Justin Willman (Magic For Humans, Netflix) dropped by NBC’s Tonight Show last Friday just to teach Jimmy Fallon a little magic.
It is a holiday in the US honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, so we are taking the rest of the day off after we fill in you on all the magic news.
America’s Got Talent: The Champions airs a new episode tonight and magic with be represented by Britain’s Got Talent alum Ben Hart.
Speaking of America’s Got Talent, the first magician to ever win was, of course, Mat Franco.Las Vegas Fox 5 is reporting Mat has signed on for five more years headlining his show at The Linq.
The Society of American Magicians broke away from summer conventions and held their national gathering over the weekend in Las Vegas… haven’t seen any video yet but we are looking!
Finally, YouTube has announced new shows and specials on their subscription platform, including a special live event planned with David Blaine. There are not many details at all, but you can read what little is known over on the Deadline website.
That’s Trigg Watson above in a quick clip from back when IHOP threatened to change their name. You might remember him from Fool Us) but he is also a consultant on Magic For Humans and that is the focus on this D Magazine piece on him.
While most of the commentary surrounding America’s Got Talent: The Champions has been folks sad their favorite act did not advance or trashing Simon using Howie’s golden buzzer to advance a troupe of dancing storm troopers… but Cinema Blend is asking if Marc Spelmann advanced because of Shin Lim’s talent.
Oz Pearlman will be appearing on America’s Got Talent: The Champions on NBC tonight… but you can see his performance now since it is this week’s “official leak.”
Speaking of AGT, winner of the inaugural season of AGT:The ChampionsShin Lim sat down for an interview with WGBH radio; you can stream it for free on their website.
On Click2Houston you can see some of the magic props that were on the auction block over the weekend during the sale of the Frankel’s Costume Company magic collection.
WDIO coverage of Kelvin Saline’s anti-bullying magic shows kicks of our Video Friday.
AGT alum Aiden Sinclair has conducted his magical seances onboard the Queen Mary and at the Winchester Mystery House but now, according to the Estes Park Trail Gazette, he is bringing his spooky brand of magic to the Stanley Hotel… the reputedly haunted hotel which inspired the setting for The Shining.
The suburban Chicago newspaper The Daily Herald ran a piece yesterday on the College of Lake County’s magic and mentoring program which connects college students with students attending the area’s special education district. The mentoring system was inspired by Kevin Spencer’s Healing of Magic program.
Broadway World reportsBGT alum Ben Hart is heading out for a UK tour. British iTricksters can get the tour dates on Ben’s website. That is Ben above on the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. He also made an appearance on BGT: The Champions.
Sad news out of LA: Susan Palmer, wife of Johnny “Ace” Palmer, was killed in an accident with a teenage driver Wednesday night. The driver was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. The video coverage is from the CBS Los Angeles website.
In lighter, much less important news, America’s Got Talent: The Champions kicks off season two tonight on NBC. Although there are magic acts competing, not sure who will be on tonight. the Boston Globe interviewed Shin Lim about dealing with stardom. And Australia’s New Idea site is reporting Cosentino may be a contestant on the upcoming local version of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Finally, if you have ever wondered why Rob Anderson dropped off YouTube, he has returned to the platform after three years. You can check out his story here.
