talkmagic.co.uk

The format, isn't perfect, but it will evolve, & eventually (Like Fashion) it will probably turn full circle, & come back to the way we would prefer (Where it's more about the "Magic" than the "Celebrities".) For the time being however, this "Vehicle" is at least getting Magic onto the T.V. screens & 5 Million viewers tuned in to watch! so the interest is there, (either in the "Celebrities" appearing, or the Magic being showcased, or MAYBE the combination of the two). So like it or hate it, I think it has to be a positive thing for Magic in general. I am sure that many kids watching, would love to have a Magician appear at the their party for instance (instead of a bouncy castle, or nothing at all!). So if only a few bookings are garnered here & there, it has to be a good & positive thing. I very much doubt that any Professional bookings would be cancelled because of the show!

I also think that there were probably a lot of nerves around, seeing as it was the first in the series, plus it was "Live" in many parts. Everyone connected with the show, would well be aware that they are up for critique.

A couple of "Guest Acts" was a GREAT addition to the current programme, as was the new presenter, who will surely find his feet..............

Overall I give it the "Thumbs Up"...............

All good wishes

Mike Danata

Lee Smith wrote:I have always loved Jasons Laser illusion. Since I saw it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3M9aA0HfGo" target="_blank

Highlight of the show for me.

Yeah, and his celeb is a dancer, so the whole routine was really slick. A clear winner!

TonyB wrote:And Freddie, it is not sour grapes. I grew up with the Paul Daniels shows, so I guess I just expect something better when it comes to magic on television.

Absolutely. The show was just plain bad. Underrehearsed, bad magic, and bad d list celebs who cannot do magic. Add in the "presenter" who is not even good enough for QVC and you get a car crash magic show.

However, it got good ratings.

So hurrah there is magic on primetime, but boo as it is doing nothing to elevate our art.

Not sour grapes because I wasn't on it. Just a criticism, with reasons behind that criticism.

I wonder if Freddie thought card to sausage was a good effect? Or if the auto cue reading was good? Or the pauses in the cuts, or latimer needing help with his flipper etc.

It was just a bad tv show. That happened to feature magic. But, and this is one thing that counts, it got good ratings.

So should we all start performing dealer items and forget about sleights? Should we hook up with d list celebs to get noticed? Should we all be macdonalds rather than fillet mignon?

of course, its interesting to note that all the Live bits, are the bits that people are picking holes in.
Things go wrong all the time when you perform magic for real live people. They dont notice those things most of the time, because other stuff is going on.

All this show needs, is an Ali Bongo, or a pat page, or a paul Daniels, who know both sides of the camera, and can call the shots..... Then you wouldnt see the mistakes.

( an example being the torn quater of playing card.... after the lady tore it into 8 !)

On a picky magician technical pov...I still see too many steps and mirrors being used. It's an easy option i know...
But Sharpe's books are full of different methods.

danata wrote:The format, isn't perfect, but it will evolve, & eventually (Like Fashion) it will probably turn full circle, & come back to the way we would prefer (Where it's more about the "Magic" than the "Celebrities".)

Sadly I think you are wrong. The format with the celebs and the phone in etc is what sold it to the beeb, when you listen to R Paul Wilson's interview about it last year on the magic newswire.

The format is what has been already sold to other territories.

The format is what is getting the viewers and making money.

Elevating the art of magic? No.

Putting on a magic show magicians want to watch? no.

Making bank for the production company? Certainly.

I think it is that dichotomy between making beautiful art you know is superb, or painting someone's walls magnolia because they asked for that. Gots to pay the bills I guess.

I thought it was ok but i always thought Pete Firman and Keith Duffy would do the forfeit as they did kind of click as a partnership, so therefore would be more entertaining.

After all, they would never let the two youngsters do it and that woman didnt seem to have much personality.

Live shows are always problematic but, by and large, it went well enough for a first show. Those who recorded Barry & Stuart's card trick and view it in slow motion will spot a bit of 'duplication' but the specs won't have noticed it.

