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I have noticed that in our modern age of magic, performing Houdini style stunts have become sort of like a tradition or test of skill for all major artists. Most to all comercial performers have at one point tried to do a Death Defying stunt for either television or for a live audiance. What makes it so special, is that they are not nessisarily performing magic, but rather trying to make a statement - If you have the determination to risk your life for an art you love, then you are truly a practioner of your art. I respect magicians so much more when they love the art this much. Sometimes the stunt is a test of Physical Endurence, sometimes an amazing Escape from certain death, or even sometimes simly a Life or Death test of faith.

Below I have organized a series of many of the "Stunts" that famous Illusionists have done over the last few years. Please post more if you know any.

I do respect Illusionists much more when they are willing to risk their lives for the art. It has almost become a tradition that all major performers at one point or another will try their own Houdini style test of the physical stength (whetherr it be a test of Endurence, Escape, or Life or Death situation).

David Copperfield
1) Houdini Water Torture Cell
2) Niagra Falls Challenge
3) Explosive Encounter
4) Flames of Passion
5) Tornado of Fire

Lance Burton
1) Desperado Roller Coaster Challenge

Derren Brown
1) Russian Roulette

David Blaine
1) Premature Burial
2) Frozen In Time
3) Vertigo
4) Above The Below
5) Drowned Alive

Banachek
1) Buried Alive

Criss Angel
1) 6 Minute Body Suspension
2) Submerged
3) Staightjacket Escape
4) Burned Alive
5) Wine Barrel Escape
6) SUV Nail Bed
7) Helichopter Suicide Body Suspension
Buried Alive
9) Tesla Coil
10) Oasis
11) C4 Explosion
12) Bullet Catch
13) Russian Roulette
14) Steve Baker Easy Rider Escape
15) Staightjacket Keelhaul
16) Shark Cage Escape

Yes please add to my list. I know it is still quite small.

Derren Brown: The Seance

If I remember correctly, it had the most complaints of any UK TV show ever.

Still, funny yeah?

If I remember correctly, it had the most complaints of any UK TV show ever.

It doesn't take much to top the 'most complaints' chart

Jerry Springer the Opera (15,000+)
Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ (1,554)
Brass Eye paedophilia episode (992)
Derren Brown 'Seance' (244)
Derren Brown 'Russian Roulette' (16)

Religious issues aside, complaints are usually over ridiculously trivial things.

Hollyoakes (1)
Caffrey's beer pump identity plate was featured prominently on the top of the bar for nearly 40 seconds, and had the appearance of being spotlit.

This Morning (13)
Conversation about sex lives of couples with a relationship experts featured 'maritial aids' which were displayed on a coffeetable.

The Bill (170)
Two men were shown kissing before 9pm and children might have been watching.

Richard and Judy (13)
Sexual positions for people suitable for arthritis suffers were demonstrated (by people wearing tracksuits).

Des O'Connor Christmas Special
Julian Clary gives Des a present of an S&M harness which claims he bought from a 'gay shop'.

Tomo wrote:Derren Brown: The Seance If I remember correctly, it had the most complaints of any UK TV show ever.

The amusing aspects were that most of the complaints came before the show and many were from 'extreme' religious groups who, as Derren observed, must have the gift of seeing into the future as the programme and it's content were still virtually unknown. The other observation he makes is that significantly less people complained about the Russian Roulette show which proved that people thought it appallingly wrong if he seemed to mess with the spirit world but didn't give a hoot if he blew his head off!

they examined a guys testicles live on this morning once and did a smear test on a woman another time and Britney Spears forgot to wear a bra to a disney kids awards and it was blatently obvious

David Blaine is attempting a new stunt. Trying to escape from a gyro (and supposedly get to Target .) I actually saw this advertising for a TARGET COMMERCIAL (for those of you not in the US, Target is a one-stop shopping store.

Here's some more info:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15833930

your leaving out many other people.

Santini; Dark Master of Escapes

numerous other EA's i cant think of this moment at night.

me. no seriously i have done a couple.

and i many more, but its one in the morning and i am slightly drunk.

copyright wrote:It doesn't take much to top the 'most complaints' chart

Indeed. One of my vicarious pleasures is the Ofcom adjudication pages. It's interesting to see how many complaints are of the format "because X might Y", but have any of the complainants ever asked X if these things make them want to Y?

And why was Mary Whitehouse still a paragon of virtue after years of watching all that "filth"?

This isn't so modern but I KNOW you guys will find this interesting:

Annemann himself catches a bullet in his mouth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OehGgeNLqZg

in 13 Steps, there was also a description of the Amazing Fogel catching five bullets in his teeth.