott!

[@user-is1yo3nj8p]

I don't get the point of the show in the fooling part. Where's the proof? Just them saying no doesn't really mean anything. Were they not supposed to reveal the trick? Or should we just trust they weren't fooled?

[@PeterWood]

Great question,@@user-is1yo3nj8p! There's an off-camera judge, a respected magician with whom every act shares their secrets. He listens to Penn & Teller as they deliberate, and ultimately tells them whether or not they were fooled. Everyone behind the scenes is honorable, trustworthy, and genuinely rooting for you to be a fooler. So when they say I didn't, I believe it 100%. And I appreciate that Penn doesn't reveal all the secret details in full on television, just one or two hints in his "bust" at the end.

[@MawileMage]

8:11 THERE ARE! FOUR! LIGHTS!

[@dkalambokis78]

@Xaldel YOU! ARE SO! WEIRD!

[@RickDarko]

Well. You fool me. !!! Great Trick.

[@PeterWood]

Many thanks, Rick!

[@SethiozProject]

Judging from Penn's hints, it sounds like you definetely had accomplish who changed the order. He specifically talked about "the network" and show and gave many references to that it's not you on the stage, but the "network" behind the stage, what's seen, what's not ..etc. About seeing what order cards were in the box, you could put a tiny camera in the box OR do sleight of hand / sleight of box and simply replace Alyson's random order with known order.

[@gingeral253]

They probably threw in a lot of random stuff too. When they said “programming”, are they suggesting that the device is determined by some kind of connection between the cards and the box? It’s hard to tell, since apparently they were shuffled randomly?

[@FlameBot]

The box has a mechanism to put a scripted set of cards on top of the origin ones and hide them after that. That's why not even she was allowed to see the order while shuffling. Pen told it that they spend zillion dollars for boxes looking normal

[@PApro]

Having someone backstage helping you is against the rules to even make it on the show. "Network" and "programing" refer to the electrical components.

[@grnphroggy]

@@PApro Not exactly - there have been several tricks that relied on off-stage help, but this one didn't. Unfortunately the full list of official rules is not publicly available.

[@swerve589]

@@PApro They can have help. There have been tricks on the show where someone is hiding under a table or in the back doing something. Penn has caught foolers in the show doing just that and flat out said it or said it in code. However, they can’t have a plant/stooge in the audience.

[@GlockSnW]

When a magician says, “Alyson is the only person in the world who knows what the second card is”… 5:31

[@ilsontfouscesromains]

That is a cool trick and the bulbs are nice I'm gonna buy some

[@ravikirankondeti3372]

Really good routine, loved it.

[@PeterWood]

Thank you so much!

[@b4ph0m3tdk9]

A lightbulb lit up!

[@JigilJigil]

That was pretty entertaining, well done.

[@PeterWood]

Much appreciated!

[@czl1841]

superb act

[@PeterWood]

Thanks so much!

[@pepe6666]

I love this trick. I think I know how I would build this so I won't spoil it. Very very clever! You really thought about this and it's real neat. You couldn't just randomly put things together & link together a trick like this. I lol @ the thanking the network and programming. Such a great code

[@PeterWood]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it. And yes, I also thoroughly enjoyed Penn's code :-)

[@marklord7614]

I often find myself thinking..."I'm sure they haven't seen this before", and then...they've seen it before :-)

[@PeterWood]

99% of magic is standing on the shoulders of giants! Unfortunately, Penn & Teller are two of the giants ...

[@melin1969]

even i caught all those code words and i got no idea on magic LOL

[@chdata]

Hah, their comment about a fifth switch is quite clever :)

[@d_e_a_n]

I first saw this effect done by Harry Anderson on the tonight show like 35 years ago. But with different coloured light bulbs. Fantastic effect. Even after googling how it works, I still don’t know how it works.

[@PeterWood]

Thanks for the kind words! I've only ever heard about Harry Anderson's routine, but have yet to find a clip. Hopefully someday it'll end up online.

[@d_e_a_n]

@@PeterWood ya it doesn’t seem to exist on the internet. I might have it recorded on an old VHS in some box in my basement. But I haven’t had a VCR in like 15 years.

[@PeterWood]

@@d_e_a_n If you stumble upon a tape that likely has it, drop me a message. Would be happy to digitize it!

[@shurpie8232]

THERE. ARE. FOUR. LIGHTS.

[@Jimorian]

Really nice performance! (And honestly, that's what the show is really about, the fooling P&T is just the gimmick). But I find myself wondering more about the 3rd ordering of the cards randomly by Allison far more than the final trick.

[@PeterWood]

Appreciate the kinds words, Jimorian! And agreed: while a trophy would be awesome, my goal was to get a great spot on national TV with something I'm proud of.

[@youtubeSuckssNow]

Please do the fire version!

[@PeterWood]

I mean, it's tempting ...

