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A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

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Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#11

Post by jackthetab »

metalliqaz wrote: post #10
DocTomoe wrote: post #6

Considering for some years now, Penn & Teller's whole act is basically exactly what this guy did, I'd chalk his shunning down to him trying to protect his identity (yes, in the last episode, he dud reveal himself, I know... but I suspect that was not entirely voluntary.)

I've seen P&T's show in Vegas a few times, and I've seen many of their TV appearances. They do explain how illusions work, but they don't spoil other magicians tricks. They will do an old classic, show it from the "other side", and then while you aren't paying attention they pull off something new, giving no explanation for that one.

I just saw an interview with Penn wherein he stated that they have been thrown out of The Magic Castle, et. al for revealing tricks.

Given their popularity, I'm sure they've been allowed back in. :-)

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#12

Post by busterarm »

jackthetab wrote: post #11
metalliqaz wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen P&T's show in Vegas a few times, and I've seen many of their TV appearances. They do explain how illusions work, but they don't spoil other magicians tricks. They will do an old classic, show it from the "other side", and then while you aren't paying attention they pull off something new, giving no explanation for that one.

I just saw an interview with Penn wherein he stated that they have been thrown out of The Magic Castle, et. al for revealing tricks. Given their popularity, I'm sure they've been allowed back in. :-)

The Magic Castle is for Magic Circle members. Magic Circle rules very strictly prohibit their membership. They could always attend the Castle as guests of a member though.

The Magic Circle still asks them to donate items to their museum, despite refusing their membership.

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#13

Post by bigbuppo »

DocTomoe wrote: post #6

Considering for some years now, Penn & Teller's whole act is basically exactly what this guy did, I'd chalk his shunning down to him trying to protect his identity (yes, in the last episode, he dud reveal himself, I know... but I suspect that was not entirely voluntary.)

P&T's whole deal is revealing the low-hanging fruit in frutherance of the greater trick. There are some circles that shun them for revealing things, but they're still respected by those same groups, and are well-liked all around. Why? Penn and Teller respect the artform. Valentino just went around being a dick about it, with complete contempt for the craft. That's the difference.

Seriously... his deal is magicians lie? You mean it's all an act? What a revelation. At no time in the last few thousand years has anybody in the history of the world ever figured that out. Nope, none at all.

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#14

Post by bigbuppo »

busterarm wrote: post #12
jackthetab wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just saw an interview with Penn wherein he stated that they have been thrown out of The Magic Castle, et. al for revealing tricks. Given their popularity, I'm sure they've been allowed back in. :-)

The Magic Castle is for Magic Circle members. Magic Circle rules very strictly prohibit their membership. They could always attend the Castle as guests of a member though. The Magic Circle still asks them to donate items to their museum, despite refusing their membership.

You're confusing the magic castle with the magic circle...

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#15

Post by busterarm »

bigbuppo wrote: post #14
busterarm wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Magic Castle is for Magic Circle members. Magic Circle rules very strictly prohibit their membership. They could always attend the Castle as guests of a member though. The Magic Circle still asks them to donate items to their museum, despite refusing their membership.

You're confusing the magic castle with the magic circle...

It's the Circle that has strict rules about not revealing tricks. If they're Academy of Magical Arts members their access to the Castle is guaranteed.

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#16

Post by belril »

bigbuppo wrote: post #13
DocTomoe wrote: post #6

Considering for some years now, Penn & Teller's whole act is basically exactly what this guy did, I'd chalk his shunning down to him trying to protect his identity (yes, in the last episode, he dud reveal himself, I know... but I suspect that was not entirely voluntary.)

P&T's whole deal is revealing the low-hanging fruit in frutherance of the greater trick. There are some circles that shun them for revealing things, but they're still respected by those same groups, and are well-liked all around. Why? Penn and Teller respect the artform. Valentino just went around being a dick about it, with complete contempt for the craft. That's the difference. Seriously... his deal is magicians li…

To take this a step further, P&T's reveals often highlight and celebrate the complexity of pulling off a given trick. Sure, you understand how the cups and balls can be done after watching them do it, but good luck trying to replicate the smoothness of their performance. They actually make a point of celebrating the complexity of the method, even if it's revealed.

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#17

Post by empath75 »

metalliqaz wrote: post #10
DocTomoe wrote: post #6

Considering for some years now, Penn & Teller's whole act is basically exactly what this guy did, I'd chalk his shunning down to him trying to protect his identity (yes, in the last episode, he dud reveal himself, I know... but I suspect that was not entirely voluntary.)

I've seen P&T's show in Vegas a few times, and I've seen many of their TV appearances. They do explain how illusions work, but they don't spoil other magicians tricks. They will do an old classic, show it from the "other side", and then while you aren't paying attention they pull off something new, giving no explanation for that one.

You should pretty much never trust magicians who "explain" how their illusions work. Sometimes they genuinely do explain it, but often, it's still another trick. Derren Brown does this a lot.

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#18

Post by giancarlostoro »

atum47 wrote: post #9
atum47 wrote: post #7

We still, to this day, say: "explain that, Mr. M" when something is not right. "I lend you 10 bucks yesterday for you to buy lunch, today I see you are wearing a new shirt. Explain that Mr. M"

Explain that Mr. M was the catch phrase the host would say after Mr. M perform the trick (illusion Michael) and before he showed how it was done.

They're called illusions Michael... A trick is...

Re: A Blacklisted American Magician Became a Hero in Brazil

#20

Post by scop »

I loved his shows when I was a kid. I was pretty into magic (e.g. going to the local shop and buying tricks) and this show was the most exciting thing I had ever seen. I get that it broke many rules, but I think it was well timed. If it had been earlier I think it would have been a true rule-breaking, “we’re exposing secrets cuz we just don’t care” type of thing. But in the 90s/00s it was a moment in which a new generation of TV kids. Whenever I would watch magic on TV I thought it was pretty lame because, after all, how do you know it was just special effects BS? This guy revealed that even though it was on TV it was still an execution of skill/engineering/performance. Super fascinating. Thanks Val!
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