After twenty one years on CBS, David Letterman has announced that he will be retiring in 2015. Although Letterman has not necessarily been a friend to magic. like his mentor Johnny Carson, he did have any amazing effect on late night talk shows. As we move towards his farewell, the looming question is, of course, who will take over his timeslot? Is Craig Ferguson, a confirmed magic fan, suitable for the earlier slot?
Magicians have known that Theory 11 and JJ Abrams (you know, the guy behind Lost, Cloverfield and a couple science fiction movies) have teamed up to offer The Mystery Box. What is it? A $150 locked box with something inside but no combination included inspired by a gift Abrams received from his grandfather. Now the mainstream is catching wind of it, thanks to coverage by sites such as Gizmodo.
Finally, magician Olly Day has hit a very cool milestone. The Norwich area (UK) kid show performer has just presented his 1,000th road safety show to elementary school students. Congratulations Olly! You can read more here.
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Posted by Michael on March 28th, 2014
As you may know, one of the earliest uses of the Internet was as a showcase for pictures of cats. Keeping up this tradition is Lil BUB, the flat faced cat that has taken the Internet by storm. On the most recent episode of BUB’s webseries, magician Dennis Watkins drops by to perform with the kitty.
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Derek DelGaudio is attached (as a producer) to a new Disney film that will cover the last century or so of the history of magic through the eyes of a magician. Keith Bunin is scripting the film and Justin Springer is the main producer. DelGuadio is currently an artist in residence at Disney Imagineering.
Finally, Dirk Arthur has begun a three month run at Harrah’s in Reno and has not found any new fans with PETA. According to KOLO News, they have targeted his act with a protest that features a caged young woman painted as a tiger… The KOLO coverage includes video of the tigress and comments from Arthur.
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Posted by Michael on March 7th, 2014
The New Haven Independent is reporting that New Haven Theater Company has found a new rome for the next year. What may be of interest to iTricks readers is that their first new play in the venue is about a burnt out magician and his manager. Appropriately titled The Magician, the article describes it as two drunks “locked in a battle of wits, self-esteem destruction, and who-can-say-it-faster-and-dirtier, and occasionally in a more poetic argot.”
Theatermania has weighed in with their review of Nothing On Earth (Can Hold Houdini). It is, to be honest, not the best review. The NY Times, however, seemed to see the play in a more positive light. Get tickets at Axis Theater’s website.
Jonathan Creek is back on BBC1; you can learn more at the Beeb’s official site (that is BBC, not Justin Beiber).
Finally, speaking of the BBC, BBC Radio Scotland’s The Culture Studio with Janice Forsyth discussed Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay with Ricky Jay. We would have embedded the show, but it is only a segment of a nearly two hour broadcast. However, you can listen on the BBC Radio Scotland website.
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Posted by Michael on March 3rd, 2014
Above is a highlight from Brian Brushwood’s Hacking The System on NatGeo. In case you missed it last week, both episodes are being rebroadcast Thursday (March 6) at 5PM Eastern.
Also on NatGeo Thursday you will be able to catch back to back episodes of Dynamo: Magician Impossible starting at 7PM Eastern.
Justin Willman will be on Chelsea Lately Wednesday night with guest host Khloe Kardashian (iTricks isn’t sure which one that is, by the way). The show airs at 11PM Eastern on the E! network.
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Posted by Editor on February 20th, 2014
Quick heads up that Justin Willman is taking a break from hosting Cupcake wars and taping a show for Comedy Central to ply his trade on the road. His Full Of It tour has begun with ecclectic singer/songwriter Bushwalla, check here for dates.
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Posted by Michael on January 31st, 2014
Doctor Who is no stranger to magic, but the recently unveiled costume of the newest incarnation of everyone’s favorite Time Lord (right) is drawing some unflattering comparisons to a magician. Although there has been favorable reaction among some fans to style adopted by new Who lead Peter Capaldi, EntertainmentWise.com reports there has been considerable backlash. One Twitter user quipped “He looks like a cheap magician,” a statement with which iTricks simply can not agree. If he had a vest or tie emblazoned with playing cards or rabbits in hats then he would look like a cheap magician… or a fanny pack with balloons hanging out of it. Still, another Doctor Who fan was floating the hashtag #abracapaldi.
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