[@SurfTheSkyline]

@@PeterWood If you do end up creating a fire version please share video of it! It could be a fantastic way to demonstrate to kids both magic and chemistry at the same time and nothing holds a kids attention quite like flames! I can also imagine some pun about "you know us magicians love the limelight" or something to that affect when green fire appears. Regardless the trick is marvelous!

[@PeterWood]

Thanks for the kind words,@@SurfTheSkyline! I agree that everyone loves fire :-) If I ever do I will 100% share a video.

[@chriswatson7965]

I'm not convinced P&T really knew how it worked. Good show.

[@zainlam9965]

i think they did with the keywords like network and an emphasis on 5 switches

[@chriswatson7965]

@@zainlam9965 But it's obvious that there must be extra wiring and at least one extra switch. That doesn't explain how it's done.

[@zainlam9965]

@@chriswatson7965 it's not an extra switch, I assume it refers to the switch when the host made a 'free choice' when putting it into the box, so the whole thing could be preprogrammed since that's a force

[@chriswatson7965]

@@zainlam9965 He could well have been referring to that, but it still isn't an explanation of how the trick works with respect to the apparatus.

[@zainlam9965]

@@chriswatson7965 i think 'network' refers to the fact that there is an assistant controlling the lights remotely, and the switches on the contraption are connected to nothing?

[@shawnstruck]

I love the shoutout to other mentalists on the box: "Mind Noodler riverboat Casino" the Grant Ai Frieght (Grant Peirce) and then Colder & Hiatt (colder and hot). Super clever

[@shawnstruck]

Oh! And of course you have a video calling those out also on your channel which I am just seeing now, and I feel super sheepish. Whoops

[@PeterWood]

All good, @shawnstruck! The fact that you noticed that there even *were* Easter eggs puts you among my favorites. Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@TheCzomolungm]

As electronics engineer i think i'm not fooled completely. Now I'm just wondering if I'm able to communicate this in code properly? Nonetheless, fantastic contraption, great show!

[@PeterWood]

I appreciate the kind words! Love me some contraptions :-)

[@TedTheTree]

Same as his last trick with the four envelopes instead;

[@AngelicusImmortus]

Penn talks in code… or just tells everyone how it’s done

[@rhys180606]

5 switches ha

[@StevenLoitz]

That is a clever setup! Alyson placing the cards in a random order still has me fooled.

[@danpowell1638]

trick box. He told her not to look at the order, so that when the lid of the box closes it drops down some cards that are in a predetermined order

[@aikijanka]

Yeah, it got me at first. Until I noticed that the bulbs came on starting from one end to another. Like any switch will light the first bulb first and so on. ;)

[@Max_Jacoby]

Of course it's some kind of "network" and "programming". You wouldn't say it's a sleight of hand or mentalism, would you? What I'd like to hear is a more elaborate hints about determining the order of cards in the box. I have an idea and if I'm correct the magic happens in a moment when Alison removes a top card out of a stack.

[@Quaitch]

He gave a huge hint about the cards ;)

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

Wrong. The fifth switch is of the cards in the box.

[@aikijanka]

I've had a "magic set" a long, long time ago. There was a box that could be open in 2 different ways - in one way there was an empty place for an object, in other way it looked as if that object is there (I don't remember more details). It should give you a hint, how the order of cards was known for the magician beforehand ;) (I mean there is 2 sets of cards in that box and when opened again, the spectator takes out other set than he did put in) That, ofc, is only my guess. And seeing a way the magic trick was (or could be) performed, doesn't take away a joy to guess it. And in most cases even knowing the mechanics behind the trick I'm still amazed how well they can perform it.

[@silver_bowling]

at 4:30 there's a sort of click when he moves the box; there's probably a false floor that spins around and reveals a new set of pre-arranged cards. The 5th switch is probably whatever triggers that card swap

[@Cardistian]

Just saw this for very 1st time, that's really awesome how you can still do great effects with seemingly old technology😁👍 6:34 When you were telling Allison about "looking for different tones of colored cards & fire" I immediately thought of Horret Wu & his "light Saber - color change" with cards. Hope don't mind but I felt like I should mention it to ya because it's possible you may not have seen the colored light type of magic effect Horret Wu does with cards. Hope it helps maybe. Heres the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6elnJ6GbdR5jtk

[@PeterWood]

How great is Horret Wu?!? Definitely a fan of Horret's magic and thinking. Alyson's question totally threw me for a loop - just a question that popped into her head - so my "I dunno, colored fire?" response was 100% genuine and unrehearsed :-) Appreciate your comment and kind words!

[@SmokeytheGhost]

There was a 5th switch

[@MBValentine]

Here I thought it was somethin like "The first switch to be flipped always turns on the first light, and so on", and right when I thought that you faffed about with all of them, dammit. Good routine, I'm gonna lose sleep tonight trying to figure it out >:D

[@PeterWood]

Thank you so much! Not only for the compliment, but "faffed" needs to be used more often and I appreciate you doing your part :-)

[@MBValentine]

@@PeterWood FINALLY, SOMEONE GETS IT

[@1002l]

network and programming, for once even i could understand the codes!

