Mr. Rouven said Mr. Angel’s version of the escape differs from the film and more closely resembles Mr. Rouven’s version. In the film, a magician needs to escape falling swords. The version Mr. Rouven performs in his show at the Riviera has an audience member choose the order of the falling swords.
Mr. Angel denied the accusation flatly. “They’re in a glass house,” he said.
Mr. Weatherford reported that Mr. Angel alleged Mr. Rouven performs illusions without the inventor’s permission. The Rouven camp denied those charges.
“I go out of my way to get people’s permission,” Mr. Weatherford quoted Mr. Angel as saying. “I deal with this on a much larger level than any of these people. … Do you think I would really need to do something like that?”
Fast forward to Robin Leach’s Strip Scribbles column one week later.
We don’t blame Criss Angel for postponing his blindfold walk on two beams more than six-stories up.
Las Vegas winds are as unpredictable as Las Vegas wins. It is hard enough to walk along beams sixty feet above the pavement with a blindfold — but when you add “strong winds” to the mix, you are making it really risky.
We checked the OSHA standards and it appears it would be a violation for any employee (contract or full-time) to walk along a beam twenty meters over any surface (save marshmallows (see OSHA Reg. 223-0(a) re “Spongy Food Stuff Surfaces and Worker Safety”) and even then the regs require the marshmallows to be “fresh” and at least six feet in depth).
Magician Tony Spain announced he will be appearing in Las Vegas later next month.
He will bring his show of escapes, mentalism and kid show magic to one of the Strip’s show rooms.
He will send more details when he secures the financing for the theater.
He hopes to use the appearance to gain a foothold in the Las Vegas magic scene.
We will update this story as we learn more, probably.
Revisions: This article was revised to reflect the following changes to the original copy.
April 23, 2013 18:23 — Approximately 220 words referencing Mr. Spain’s prior shoplifting convictions and probation violations were deleted at the request of the magician’s agent/lawyer.
April 23, 2013 21:18 – Photo of Mr. Spain and former assistant, Rowina Shultz was removed in response to a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request from the Sears Photograph Studio in the Mystic Hollow Mall. The studio alleged in their takedown notice that they retained the copyright because the magician failed to pay the full amount owed and the image used was actually one of the proofs sent to the customer.
April 23, 2013 01:10 – Additional text – provided by Mr. Spain – was added describing his “skillful combination of the traditional Las Vegas elements of nearly nude showgirls and classic effects audiences will fondly recall from birthday party shows performed by kid show magicians like Hippity Hop Rabbits and Sucker Sliding Die Box.” Continue reading “Magician Tony Spain Might Appear in Vegas, Sometime”→
Robin Leach reports via his always fun to read Strip Scribbles that Inside Magic Favorite David Copperfield and the MGM Grand have agreed to a three-year contract extension. According to MGM’s president, Scott Sibella The Hollywood Theater might be renamed The David Copperfield Theater this fall.
The theater will be dark for a about a month this September to convert the space into a new configuration. Mr. Leach also reports Mr. Copperfield will have a new show with new illusions for the show’s re-opening just before Christmas.
It is the policy of Inside Magic to publish letters to the editor when necessary to fill gaps in our front page or when required by court order. Letters to the editor should be addressed to, ironically, editor@insidemagic.com. Inside Magic reserves the right to modify, shorten, lengthen or completely change the sent correspondence and, if necessary, include funny pictures to take away from the seriousness of same.
My Lordship:
Greetings in the name of our Lord, I am (Mrs) *** ******, a widow to Late ****, I am 34 years old, I am now a new religious convert … My late husband was killed with his business associate and during the period of our marriage we couldn’t produce any child.
My late husband was very wealthy and after his death, I inherited all his business and wealth. I now decided to divide part of this wealth, to contribute to the development of the church in Asia, Africa, America and Europe.
I selected your church after visiting the website and I prayed over it, I am willing to donate the sum of US$5,000 000.00 (Five Million US Dollars) to your Church for the development of your church and also for the less privileged.
Please, do not reply me if you have the intention of using this fund for personal use. Please If I reach you as I am hopeful I will, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable my LAWYER conclude the legal duty.
Also to be sent to me is the biodata page of your international passport or drivers licence as a proper identification.
You can reach me on my alternative email box easily: mrs.***@yahoo.com
I await your soonest reply as you could.
