Do You Believe In Magic? Well, You Probably Shouldn't

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I like magic. The close-up kind, Vegas-style overblown illusions, even the "street" variety... In fact, I have a magician buddy who I constantly harass, begging him to bring a few "tricks" out at night with him. All so that I can sit, eyes-glazed in some dimly-lit bar, drunkenly "whoa-ing" as he makes a matchstick flit around on his palm.

I don't like people actually claiming to be magic/psychic/able to control dragons.

NBC ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH WORLD-RENOWNED MYSTIFIER CRISS ANGEL AND FAMED MENTALIST URI GELLER FOR 'PHENOMENON,' CONTROVERSIAL NEW LIVE COMPETITION SERIES THAT WILL LEAD SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT MENTALIST
Are you allowed to use the word "controversial" to describe your own show... before any actual controversy has developed? Isn't that like telling people you're "crazy" and then deliberately "acting crazy" until someone notices you? What they're saying is, "we'd very much like to be considered controversial." How bad have things gotten that you can just use that word in a press release without someone calling you on it?

Does anyone believe either of these simpletons has the abilty to conjure anything other than digust in a viewer? And yet I'm sure the whole show will revolve around them holding court, spouting off about the magical, spirit realm in hokey, hushed whispers. Their supernatural supremacy, never for a moment questioned.

Criss Angel? A guy who looked at David Blaine's schtick and decided what the act needed was half the talent and double the androgyny. I don't have a set of guidelines for magicians but if I did Rule One would be "Put on a shirt," followed by "button the shirt" and finally "Please, stop bugging your eyes out."

Uri Geller? A relic from the '70s, debunked many times, most notably on NBC's own "The Tonight Show."

BURBANK - July 16, 2007 - NBC has signed a series deal with mystifier/artist Criss Angel ("Criss Angel Mindfreak") and famed mentalist Uri Geller for "Phenomenon" (working title) -- a mysterious live competition series in which both men will conduct an intensive search for the next great mentalist.
Uhh, where's the "first great mentalist?" Aren't we still waiting for him? Is he off working for NASA?

And now you're claiming the competition itself is "mysterious"? That sounds problematic, maybe you should get the kinks worked out before you debut the show. I'm not sure "mysterious" is the best way to attract advertisers. Advertisers other than "wolfsbane" manufacturers.

"The match-up of two world-famous personalities, Uri Geller and Criss Angel -- who have demonstrated astounding skills -- makes for a riveting series format," said Silverman. "Factor in the mystery of the genre, the live competitive angle as the contestants attempt to follow in Criss and Uri's footsteps, and incredible interactive applications, and we think viewers will have many compelling reasons to watch."

The series, based on a successful Israeli version judged and monitored by Geller which achieved a historical record-breaking viewing audience, tests 10 hopeful mentalists who must compete each week to demonstrate a wide spectrum of mystifying talents on a panel of weekly celebrity guests who participate along with a studio audience. Geller and Angel will assess the contestants and offer their unfiltered opinions. Ultimately, the winner's fate will be determined by the viewers at home.
I too have an announcement. I've decided to appoint a champion from off the street to challenge their so-called winner. Either my mailman, neighbor's kid or ficus plant will move to the finals... And have a 50/50 shot at beating the "Phenomenon" champion.

The visually arresting Angel is the creator, director and star of his self-titled, alternative cable series, "Criss Angel MINDFREAK" which is currently wrapping post production on its third remarkable and critically acclaimed season.
Visually arresting = Acts "weird" in public. Which, honestly, may be his most impressive stunt. It's gotta be hard to stare wide-eyed into the abyss, gesturing furiously... when you just want to take a leak or eat a sandwich or do whatever it was that was interrupted by some dim-witted "fan."

Geller soared to international fame by claiming extreme mind-over-matter abilities that aroused much controversy to this day in his hundreds of TV shows across the globe -- particularly the ability to bend spoons, among others. He was instrumental in creating the first interactive TV show worldwide when mysteriously objects bent in people's homes and broken watches came alive.
Hahahaha. Indeed. Soared to fame by "claiming" abilities. Not proving, claiming. That really says it all. I'm surprised that didn't warrant a "mystifyingly claiming" to spruce it up.

They should've given the show to The Amazing Randi. You remember him, right? He's the guy that exposed Uri Geller... How do you not love a self-proclaimed magician-hunter? A man traveling the globe exposing psychics and scammers, that's the show they should make. At the very least, you should have him vet your own mentalists before giving them a show. "Right this way, gents, before we get started we'd like you to meet our head of human resources... James Randi."

In the '70s he put down a million dollar bounty for anyone proving actual supernatural ability. It has yet to be claimed. Sounds like easy money. Criss? Uri?

I'm sure they've just been busy.

TheCoolerKing was all set to call this article "The Wizard of Ahhhs" until Gerry_D beat him to the wizard title of the day.

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