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Let’s Make a List of the Best TV Magic Tricks of All Time

David Copperfield flying.png

Hey, here is an idea.

Let’s use the vast knowledge of all you fine folks to compile an awesome list of the best magic television has had to offer. Old or new, nominate your favorite clip in the comments.

So go ahead. Post your faves. I am going to take an easy one off the table. My nomination, David Copperfield’s Flying.

Posted by Editor on Saturday, August 11th, 2012 at 4:08 pm.

  • http://www.andrewmayne.com Andrew Mayne

    Copperfield vanishing the Statue of Liberty is still my favorite.

  • Diamondcutmagic

    Copperfiled Flying is what got me into magic….

    Derren Brown doing Russian Roulette on LIVE TV still gives me chills…

    Finally, Barry & Stuart Raising the Dead!

  • HAL

    Couldn’t agree more – Nothing even comes close to ‘Flying’. 2nd choice is ‘Portal’, which I saw live. Glad to see DC finally declared the “King”. We had a self acclaimed imposter for a while,  but I think he’s now old forgotten news.

  • Anonymous

    Of course DC Money will take majority of the votes here but to toss a random on the list I remember watching Pendragons do sub trunk on WGM1 and replaying it over and over and although it may not be one of the best magic tricks on tv by many standards it was one of the few magic tricks on TV I saw as a kid that had a moment. A moment that further solidified my career choice even tho I was maybe 10 years old.

    DC doing card thru window on orient express special was one and DC doing floating rose in the middle of the audience with a shirt tucked into tight jeans too are others

  • HAL

     Pendragons making 25 Showgirls disappear was another good one.

    I think Snow White will vote for the ‘Disappearing tooth pick’.

  • http://www.facebook.com/smappdooda Bizzaro Galore

    To me this routine is proper magic – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pye57C_GHR0

  • Eric DeCamps

    Tie for # 1.
     David Copperfield’s, “Flying” and Rene LeVand’s, “Can Not Be Done Any Slower” (his Oil & Water Routine). Everything else can fight it out for second place.

  • http://www.magicjluc.com/ Jluc

    For me it is definitely Richard Valentine Pitchford, more known as Cardini, and his TV act on the Festival of Magic. He was the master of misdirection and perfection.

  • Mjlauckwriting

    Harry Anderson, Needle Through Arm on his Hello, Sucker special (now finally available on DVD). Gold, pure gold.

  • Snow

    Yes, I do kinda like that one, but only because I was taught that one when I was about 10. Works better with a match though, I think. But hmm, I’d have to think about what the best ‘tv’ magic would be. Probably one of Angels.

  • HAL

    One of Angels, I know you’re kidding. The toothpick is his best trick, and the only one he really does. Notice, none of the posters, including Justin and your husband haven’t chosen any CA farces. There hasn’t been any articles here about him for a long time, completely disappeared from the Top Ten list, can’t claim to be the King. Hopefully he rode into the sunset on Hammie.

  • HAL

    If you click at the end of this video, ‘Magic & Illusion’ lists their “10 Top tricks of all time”. 8 of the 10 are who else, Copperfield. Lance Burton sleight of hand #4, and P&T bullet catch #6 (IMO one of the best) They have ‘Portal’ #1 and ‘Flying’ #2.

  • Banester

    Portal-David Copperfield
    Water escape(water torture cell)-Doug Henning (liked his the best)
    Artist Dream-Pendragons & Copperfield
    Flying-Copperfield
    Coin Explosion-Cyril
    Card tricks-Bill Malone
    Barclay House-Copperfield
    Blue Room illusion-unknown who performed it on TV special
    Black Art routine-Omar Pasha

    -just to name a few

  • Snow

    My husband? Why…whomever could you possibly mean? ;) I’ve completely given up. Probably best to call him by name from now on. Thanks for helping with Operation Maynewash though lol. It was fun…although entirely ineffective.
    Okay, in taking tv magic to mean good magic on television and not edited magic, then here is my favorite. David Copperfield – Snow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsUVFC8ozUE&feature=fvsr