ERIC MEAD : MASTER OF THE MAGIC BAR

Magician Eric Mead is profiled in an article from the Aspen times which looks both at his career in magic and his aspirations to work in film. Mead talks about the John Denver's Tower Magic Bar where he worked with Doc Eason. “For me, the Tower was grad school,” said Mead, who, in truth, dropped out of Colorado State after a short stint to make a living doing magic. “The time at the Tower taught me everything about being with people, adapting the show in real time to who and what you faced — whether you need to be quiet, where the lines are you could cross or not cross.”

MNW #83 :: RICHARD KAUFMAN

Richard Kufman of Genii Magazine joins us for our monthly chat to explore the current issue of the magazine. The cover features Japanese magician Hiro Sakai who currently performs as a popular character on Japanese Television, "Dr. Leon." Paul Harris discusses the Pointer Anomoly and Genii hosts a contest to win the greatly anticipated True Astonishments DVD series. Richard also talks about his upcoming book project and a new DVD set that has just hit the market. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD KAUFMAN: Other Ways To Listen... ----------------------------------- iTunes Subscription - Free Download the MP3 File Get it for your Zune Other podcast clients (pcast:// compatible) RSS WATCH A CLIP OF HIRO AS DR. LEON:

FROM MALL COP TO MAGICIAN

Comedic Actor Kevin James moves from his role as a Mall Cop to producing a web series with a magic theme. According to Artist Direct, "Fresh off the massive success of last weekend's comedy caper Paul Blart: Mall Cop in which he played the title role, funnyman Kevin James has created a web series called "Dusty Peacock." His "Paul Blart" and "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" co-star (...and brother) Gary Valentine will star in the series. Sony Pictures TV will produce for Crackle.com. Valentine will play a failed illusionist who can't get it together. James is also in discussions to direct some of the webisodes." Crackle.com also hosts one of my favorite video blogs "Penn Says" featuring Penn Jillette.

CRISS ANGEL IN CRISIS?

Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton speculates that the Cirque production of Criss Angel Believe is in crisis. In his blog, Perez says:  "As we mentioned last month, Criss Angel's new Cirque du Soleil show,Believe, opened to very very bad reviews. Even large publications have bashed the shiteous show. And now, in what looks to be a sign of bad times for the show,  tickets are already being offered at almost half price! The official Cirque site mentions everyone can enjoy "A Haunting Journey with Criss Angel at 40% Off." Only 40% off? Maybe if it were free people would be willing to go watch it. The site adds:

"CRISS ANGEL Believe is a haunting exploration deep inside the inventive mind of mystifyer Criss Angel as he hovers between the land of the living and a surreal world. Enjoy 40% off tickets to select performances to CRISS ANGEL Believe!"

Wonder if the show's closing is coming anytime soon?"

KRISTEN JOHNSON VIDEO SURFACES

In a phone call today with Kevin Ridgeway, he made us aware of the fact that a video of Kristen's close call during a presentation of her visible water torture escape was posted on online. Kevin told me, "Kristen suffered an hypoxic seizure after freeing herselfe from one of the restrains. She wasn't feeling well earlier in the day, but that seems to have been low blood sugar. We've staged that escape 599 times and had only one other incident which is a very good track record. The video of the incident has surfaced online, but it's pretty disturbing to watch. Please remind your readers that Kristen is performing the exact escape that we're discussing on the next episode of Masters of Illusion."   ANOTHER ANGLE ON THE ALMOST ACCIDENT :: HERE'S A VIDEO OF THE EFFECT AS KRISTEN REGULARLY PERFORMS IT ::

MNW #82 :: BILL KALUSH

Bill "The Triggerman" Kalush joins us on this episode of the Magic Newswire podcast. Bill founded the Conjuring Arts Research Center in 2003 which has on its' board several significant figures as David Blaine, Steve Cuiffo, Mike Caveney, and Philip Varrichio. Kaulush has been a close friend and associate of David Blaine since they first met in the early 1990's and has consulted with David on almost every television special that he has produced. Bill appeared on "David Blaine : Dive of Death" when he pulled the trigger on the rifle used in Blaine's bullet catch. In addition, Bill was the co-author of the bestselling biography "The Secret Life of Houdini : America's First Super Hero."
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NEAR DROWNING ON URI LIVE

From The Sun we learn of a very close call for an aspiring Uri Geller on his live reality competition show "The Next Uri Geller. According to the article, "A woman identified only as Amila, 26, was sealed in a tank which slowly filled with water. She had to guess a four-figure code which would enable her to get out." After correctly entering only two of the numbers, and assistant rushed onto the stage to cut open the locks and free her from the cell. "She’s upset because she thinks it damages her credibility but the show’s upset because the bosses didn’t know where they stood insurance-wise if she croaked on camera." The premise of the show is to invite aspiring illusionists to compete to become his successor. READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE VIDEO:

TODD DIAMOND ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

In an email sent to friends, and posted with his permission in various magic forums, Todd Diamnond expressed his frustration with the industry and announced his retirement. Here is a brief excerpt: "I am basically fed up with the trivial stuff that I see happening with magic. When I watch magic on TV I laugh, I think to myself that our art has turned into a joke and that layman must think we are just bored individuals that think we are cool. We are overpaid geeks, simple as that. I am sure I am going to offend a ton of magicians and that is not my intention. My intention is to point out that we put are putting out material that is the same recycled crap and on TV it is the same. How many times are we going to see origami, sub trunk, billiard balls, vanishing bird cage, stupid card tricks, and my favorite, people that have no experience on TV and it shows with their patter. The above lists of people are people that have many years of experience and understand the art, however most of them you will not know. Their skill, entertainment value and understanding for the art will surpass the majority of you that are reading this!"  Todd also indicated that he was clearing out the remaining inventory of his  !@#$ Street Magic DVD's as well as the Magic from the Grave. If interested in obtaining these, you can contact Todd at HIS WEBSITE or at MAGICFROMTHEGRAVE.COM WATCH THE TRAILER FOR MAGIC FROM THE GRAVE: Magic From The Grave from Deceased From The Grave on Vimeo.

BRIAN BRUSHWOOD AND DANIEL GARCIA ON BBLIVE.COM

Brian Brushwood will host another of his BBlive chats tonight at 9:30 PM EST. This evenings guest are magic creator and consultant Daniel Garcia. According to Brian's Twitter, "Tonight in studio: magic technical genius Daniel Garcia and Marketing wizard CJ Johnson. Tonight's bbliveshow.com will have killer tricks & teach a NEW effect you can do with the "human chimney" from Scam School #1."

LISTEN TO MY CHAT WITH DANNY GARCICLES:

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LISTEN TO MY CHAT BRIAN AND PUSSYCAT DOLL KIMBERLY WYATT:

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MNW #81 :: ED ALONZO

The Misfit of Magic is a fitting title for magician, comedian and actor Ed Alonzo. Ed was named "Best Comedy Illusionist" on the 2008 World Magic Awards and is a featured performer on Episode 3 of Masters of Illusion. Ed began his career in magic as a member of both the Long Beach Mystics and the Junior program of the Magic Castle. Ed Alonzo won the coveted "Stage Magician of the Year" for two consecutive years, and "Comedy Magician of the Year" for another two consecutive years from the internationally recognized Academy of Magical Arts. Ed's unique blend of vaudvilian comedy and such bizarrely staged illusions as "Great Rack" and the "Invisible Baby Elephant" make Ed a truly unique character.

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