Inside Magic’s Reply:
Dear Mrs. *****:
Although we did not know your husband all that well – in fact, we barely remember him from our days in your home community but that is no doubt the regrettable effect of our weeks of hard work and tireless efforts to do noble things in that strange land he called home – we are happy to accept your offer of $5,000,000.00 for our yet to be formed Church. (We will start the forming as soon as your funds arrive, don’t you worry your little head about that).
We certainly agree that the funds should not be used for our personal vanities but dedicated exclusively to The Church of Inside Magic® and its dedicated staff of very pious clergy; with a special emphasis on improving the lives of those who would travel so far to worship at our yet to be built gold and ivory altar.
As you know, The Church of Inside Magic® emphasizes the inner-being and eschews those in this sad epoch who worship the outer, false entities. Consequently, you are no doubt aware we do not permit our clergy or the lay ministry to carry any form of identification including a drivers’ license (or licensce) and certainly would never allow our images to be captured for the purpose of recordation through the alleged “passport” system foisted upon the clueless masses as a means of emphasizing the outer, shell of humanness to the detriment of the inner soul of personness.
Pete Reveen aka “The Impossibilist” passed away Monday morning at his Las Vegas home.
He was far more than just an outstanding magician, international star, Vegas icon and manager of Master Magician Lance Burton.
We will remember him as a considerate gentleman who loved magic and was willing to give a boost and kind word to a work-a-day magic news source located in a fictional midwestern town.
We have been ignored by lesser magicians and their public relations folk and so when someone of Mr. Reveen’s status takes the time to pass along a kind word and unsolicited encouragement, we become fans for life.
He was a true gentleman who cared deeply about his craft and our art.
Lance Burton knew Mr. Reveen well and benefited from his counsel and friendship over the years. Mr. Reveen negotiated the Master Magician’s record-breaking contract with the Monte Carlo Hotel in Vegas.
Mr. Burton issued a short statement to the press Monday afternoon.
Peter Reveen was a giant in the world of magic. His illusion shows were lavish and innovative. As a stage hypnotist, he had no peer; he was simply the best in the business. As my manager for 20 years, he was my most trusted adviser. Reveen was my very close friend for 30 years. I am sad today. I will miss him.
Mr. Reveen leaves behind his four sons and his wife, Coral.
We join the prayers of his family and friends and mourn his passing.
Iron meets Copper. Participants in the Food Network’s Iron Chef will need to get past David Copperfield for a shot at being the next Iron Chef.
The new season premiers on Sunday at 9pm from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Our psychic skills (and the network’s press release) tells us the four remaining competitors will encounter Magician David Copperfield and face his “secret ingredient” challenge.
From the press release: “Copperfield magically produces an ingredient that the chefs must use as they tackle one of the Chairmans (sic) classic challenges from the past – the reinvention of the Las Vegas buffet. Copperfield conjures up the ‘secret’ ingredient that becomes the theme for a buffet that must transcend all expectations of the traditional Las Vegas chow fest.”
We are not able to discern the identity of the ‘secret ingredient’ via our advanced sixth sense or reading of the poorly proofread press release.
Maybe the secret ingredient is salt. We love salt and it serves as our secret ingredient in all meals. There are those who believe salt can lead to high blood pressure and kidney problems. We counter that an absence of salt is directly related to disgustingly bland food. If you are going to eat flavorless food, why eat at all. Surely starvation is worse than high blood pressure?
We also love MSG. In fact, our heart skips a beat every time we see that abbreviation — even if it is just short for “message.” If God had not created MSG, man would have been forced to invent it. We love the sweaty way we feel almost immediately after taking our first dose in soups or sauces. We relish the way our heart beats its funny, irregular rythmn and our skin becomes hot to the touch. That’s magic in our book.
Update: a Food Network representative has categorically denied Mr. Copperfield’s “secret ingredient” is either salt or MSG. She would not comment further.
There are two kinds of people in this world. But both kinds would feel likely feel sad watching blue people occupy the only "legitimate theatre" in Las Vegas and former home Master Magician Lance Burton.
Those who cherish magic for magic's sake would be dismayed to see the stage once graced by lovely assistants, ever-changing illusions and one of the finest magicians of our era replaced by non-magicians.
