Masters of Illusion

Finally got a chance to watch the couple episodes of Masters of Illusion that I had recorded. Rather, I made myself have a chance because the DVR is getting full and I need space to record UFC this weekend since I have to work.

Before I get into what I thought, I want to say how cool it is that there's so much magic on television now. I've got AGT (which is not strictly magic, but still features a lot), Masters of Illusion, Fool Us, and Don't Blink recording right now. I have a recording set for Troy: Street Magic whenever it airs, and Brain Games (another that's not strictly magic, but still features a lot of magicians). I know I'm missing out on other shows like Wizard Wars and The Carbonaro Effect, both of which I've seen and loved, I just don't watch regularly mostly due to time and DVR space. I'm sure there's more out there that I can't think of at the moment.

My point is that there's probably more magic on television now than ever before. When I was growing up I had a yearly-ish David Copperfield special and occasional World's Greatest Magic shows with Mac King's School of Magic. Then David Blaine came around, and the Masked Magician specials (which I will admit to watching, more because I just wanted to see magic and less that I gave a rat's ass about how things were done). But even those were yearly, at best. Magic back then was rare and occasional, and I love that it's becoming more mainstream and popular. I am a pretty firm believer (I think, I'm sure if I write in depth about it I'll change my mind three times) that there's no such thing as bad press, even bad magic is good in the grand scheme of things, etc. etc.

I'm going way off my planned topic. TL;DR: There's a shitload of magic on TV now, and I love it.

I have very limited knowledge of stage magic and illusions, so a show like Masters of Illusion is not something I sit down and try to critique, it's more something that I just enjoy watching. To be fair, that's pretty much what I try to do with all magic shows since who the hell am I to be playing critic? They're the ones on TV, I'm just an asshole with an opinion sitting in my living room.

I love watching all magic and Masters of Illusion is no different. I'm not the biggest fan of magic boxes, and the prancing and dancing with assistants is something I don't think I could personally do without cringing so hard I implode. So, obviously, some of the acts aren't going to be my cup of tea but I still find them cool to watch.

Some of the highlights of the first couple episodes were Barry and Stuart doing what appears to be a handling of Andy Nyman's Diceman that I really enjoyed and Murray Sawchuck with a vanishing watch to impossible location routine. This is the second time I've seen something end up in a sealed can of food (Piff's appearance on AGT being the other) and I'm kinda digging it. I would like to try to find out more about how to do that. I think the loading of both items seems kind of awkward to me, but I still don't get how it goes in. I know "something" is being done and I'm pretty sure I can spot when, but it still gets me.

From the second episode, I liked Ed Alonzo's act. The guy doing the CD manipulation was very technically skilled, but I felt like it was too obviously carefully concealing things and loading and whatnot. Felt more like juggling than magic. Nathan Phan was very entertaining to me, and I think a prime example of not needing the biggest, newest thing to be good. The props don't make the magician.

Keeping in mind I know very little about stage illusions, I have to say I would like a trick like Greg Gleason's more if he didn't have to randomly put on sunglasses to do it. I think that should be a rule for magicians: If you need to do something to alter your appearance for the trick to work, don't do the trick. I think the exception to that is dressing like an assistant to slip offstage. If you suddenly need to put on a mask or a hooded cape, everybody out there is thinking "That's not him anymore." I guarantee it.

I can't put my finger on why, but I feel bad that Dean Cain is hosting this show. Regardless, Masters of Illusion is a fun watch. It can be cheesy, not everything is great, but I really like watching magic and I think this is a great way to see bits and pieces of a lot of acts I might otherwise miss. I don't know if this is a review or a critique or what. I guess just the ramblings of an idiot watching magic tapes. But you know what? I'm gonna keep doing it.

- Andster