Please enjoy this retrospective of the year that was in magic through the eyes of the iTricks staff accompanied by a caterwauling rendition of Auld Lang Syne by Justin Robert Young, Brian Brushwood and Bizzaro recorded at the tail end of the live chat last night.
Thanks again to everyone who reads the site and listens to the podcasts. One day, a long time from now, we hope look and think off 2008 as the year when iTricks began to transform from a site to a community. It means a lot to all of us.
But if iTricks is a kingdom, then there is only one sovereign ruler whose will defines reality. That man is Andrew Mayne. So if you enjoyed iTricks this year and hope to enjoy it again next year, remember that it all happens because of Mayne. In his own way, he is the king. Hail to the king, baby.
We would like to thank everyone who came out to the iTricks Trick of the Year Final Four Fight to the Death Live Chat last night. We interviewed finalists Wayne Houchin and Rich Ferguson, the latter rode his momentum past Richard Sanders’ Extreme Burn to the promised land. For those meticulous record keepers who didn’t make it, here is how it went down…
#1 Tagged def. #4 Branded via tie break viewer vote
#3 Extreme Burn def. #2 Thread via tie break viewer vote
#1 Tagged def. #3 Extreme Burn via free for all viewer vote
Thanks to our judges: John Sturk, Bizzaro, Mike Giusti and Eric DeCamps. Also, all of the guests who stopped by including Justin Miller, Andrew Mayne and Brian Brushwood.
Thanks to Sinful from the theory11 forums for all the screen grabs.
As FOX counts down the waning moments of 2008 from the Las Vegas Strip, they will also take a peak behind the curtain of three Cirque du Soleil shows including Criss Angel’s Believe. At least the Loyals now know which channel they’ll be tuned into.
In other random Criss Angel news:
• Holly Madison’s rep denies that the former Playmate was shopping for a wedding ring with the Mindfreak. The couple plan to ring in 2009 by getting a hotel room on the Strip and partying. As opposed to the other nights of the year when they party and then go to the hotel room that Criss lives in at the Luxor.
With only hours until the big Live Chat, here are your Final Four contestants. High seeds will face off against low seeds with judges deciding the early round and YOU the viewers acting as tie breakers in the championship should one be required. Who’s excited?!?!?!? Wooooo!
1. Tagged by Rich Ferguson
2. Thread by Wayne Houchin
3. Extreme Burn by Richard Sanders
4. Branded by Tim Trono
Remember, we are going to put the Final Four in the Live Chat steel cage TONIGHT at 9 p.m. EST right here on iTricks. By the time we’re done with 2008, it’ll be lucky to survive the next day.
The iTricks New Tricks Bulletin is compiled by Eddy Ray. Send any listings for your new effects to NewMagic@iTricks.com for inclusion. Remember to check our New Magic section for a constantly updated list of new products
This weeks new magic review features a performance At The Table thanks to Fun Inc.’s own Tomas Medina. You’ll also witness a blazing Inferno with the hot new Inferno Cards plus Devin Knight sits down for a game of chess with his new release, Chess Gambit. All of this and more, let’s dig into it!
At The Table DVD By Tomas Medina:
The newest DVD release from FUN Incorporated features our resident magic geek, Tomas Medina, presenting a set of impromptu magic for the magic MacGyver. Learn how to create stunning impromptu miracles using items commonly found in a bar or restaurant to the astonishment of your friends!
Availability: All Major Dealers
Price: $15
101108 Lecture Notes By Marc Spelmann:
Written exclusively for his 2 hour lecture in Las Vegas, Marc Spelmann has held nothing back in this limited edition booklet. With eight previously unpublished routines and principles from a super easy but highly effect chair test through to a book test principle that astonished everyone who saw it live in Vegas.
Availability: All Major Dealers
Price: $25
Chess Gambit By Devin Knight And Al Mann:
The effect reads totally impossible, yet it is accurate in every regard. One of the most unique and baffling magical effects on stage today. Direct from Devin Knight’s own stage show and a limited release, this is based on a little known idea that Al Mann shared with Devin.
Availability: All Major Dealers
Price: $150
Inferno Card:
There has never been a card revelation quite as flashy as this one! After failing to find a selected, signed card, the magician places the deck face up on the table, and ignites the top card. In a flash of fire, the signed selection is revealed – with burn marks to prove it! Your spectators will hold on to this keepsake for a long time after seeing your performance.
Availability: All Major Dealers
Price:$20
The iTricks New Tricks Bulletin is compiled by Eddy Ray. Send any listings for your new effects to NewMagic@iTricks.com for inclusion. Remember to check our New Magic section for a constantly updated list of new products
This is a repost of a repost, but it’s still pretty amusing. Here is Videogum’s list of ironic ways for David Blaine to shuffle off this mortal coil.
* In a car accident leaving the set of Oprah
* Somehow falling onto the top of a pillar in a freak accident and being unable to remain atop it for the 36 hours it takes for help to arrive.
* Drowning in his own bathtub
* Bunny rabbit allergy attack
* Falling through the ice while ice skating and being unable to hold his breath for the 17 minutes it takes for help to arrive.
* MRSA-infected paper cut sustained during card trick
* Bored to death watching himself on Oprah
* Murdered by Stedman
* Morbid obesity
* Old age