The other group of people would be those who didn't really care about Lance Burton and had hoped that his award-winning show would be scrapped in favor or anoxic-complected, bald men who hit things and acted surprised but hate the idea that such an avant guard show would appear in such a magnificent and decidedly un-trendy theatre.
We are of the first group and would hope to avoid those of the second.
The Blue Men parachuted onto the plaza outside the Monte Carlo hotel today to announce their presence with authority while not speaking. They don't talk. They are just blue and they do funny things. Kind of like big drunk Smurfs with shaved heads.
For those hoping to have a blue themed evening, $179.00 buys a three-course meal and tickets to their show. You can order from the special Blue Man Menu and even get après–theatre cocktails for that price. Considering the regular tickets are priced at $125.00, this is either a great deal or a way to sell really cheap food and watered down blue drinks.
The Blue Men are returning to the Monte Carlo from the Venetian Hotel and replacing the dance group The Jabbawockeez. The Jabbawockeez are temporarily performing down-under at the Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia awaiting their new theatre's construction at the Luxor.
Penn & Teller joined the select few included in the UNLV Entertainer & Artist Hall of Fame this weekend. Siegfried Fischbacher and Lance Burton attended, showing their support for the magic duo.
Former Nevada Lieutenant Governor, lounge singer and hall of fame member Lorraine Hunt-Bono presented the team their beautiful and pointy crystal trophies. Teller broke his silence to say "thanks" to the attendees.
I'd joked that 2012 was shaping up as the Year of Penn, given his ubiquitous-ness in the first 4 months of this year. Jillette even showed up at Marty Allen's 90th birthday party celebration at Palace Station on Saturday afternoon, joining a similarly odd collection of celebs and newsmakers onstage at Louie Anderson Theater that included Allen, Mayor Carolyn Goodman (presenting Allen with a key to the city), former mayor Oscar Goodman, Anderson and Allen's wife, Karon Kate Blackwell.
It does seem Penn is appearing in more places and garnering more television time. We have seen him on political talk shows, British stump the magician series and of course The Celebrity Apprentice. He survived last night's episode and thus continues his fund-raising for Opportunity Village, a Las Vegas foundation providing vocational training for our fellow citizens with intellectual disabilities.
"If I worked all the time I was on 'Celebrity Apprentice,' and gave all that money instead to Opportunity Village (laughs), they would do better," he says. "But I give them a lot of attention, no question about that, I have raised awareness. So you can't be too cynical about it."
Penn & Teller continue to entertain capacity crowds at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and offer the best magic per dollar spent in town.
Robin Leach describes Siegfried & Roy recently leaked news as "beyond magic — it's a Christmas miracle." The duo announced they will soon be celebrating "a very big step in Roy's extraordinary rehabilitation this holiday season."
The magical pair was on hand to support the local charity, Opportunity Village and host their annual party for friends and colleagues from their record-breaking magic show at the Mirage Casino and Resort and conservation project co-workers.
Mr. Leach reports the assembled cast, crew and staff greeted Siegfried & Roy with a standing ovation upon their arrival at the event. According to Mr. Leach, "Roy, who suffered severe blood loss, was said to have died three times on the operating table at the University Medical Center trauma unit here in his fight for life. He suffered partial paralysis and, at one point to relieve the pressure on his swollen brain, part of his skull was removed and protected in his stomach pouch. It was later reattached during his long-term recovery and rehabilitation at UCLA Medical Center."
Roy's recovery has been long and difficult but has apparently progressed to the point where he can ride a horse once again. Roy surprised Siegfried with the gift of two horses and his promise "that they'll be able to ride together at their Little Bavaria farm."
Siegfried told Mr. Leach he managed him to ride for 35 minutes this week – his first such activity since his injury. "In fact, we had to beg him to stop and get off so he wouldn't be sore," said one of the riding instructors helping with Roy's recovery workout program.
The development not only marks encouraging progress in Roy's physical therapy and rehabilitation, it also gives him the freedom to traverse the couple's ranch independent of his wheelchair or walking cane.
Las Vegas magician Jan Rouven charged fellow Las Vegas magician Criss Angel swiped his “Bed of Death” illusion for Mr. Angel’s new Spike television series, BeLIEve. Mike Weatherford detailed Mr. Rouven’s claims in May 17th Las Vegas Review Journal column.
Robin Leach describes 