talkmagic.co.uk

by **Lord Freddie** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:14 pm

It certainly won't, but I suppose we'll have to wait and see what happens as there has been many bogus rape cases aimed at celebrities.

If he is convicted, I am sure that a lot of jealous magicians will relish his downfall.

Court cases aside, he has done a lot to bring magic into the public eye and like Blaine, laypeople love him which is why he's sucessful. Too many magicians are in it to entertain other magicians and out-do each other which is the equivalent of two heavy metal guitairsts trying to prove who can play scales the fastest.
It's pointless and only they care.

by **magicofthemind** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:29 am

Whatever crime he may or may not have committed is not relevant to the quality of his magic.

Barry

by **Mandrake** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:11 pm

Mark Lewis wrote:However it seems obvious to me from this thread that British magicians haven't heard the news concerning Copperfield otherwise someone on this thread would have commented upon it.

Mark is right, I don't think any of the details have been covered in the UK newscasts so, courtesy of Fox News, October 19th 2007 ( http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303546,00.html ):

A Seattle woman has made a rape claim against magician David Copperfield, law enforcement sources tell FOX News.

The woman told Seattle police the magician raped her while she was in the Bahamas, sources said. Because the alleged incident happened abroad and the woman did not report it until she returned to the United States, Seattle authorities turned over the case to the FBI.

On Thursday, FBI officials raided a Las Vegas warehouse used by Copperfield. Seattle FBI agent Robbie Burroughs said Thursday the case was related to one in Washington.

"The investigation is related to a Seattle case. The Seattle case is pending and that means we can't say anything about it," Burroughs said.

Copperfield has been contacted by law enforcement authorities and the FBI has conducted an investigation in Las Vegas, where the magician regularly performs, his lawyer and the FBI confirmed.

Copperfield's Las Vegas attorney, David Chesnoff, refused to give specifics about the charge. "If in fact those are the allegations, unfortunately false allegations are all too often made against famous individuals," Chesnoff said. "But we are confident the investigation will conclude favorably." He continued: "We are in touch with the investigators and are respecting the confidentiality of the investigation."

Copperfield has a warehouse in Las Vegas that he has dubbed the International Museum & Library of the Conjuring Arts. He apparently stores tricks and memorabilia from around the world at the warehouse.

"I can confirm that there's investigative activity at the warehouse," FBI special agent David Staretz, spokesman for the Las Vegas office, said. Staretz would not elaborate.

KLAS-TV reported that an FBI raid with 12 agents took place Wednesday at Copperfield's warehouse.

Copperfield, 51, has been a longtime performer at the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand casino-hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, where he has performed in six- to eight-week stints several times a year, said MGM Mirage Inc. spokeswoman Yvette Monet.

Monet said Copperfield performed two shows Wednesday night, which were at the end of his most recent run. Monet said Copperfield next was scheduled to perform in Jakarta, Indonesia.

by **Lord Freddie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:46 pm

There have been many cases like this in the past that have been false. Craig Charles, Paul Weller & David Bowie, to name but three celebrities who have had these kind of things thrown at them.

I'm not saying that Copperfield is innocent, but I reserve judgement until the trial, if there is one, is concluded, as I have seen this kind of thing so many times before.

by **mark lewis** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:18 pm

I have been hearing reports out of Las Vegas which I really don't like the sound of. Gossip perhaps but it sounds like informed gossip from people that would be in the know.

I have heard things that have not been mentioned in the media. If they are indeed true then my respect for David Copperfield has gone way down. I am not referring to his magic but to his qualities as a human being which is infinitely more important.

However Lord Freddie is right. We should wait until the facts come out. However I am fairly certain that at some point he is going to be charged. If so then I expect the news will even get to Britain concerning the matter.

by **Lord Freddie** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:26 pm

From what you're saying Rev, it doesn't sound too good. But remember, this is America where money can buy you anything, including your freedom.
Just ask OJ & MJ!

by **Tomo** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:46 pm

Allen Tipton wrote::D WHY OH WHY do LESSER magicians, usually RAW amateurs, insist on running down successful magicians, often in a vicious way.

Here here!

You should see some of the comments on certain private forums I'm a member of. Not just magic ones. There's one applied psychology email list I had to write a 2000 word thesis to get onto where any mention of Richard Wiseman is treated with a tirade of abuse, not because of his ideas, but seemingly just because he's gained a little recognition!

by **magikmax** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:37 am

Allen Tipton wrote:When I saw Copperfield, live, in a huge stadium in Sheffield a few years back, there was a standing ovation from a packed house of several thousands AND even magicians round me had tears in their eyes caused by the emotional presentation of his Snow effect.

completely agreed Allen, I saw Copperfield on the Glasgow leg of the same tour, and he was simply fantastic. A hugely charismatic, funny, entertaining and also emotive performer.

I get chills down my spine every time I watch Flying, I have no idea how it's done, I don't want to know, as for me, it's pure magic, and simply the finest, and most emotional effect I've ever seen.

If you try and compare a trick by Copperfield (and limit that to his close-up stuff if necessary), then one by David Blaine or Criss Angel, and you can see how infinitely better Copperfield is with his presentation.

For those who have recently joined us, I'm sure there was another thread on the whole Copperfield thing back when it first came to our attention, that ran quite long, but I think it closed down.

by **Lenoir** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:49 pm

Magic is a proffession where jealously is slightly different. In the music world, a amateur ainger may be jealous of Madonna but there what can you say?

A magician however may see David Blaines ACR and think JEEZ i know how he does it, and heck, i could probably add more to it!
A lot of jealousy spawns from seeing these "gullible spectators" handing over their cash and awe to someone for something you know to be a simple prop trick.

Every single magician who has become famous I have respect for. In fact, every magician who dedicates themselves to the art, famous or not is someone I look up too.

To me, spongeballs and Flying over the grandcanyon are the same thing. Just a different audience, and a 100000000x expense difference.

by **Lord Freddie** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:07 pm

Jealousy is a case of people thinking "I can do that!" but aren't prepared to put in the hard work these people have to get where they are.
Magicians like Copperfield and Daniels are often criticised, but they have got where they are by being highly skilled and what they are doing and most of all by being throughly entertaining to the general public.
As OTT as some of Copperfield's illusions are, he is a top class performer and know throughout the world. Speak to someone from Russia or India and they know him. Criss and Derren draw a blank.

by **dimabbq** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:24 am

I loved David Copperfield's performance for George Bush with the duck. It's very obvious but his showmanship is inspiring.

I also remember watching a hilarious clip where he predicted what was spray-painted on a wall. Again, he is a very entertaining person, ergo - a good magician in my book.

by **Flash** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:27 am

Good god!

Mr Copperfield is 51!!! Blimey, that's a magic trick in itself!

Any news on this case from the US of A?

by **mark lewis** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 3:49 am

It has gone very quiet. It seems that according to my source "It looks as if he has got away with it. A he-said, she-said thing and he has a very aggressive lawyer who seems to have shut the whole thing down"

I have a feeling that you won't be hearing any more but I could be wrong.