Teller notes that the doublespeak helps teach people new techniques without spoiling the trick.

The pilot of Fool Us was first commissioned by John Kaye Cooper, the controller of entertainment for ITV.

[4] In February 2011, it was announced that due to good viewing figures, a series of eight episodes had been commissioned, and would be produced by September Films and 1/17 Productions.

[6] It was announced on 28 June 2012 that ITV had cancelled the show, despite averaging 4 million viewers, higher than the norm for the timeslot.

[9] On 11 August 2015 the series was renewed for a third season by The CW[10] which premiered on 13 July 2016,[11][12] now hosted by Alyson Hannigan.

Due to COVID-19 safety and travel restrictions, the second half of season 7 was filmed with a virtual audience, and international acts performed via video from their home countries.

[19] On 18 May 2023, the series was renewed for a tenth season, with new host Brooke Burke which was taped during the first weeks of July in the Penn & Teller Theatre at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

"[182] Appearance on the show has become highly prestigious for magicians and more influential in marketing themselves than winning industry awards.