This Week in Magic - August 11, 2014

The biggest news in the past few weeks is the amount of magic that is airing on television. 

America’s Got Talent

It’s summer and although I’ve found little time to watch TV, I know that “America’s Got Talent” is running. You see, at my weekly restaurant magic gigs, my “regulars” are constantly asking me about the magicians and illusions featured on the show. 

Several magicians featured this season include: Mike Super, Smoothini, and Mat Franco.  What’s most notable is that much of the magic is close-up. The magicians walk right up to the judges and perform much as one might when table-hopping. 

This is such a change from several years back when the magic category was something of an arms race with the bigger the illusion, the better. This culminated with Murray Sawchuck vanishing a massive train on stage. 

It’s great to see close-up magic being showcased, but the celebrity judges are beginning to question whether the routines can play at Radio City Music Hall during the next level. You can watch recent performances by Mat Franco here and here, Mike Super here and Smoothini here.

Penn & Teller Fool Us

In the States, the UK program “Penn & Teller Fool Us” is currently airing on the CW Network. The show is immensely entertaining and features excellent magic performances.  You can watch the show online here.

Masters of Illusion

Also on the CW this summer is the latest season of the “Masters of Illusion” magic variety show. While I normally welcome any positive presentations of magic on television, I’ve soured on this show since its last iteration. And I don’t see much improvement with the current season. 

This season, gone are the close-up street segments and in the first two episodes, the emphasis is on big stage illusions. The problem is, many of the illusions have been performed in earlier seasons by other artists. Also, many of the illusions and even the magicians have been seen on “America’s Got Talent” in recent seasons.

This biggest problem, however, is that the show offers little means for a performer to establish character and personality. There’s a short introduction by the host, the illusion is quickly and efficiently performed, and during the bow, there’s a virtual, on-screen explosion/transition, and the show moves on. I challenge viewers to recall the name of a single performer. “Masters of Illusion” can learn from the short introductory segments shown on “America’s Got Talent” and “Penn & Teller Fool Us.”

Illusions are great. But in magic entertainment, personality is everything.  You can watch the show online here.

Magic Reviews
I reviewed three products this week. Infamous, by Daniel Meadows and James Anthony, is an excellent mentalism routine that employs an intriguing Stroop test which is combined with a powerful book test. I really like this one and you can read my review here. 

If you like to levitate objects in close-up situations, you’ll enjoy the Defiance system by Mariano Goni. It’s not impromptu, but you’ll learn some excellent techniques. You can read my review here.

Finally, there’s the self-capping marker of Frea-capped by Kieron Johnson. The problem is, to perform the trick you have to stick the gimmicked Sharpie marker into your mouth and turn away momentarily from your audience. I think that there are well known sleight of hand bits that will get reactions just as strong or stronger. I recommend that you pass on this one. You can read my review here. 

More Reading: 

Opinion: What Makes Great TV Magic?

Interview: Gay Blackstone - "Masters of Illusion" - Magic & Illusion 

Masters of Illusion: Jewish Magicians of the Golden Age