[@gbake6080]

How did he do it though? Did anyone catch that

[@lolmouf]

its all pre programmed. The order of the lights coming on is pre determined. He influences the cards, but ill let you figure that part out yourself.

[@manusoftar]

as Jake's Opinions said, the order in which the light bulbs will turn on and off as well as the timing is pre programed, for the cards that Alyson shuffled, there is a hidden compartment on the box, when Alyson closes the lid, there is a mechanism that locks in place so the next time the box is opened, instead of revealing the cards Alyson place, it reveals a different compartment with prearranged card that match the preprogrammed order, just that simple.

[@HiddenAgendas]

@@manusoftar Yeah, would be more impressive if the card she shuffled was in her hands at all time.

[@FlameBot]

And how was it done when Alyson arrange them in a different order? Was a second person involved? //edit Seems logical. He chooses what to switch on first. The position of the card was irrelevant

[@manusoftar]

@@FlameBot as I said before, Alyson places the shuffled cards inside the box, then she closes it, after he does and says a couple of things, then she is requested to retrieve the cards from inside the box. The thing is that when she closes the box, a secrete compartment is unlocked which will cover the cards she place and reveal a duplicate set of cards already ordered to match the preprogrammed order in which the lights will turn. That is also why Penn talked about 5 FIVE switches, when the contraption only has 4 FOUR "LIGHT" SWITCHES... the fifth SWITCH is not a "LIGHT" SWITCH but a DECK SWITCH (or on this case, a cards switch, meaning that the cards inside the box get switch by other 4 cards pre sorted).

[@tantzer6113]

This was fun, but since just about anything can be done with electronically gimmicked objects, I don’t know whether to be impressed.

[@PeterWood]

Agreed! Glad you found it fun, at least.

[@AngelicusImmortus]

How many times was he going to say Network??? This magician code schtick is just silly now.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

Alyson, you're looking good girl... and i'm 74.

[@benjaminofori9150]

honestly u must go hardcore to fool pen and teller ...

[@draigonzooba]

How was he able to guess the four cards at the end?

[@lmc4964]

My only guess was, its a big box so maybe another layer dropped with the new cards that he knew the order of, though I didnt pick up anything from Penn's code words

[@jasonbopp6234]

@@lmc4964 (SPOILER) The keyword from Penn on this was "Switch" (5 switches instead of 4) - this wasn't a mistake from Penn speaking. :) There was a switch done to switch the random cards with a set where the order is known. Probably dropped over the random cards when the box was closed.

[@vastgirth4928]

Pretty obvious to work out, but a delightful trick nonetheless

[@PeterWood]

I'll take it :-)

[@sunnyscott4876]

I love Allison's clunky white tennis shoes. She's not trotting around that stage in stilettos. Good for her. She's cute and charming 😍.

[@JonathanHsulokihsu]

nice try at misdirecting with the fire idea...

[@frenchbullfrog]

You fooled them!

[@manusoftar]

no he didn't

[@garcipat]

Rfid

[@manusoftar]

I really find this too simple, not interesting enough, not baffling enough. If you don't want to know how I belive this trick is or could be done then stop reading now... Well, I don't think those switches had anything to do with the lights turn on and of whatsoever. He could indeed have an assistant backstage doing the dirty job of turning on and off each light, that is one posibility. He can also have a computer like a raspberry pi inside the big wooden box on top of which are the light bulbs that has a little program coded on it to turn on an off the lights on different orders to achieve the effect (I mean that there are specific stages of the trick with a specific light bulb order for each one of em) at first he arranges the cards however he need em to fit with the program, then when Alyson shuffles the cards there is a simple gimmick on the smaller box, a secret compartmen which has another four cards place in a specific, prearranged order, when she closes the box, it switches internally in a way that the next time it is opened, instead of reveling the cards Alyson placed inside it would reveal the previously hidden compartment so when Alyson picks each card from the box, she is, in reality picking the cards that where placed on a prearranged order. Couldn't be more simple.

[@d_e_a_n]

No. Harry Anderson did this effect on the tonight show 35 years ago but with coloured light bulbs. There’s a modern version of it you can buy Didn’t need technology just an understanding of current.

[@manusoftar]

@@d_e_a_n well, he agreed about Penn's code words regarding programming so, yes, technology was used on this performance

[@TOLupe-ty6jb]

I'm the first to ever leave a comment 😅

[@PeterWood]

Woo hoo! Thanks T.O.

[@samrum9170]

useless

[@prooq158]

That trick was not even slightly impressive.

[@ejicon3099]

Neither is your comment

[@prooq158]

@@ejicon3099 But my comment was not made to impress someone.

[@7ebr830]

@@prooq158 I'm with you on *both* your comments. Please ignore the Philistines. 🙄

[@yatinkheti2427]

I'm not sure how it's done. Since you aren't Impressed I'm assuming you know how?

[@7ebr830]

🥱

[@NZVideoGuy]

Great trick. Allison seems to be putting on weight. Her face seems chubbier.