The crate and bus routine was spoiled by the camera cutting away too often. The guy could easily have been let out by a crew member and we wouldn't have seen it! The big ball with Keith and the washing took up far too much screen time for such a downbeat reveal, the two kids from Outnumbered were just plain irritating but, there again, I can't stand Outnumbered! The B&S version of Things which go bump in the Night was OK but they’ve done far better stuff on lesser programmes. Overall I thought Pete Firman gave the most entertaining performance with Barry and Stuart close behind and I can only hope the rest of the series includes more sparkling magic to redress the balance. As for the ‘presenter’…. No, he just won’t do. No character, no charisma and very little enthusiasm by the look and sound of it. Lenny was waaaay OTT but at least he knew about how to fill the screen when he’s on camera.

molesworth wrote:Elevating the art of magic? No.

Putting on a magic show magicians want to watch? no.

Making bank for the production company? Certainly.

I think it is that dichotomy between making beautiful art you know is superb, or painting someone's walls magnolia because they asked for that. Gots to pay the bills I guess.

Putting on a magic show that magicians want to watch would be totally pointless for a TV company. Apart from the fact that it's a tiny audience, it would be extremely dull. They've put on a magic show that the public want to watch (check the figures). Which is more than anyone else had done for a while.

Magicians really don't like seeing magic on TV. The pros don't mind, they know it'll be more business for them. The amateurs (not using the word in a derogatory sense, I'm one too) seem to hate it. I think it's because a lot of people are attracted to magic because it's a bit weird and alternative. Anything that makes it more mainstream is going to be disliked. Go to a martial arts forum when a new movie comes out that makes people want to do martial arts, it's exactly the same (especially the less mainstream ones, kendo, iaido etc).
What could be worse than everyone else liking the thing you do that makes you different...
[EDIT: not addressing the poster I quoted, just a general comment]

I quite enjoy seeing any magic on TV. The show definitely had some parts that didn't go so well (Mandrake summed it up quite well) but overall I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to next week's episode. I don't like all the votey stuff, but it's what the public like, and I can't expect the BBC to base their programming on my tastes...

The Paul Daniels Magic Show was something that magicians watched and appreciated. It was also a big hit with the public. It can be done.

TonyB wrote:The Paul Daniels Magic Show was something that magicians watched and appreciated.

So was the secret cabaret, stuff the white rabbit etc

What was interesting at The Session on Saturday was it was The Magicians was on the TV in the main bar, and no one was even looking over at it.

Also interesting that no one is even discussing this week's show.

I usually record the show for watching later on so haven't seen it yet - thus no comment so far!

theres nothing sinister about the lack of comment on this weeks show. Its simply down to the fact that it was ok.
Already i have noticed a huge change, from the first series. Not the change of format, or the change of magicians, or the change of presenter....
The change of material. With the exception of the huge outdoor stunts, most of the magic is either dealers items, or hired Illusions. The first series involved many expensive, purpose-built boxes, some of which didn't look great. Scott Penrose is supplying some lovely props for this one, that are more or less guaranteed to work .The Head Chopper from "the magicians" movie, and the Wind-shearer for example.
I think that this is a great idea. OK, we've seen some of them before, at conventions, and shows, but the vast majority of the viewing public wouldn't of seen them before.

daleshrimpton wrote:theres nothing sinister about the lack of comment on this weeks show.

I didn't say it was sinister. I said it was interesting. All magic forums always have pages and pages about a tv show, usually about 5 minutes after it was on.

It's 3 days and not a single comment is interesting.

As was sitting at The Session with it on and no one even looking at the screen.

Still not a comment?

Magic Bunny has a few people bitching about an effect that used stooges.

That sucks. Dynamo and Angel and now the Beeb relying on stooges and paid actors instead of, what's the word, oh yes, talent.

Sad day for magic imho.

Oh do stop being such a cheerful holey moley!