Archive for August, 2007

Theory 11 Gets Revealed Tonight

Posted by Editor on August 31st, 2007

UPDATE: From our own Derek Merdinyan, Chris Kenner himself says that all the clues for the site have been found…

Theory 11

The online lesson in curiosity and unrestrained hype known as Theory 11 comes to a climax this very evening at 11 p.m. EST as the curtain is pulled back to reveal… well… something. Rumors have circulated that it could be anything from a series of DVDs to an online retail destination and everything in between. However, after Magic Live when Chris Kenner casually revealed he had a replica of the Jeopardy set built on a whim to shoot a parody video for a few hundred people, we still aren’t ruling out the possibility that this is an elaborate joke for Mr. Kenner’s personal amusement.

We know that a few of our regulars are absolutely atwitter with anticipation so feel free to use the comments section on this post as a sounding board after the ribbon is cut.

One final note, our favorite reaction to this entire suspense hurricane has to be Daniel Garcia’s which allegedly led him to design and print a t-shirt reading “What Is Theory 12″ on the front and “Yeah, We’re Better” on the back.

iTricks Roundup: More Angel VMA Performance Details

Posted by Editor on August 31st, 2007

MTV Music Awards

Robin Leach, who has served as an unofficial mouthpiece for Criss Angel over the past couple years ran his own details of how the Mindfreak magician will help Britney stage her big “comeback” performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. Only a few days ago, Hollywood.com ran a more specific list of details that seem to match up.

LUXE LIFE is learning that Mindfreak magician Criss Angel has devised two magic illusions for Britney to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards.

One will involve a series of “amazing disappearances” – and “incredible reappearances” while she is performing her new dance single which even in its “leaked” stage is getting rave reviews. The second illusion involves her dance team and musicians rising in some form of a suspended state above the stage while Britney miraculeously darts between them- also suspended.

Leach also reports that the pair will not walk the red carpet together for Britney’s big appearance at the newly opened LAX club at the Luxor this weekend.

Dave’s Hollywood Minute has a feature on Jason Alexander’s stint at The Magic Castle and how his considerable magic talent could factor into his cameo on Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ sitcom The New Adventures Of Old Christine.

• Meanwhile, this blogger seems blown away by the fearsome quartet of Phoenix Suns Forward Amare Stoudimire, UFC beast Chuck Lidell, Criss Angel and adult film icon Ron Jeremy partying it up last week.

Derren Brown made an appearance at Stephen Fry’s 50th birthday party which took place at a quiet Norfolk pub and reportedly had a guest list you could count on two hands.

• According to Pamela Anderson’s online diary, her and Hans Klok are working out an underwater illusion that soaks the former Baywatch star.

Magic Chatter: What The Blogs Are Saying

Posted by Editor on August 31st, 2007

Ellis and Webster got a big feature in the newest Magic Magazine [Magic Unlimited]

The Magician rounds up a list of new magic blogs including new offerings from Aaron Fisher and one dedicated to Bicycle Cards [The Magician]

Bizzaro helps you find that “magic moment” [Why am I stuck in magician hell?]

A lesson in keeping your vast magic library insured (and a joke about Tyler Wilson dating his own sister) from Andi Gladwin [The Clog]

iTricks.TV Pick Of The Day: Time Machine

Posted by Editor on August 30th, 2007

iTricks.TV

Busy day on the iTricks.TV side today but this Lance Burton routine featuring a home-made time machine has to take the cake. What a great way to dress up an effect. It joins David Stone on French TV making a wine bottle appear and a Kozak smoking routine as our favorite clip uploaded today.

If you have a video you want to see on iTricks.TV, make sure to send it to MagicVideos@iTricks.com. Keep your eye on iTricks.TV for our constantly updated feed.

Jeff Hobson: Big Man On Campus

Posted by Editor on August 30th, 2007
Jeff Hobson And The Little Legends

This picture depicting the cast of the Little Legends show including host Jeff Hobson is from Robin Leach’s blog and may or may not be nightmare fuel for some of the more sensitive of our iTricks readership. Then again, if the Liberace of Magic was leading an army of tiny celebrity impersonators through your subconscious, is there any acceptable reaction but panic?

The Opinion Index: A Sampling Of New Reviews

Posted by Editor on August 30th, 2007

Over at iTricks Reviews we have an ever growing list of opinions on a bunch of effects. Maybe even that one you’ve been thinking about buying. Maybe it’s the one you’ll snap up immediately once you realize it the perfect way to round out your set.

Who creates our reviews? You do. Yup, just follow these directions and tell us about the tricks you love the best. Enjoy.

FRIEND

Friend Vol. 1 reviewed by Derek Merdinyan. (podcast and written summary)

SESSION

Session: The Magic Of Joel Givens reviewed by Derek Merdinyan. (podcast and written summary)

STONECOLD

Stone Cold reviewed by Derek Merdinyan. (podcast and written summary)

Man Breaks Into Houdini Museum, Promptly Arrested

Posted by Editor on August 30th, 2007

Houdini Museum In Scranton

Twenty-five-year-old Charles Watkins is in jail toady after breaking into the Houdini museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was chased down by several officers at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. According to the this report, there is one accomplice of his still at large. Nothing was taken from the museum according to the director, but that didn’t stop her from making this comment…

Museum co-founder and director Dorothy Dietrich said nothing was taken in the break-in, but believes the suspect “is going to need more than Houdini to escape from this problem.”

Considering that even if Houdini wasn’t… well dead, he had little expertise in criminal defense law, I think that that would be kind of a no brainer.

Thanks to iTricks superstar Derek Merdinyan for the tip on this.