OK.. Davids special is over, and I feel an obligation to post a little something. Personally, I enjoyed the special. I think it accomplished exactly what it intended to accomplish.. pulled viewers to ABC during the sweeps.
I think David gave it his all, and no one should dis him for that. Whether you like him as a magician or not really doesn't matter.. it's all about the entertainment. That's what David has done since day one, put on a show that he felt was entertaining. There was never any attempt on David's part to prove that he was the country's foremost magician or sleight of hand artist. He had an idea, got some backing, made the first Street Magic with the help of friends, and then pitched it to the network executives.
They liked it.. and the rest is history.
What David has accomplished, he achieved on his own. No one picked him out of a line-up of magicians and decided to make him a star. And that's what the magic fraternity at large can't seem to deal with. They are extremely jealous of Mr. Blaine, and feel as if any number of other magicians would have been better suited to star in their own specials. Problem is... the 'other' magicians weren't willing to put their money where their talent is.
Now, as far a magic talent is concerned, David is probably a 6.5 out of 10. He handles a deck of cards fairly well, and has good timing.. abet an unorthodox style. But all this is not about skill, it's about 'entertainment'. And David entertains a large enough segment of the population that his specials are deemed worthy by those who have the power to make those type of decisions.
There you go.. Any questions?
If you don't like him.. fine. That's your perogative. Don't watch.
As for this special.. I wish that there had been a few more magic effects. I thought surely with this one running two hours there would be a good deal of magic. I really enjoyed the 'tooth effect' in the casino. A friend called me late last week and swore me to secrecy concerning this effect. The dentist that developed the effect lives in Ohio and is friends with a magician friend of mine, and he was asked to assist David with the effect. I was looking for the effect, even though I didn't know what was going to happen...
I think the basic premise of the special, testing the limits of endurance under water, were carried out with a great deal of professionalism. David never appeared to be trying to accomplish anything other than holding his breath for nine minutes... although I didn't understand the purpose of the chains in the middle of a serious stunt..
All in all, I would give this special a "B", which is more than I would have anticipated giving it. I hope each of you found some enjoyment in the special as well..
---------------
Side note.. Ellusionist is running a big time sale, with some items half- off for the next 48 hours, to take advantage of the extra traffic... Check it out..
http://301url.com/ellusionist
Partner Video Blog for the Magic Roadshow Journal of Magic
2 comments:
Now, as far a magic talent is concerned, David is probably a 6.5 out of 10.
I disagree completely. On a magical talent scale of 1-10, Blaine's a 15. Everything you see him do is deliberate. His performance is precise and considered. And he and his team have figured out how to create shock and awe better than any other magician, ever. That's why he's a global superstar.
Blaine openly and with true humility admits that he stands on the shoulders of giants. But he has taken magic to a whole new level; I believe Blaine is the greatest magician in history.
He has many students, and one day one of them might pass him. Maybe.
But right now he has no peers. None.
Let me explain my thinking.. I'm actually talking about technical skill and not entertainment value. I can perform almost anything I've seen David perform, talent-wise. And I consider myself 'maybe' 6 of 10. David may be capable of handling a deck of cards like Martin Nash, but he's never showed it. That's what I mean by technical skill.
I agree that David's 'performance' values are exceedingly high.
Quick example.. Michael Finney. Michael performs six tricks, and he performs them skilfully, although I'm sure there are a number of magicians who could perform them with equal or greater skill. But...
It's the response Michael gets that sets him apart from other magicians. Pure entertainment..
David does the same.
I've spent the last couple of days defending David on the Cafe and other places. Like you, I love his work and thinking. You get it, I get it.. a lot of others don't.
Besides, David puts money in my pocket every time he performs, and for that, I am grateful !
Later pal..
Post a Comment