talkmagic.co.uk

I was going to add this to Craig Browning's thread but that one has taken a predictable turn, so I think a separate thread about the show is justified.

As an exiled Brit, I saw 'Phenomenon' tonight, having recorded it last night. My impressions were...

1. Why on earth is ex 'Blue Peter' himbo Tim Vincent presenting it?? Cat Deeley was recently presenting some reality show or other over here too; is there a concerted effort back home in Britain to foist all our most talentless TV presenters onto the American networks? Not a bad plan, I suppose.

2. It really is jarring how the show shifts from presenting the contestants as people with weird powers on the one hand, to tacitly acknowledging on the other hand the truth that its all just tricks and an 'act' . This is really accented each time Angel and Geller make their judgements of each act. Angel dissects the performances and 'tricks' somewhat. Geller acts (unconvincingly) like he is mindblown by the possibly real paranormal powers he has just witnessed.

3. Angel calling PK Touches by name really did astound me. Perhaps he just hadn't expected someone to come on and use his mate's routine, I really don't know what to make of it. Bad form no matter what side of the (alleged) magic/mentalism divide you are on.

4. It was amusing to see performing styles ranging from intense goateed 'I face death' guy with the alleged surname 'Raven', to cabaret-style guy from Nevada.

5. I suppose it must be hard for these mentalists to convey their full performing persona and atmosphere in a slot of about 5 minutes, and having to use Carmen Electra and the campest man on earth as their subjects.

6. Geller did an 'I will transmit one of these five ESP symbols to you' thing for us viewers at home. A rather pitiful 28% of respondents 'received' his choice (star) which apparently 'proved that America got Uri's message'. Predictably, the symbols on either end of the row got the least votes, while I mistakenly thought he was trying to 'transmit' circle because he kept making a circle with his fingers.


Overall, I enjoyed the show. But I don't think you're missing out on much back in Britain with this. If this is US TV mentalism, be grateful for our own Mr Brown.

Good observation, Mr. Black. Being from the States I can honestly say that the modern decline of magic, mentalism, and television have become sadly interwoven. When Criss Angel first started his Mindfreak show, I found him to be highly charismatic and the laypeople loved him. But, alas, fame has become its own demon for Mr. Angel and now it would seem that he is projecting it on others. I was unimpressed with the entire show, not just Criss, but the lack of showmanship on the performers part as well.

I think Criss was right in saying the name of PK Touches. He is standing by what he always has said. He wants to "debunk" the people that pass off magic as "powers". Every performer and Uri kept subtlely implying that what was happening was real. The show never mentions it's a magic show. Criss was just standing by what he believes in.