Curtis Lovell II Takes on Blaine & EdwardInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

We heard from Curtis Lovell II. He wants to take on David Blaine and John Edward. So far neither magician has accepted his challenges but he's patient — he figures time is on his side.

We note there is no mention of Criss Angel or Quinlan's Inside Magic
three-year old offer for a Blaine versus Angel Magic Cage Match-Up.
There is mention of Paris Hilton, however. He cut her in half. Please
note, we are showing our maturity by not posing an infantile joke at
this point in the article.

We are very impressed he has worked with the great escape artist, Steve Baker a/k/a Mr. Escape. That speaks volumes for his street cred in our book. Mr. Baker is in the pantheon along with Dean Gunnarson and Mark Cannon.

Here's his challenge to Mr. Blaine and Mr. Edward.

——-

Failure seems to be a common misfortune for David Blaine these
days. Not only did Blaine fail his last stunt with the world
watching, but also he is continuing to ignore Curtis Lovell's multiple requests
for a duel face-off challenge.

Additionally, Lovell, an up-and-coming escape artist and
illusionist, is questioning the legitimacy of John Edward, the infamous psychic
who claims he can communicate with the dead.

Lovell, who appeared on the July 9th episode of The Simple
Life, has contacted Blaine
multiple times via certified mail and email.

Lovell initiated the challenge as a way of pushing the envelope
within the magic industry just like Houdini did in the early 1920's.

For the past several months, Lovell has been vocal about Blaine's lackluster
performances, beginner-level stunts and the way he manipulates the audience
while making a mockery of the magic industry.

Unfortunately, Blaine
has not responded to the duel challenge nor attempted to combat the allegations
Lovell has made towards him.

In addition, Lovell has set his sights on John Edward.

After reviewing his books and watching his television show
Crossing Over, Lovell is questioning Edward's psychic abilities.

According to Lovell, Edward is misleading readers, audience
members and television viewers by having them believe his purported psychic
abilities, including communicating with the dead and predicting future
events. Lovell proclaims that it is
extremely dangerous for those who deem Edward as a psychic expert because no
one should trust his antics, like communicating with deceased loved ones,
because it is all done through simple tricks.

Lovell even goes on to say that these types of tricks can cause
psychological damage to family members who believe in his work.

"Talking to the dead died out in the 1920's when the great
Houdini challenged the psychics and mediums to a $10,000 challenge. I want to bring back his legacy by
replicating the Houdini challenge with John Edward," Lovell stated with a
smile. "Anything that Edward claims to
be doing through supernatural abilities I can do using simple magic tricks –
and that is what I want to prove."

To explicate the challenge, Lovell contacted Edward for the
first time last week through a certified letter and email.

The duel challenges that Lovell has masterminded will be
presented with honor and integrity for all parties.

"If Blaine and Edward are as great as they claim to be, they
will have nothing to fear and should gladly accept my challenges," stated
Lovell. "Guys, please prove me wrong."

Furthermore, Lovell is working on a new television show. If Blaine and Edward accept Lovell's
challenges, both duels will be seen on the show. "I cannot discuss the television show in
great length since it is still in the development stages. I will say though, it is a wild show and if
you are in the public eye, you will not be safe from my challenges," said
Lovell.

Recently, Lovell started consulting with the world-renowned
escape artist Steve Baker. Known as "Mr.
Escape" and the "Modern Day King of Escapology," Baker was the premier escape
artist in the world from 1967 till the early 1990's.

He carved out his career by duplicating Houdini's famous
escapes and once he conquered them all, he started breaking new ground by
creating his own unique brand of escapes.

Through the years, Baker chalked up 32 hours worth of
television footage, including appearances on Dick Clark's LIVE Wednesday,
That's Incredible, The Tonight Show, Merv Griffin, The Alan Thicke Show, and
his own HBO special called "The World's Greatest Escapes" hosted by Tony
Curtis.

Baker, who holds the record for most television appearances by
an escape artist, will be the chief consultant for the stunts performed on
Curtis' upcoming television show.

For more information on Steve Baker, you can visit his website
at www.MrEscape.com.

Lovell fans can visit his website at www.magicofcurtis.com as well as at www.myspace.com/lovellvsblaine site,
which includes all of the details on the challenges and a message board for
fans to write their thoughts.

Lovell, who resides in the Los Angeles area, has mastered the art of
illusions and escapes and is a self-taught businessman.

Some of his more daring stunts include being lifted 50 feet in
the air above buildings, chained to two steel plates and then submerged into
oceans and rivers.

His greatest spectacle to date is the Cube of Death, a
dangerous stunt that lead to the demise of the great Harry Houdini in
1926.

Lovell can be seen cutting and dicing the world's most famous
heiress, Paris Hilton, in her television reality show, The Simple Life.

Additionally, he has just released his first instructional
magic DVD, Poof! You are a Magician.

We
heard from Curtis Lovell II. He wants to take on David Blaine and John
Edward. So far neither magician has accepted his challenges but he's
patient — he figures time is on his side.

We note there is no mention of Criss Angel or Quinlan's Inside Magic
three-year old offer for a Blaine versus Angel Magic Cage Match-Up.
There is mention of Paris Hilton, however. He cut her in half. Please
note, we are showing our maturity by not posing an infantile joke at
this point in the article.

We are very impressed he has worked with the great escape artist, Steve
Baker a/k/a Mr. Escape. That speaks volumes for his street cred in our
book. Mr. Baker is in the pantheon along with Dean Gunnarson and Mark
Cannon.