Hi, I'm intersted in this DVD. If anyone could post a brief review, it would be great. Thanks. ~Ryan

I haven't seen the new DVD with the bonus material, but I thought the video was pretty good. I does a good job of explaining some basic sponge ball moves that can be adapted to whatever kind of sponge you are working with. I personally don't use the earplugs included with the DVD. I still use my sponge bunnies, but I like the idea. I would probably use them over regular sponge balls.

The routines are about the same as any other sponge ball routine. Nothing too mind blowing. Don't get me wrong. I think sponge magic is the most powerful thing you can perform, but if you're a magician who has seen a thousand routines you won't find anything incredibly original.

I have the video and am not at all disappointed I got it, but I have others I like better.

OK, thanks for the advice.

I bought the video a while back and thought it was really good. It's a nice different idea from the red sponge balls, but not better. That's my 2 cents.

OK thanks. I want the product mostly for the instruction and now there are 5 bonus effects on there so I figure, what the heck...thanks again.

It was OK. I think sponge balls are easier to handle. His premis is that ear plugs make sense to the audience-they don't. Not any more than sponge balls.

Plus his routines aren't that strong.

Can you do all the stuff with the earplugs the same way with the regular sponge balls? Thanks. ~Ryan

I don't think so. They're a little stiffer and longer.
Nice idea, but I don't think you'll see too many magi doing it. I like the new Lady Bugs better.

What do you guys recommend for a good sponge ball routine?

Jay really doesn’t teach a routine per se on his tape. He does show you a routine that he uses with the earplug premise. However he does not teach the routine as a routine, move-for-move. He does teach all the moves needed to perform his routine but encourages you to build your own routine from the moves learnt.

The earplugs take a short while (a very short while!) to get accustomed to. They pose no more difficulty to use than a regular sponge ball. I believe that the earplug premise is inherently funny. And the props are comical to look at. They are a great addition for a comedy magician or a magician that is a little off center.

Do the earplugs look like earplugs? Well in color and shape maybe, but they are about 10 times larger. That makes them funny!

However, for good (no…great!) routines it is hard to beat the Patrick Page Sponge Ball tape. It teaches all the necessary moves and gives you several strong routines, including a very good Benson Bowl routine.

I only have the videotape format of the earplugs and haven’t seen the DVD version so I cannot address the “extra” stuff.

This is not a bad tape and you could do worse especially for a beginner. The moves all work with regular sponge balls. There are better tapes and routines out there.

I do like and use the props as they fit my weird sense of humor. However, I do use them in my own routine.

Thank you very much Harry for such a detailed answer. You make a new member feel very welcomed here!

Harry to the rescue!!! I agree, Pat Page's video is awesome and he teaches his own pet routine.

I think Jay had a good idea and put work into it, but I don't think it's worth getting. I sold mine.

Chris

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'll have Earplugs! on my Christmas wishlist.

As will I.

I bought them and never used them. It's still sponge balls for me.

Can I buy these without the dvd for cheaper? $35 is too much for me to pay for just the earplugs.