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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I have just watched another so-called “professional” magician perform an effect that involved bringing a volunteer up on stage – and then embarrassing the volunteer by asking her to do things that couldn’t be done (such as trying to unlink two linked Chinese Rings, and so on). The magician also used a number of “snappy” comments that were supposed to be humorous, but were funny only at the expense of the volunteer, by making her look slow or stupid.
When you ask for a volunteer, unless you are Don Rickles, that person assumes that they are being asked to help out, and that they will not be taken advantage of or be made the butt of a joke. The main purpose of volunteers is to ENHANCE the magic by having them inspect and/or hold the equipment, or otherwise participate in the trick. By taking advantage of a volunteer, you may get a few cheap temporary laughs. But you also run the very real risk of alienating the rest of the audience –- not a good situation. In my humble opinion, embarrassing or making fun of a volunteer is not funny. With VERY few exceptions, I also think it is also extremely unprofessional. Unfortunately, it appears to be a magic “tradition” of sorts, and therefore seems to be generally accepted among magicians as being appropriate, especially if the assistant is a young child. But common sense should tell you otherwise. If you really want to generate some honest belly laughs, then turn these embarrassing situations on yourself, make yourself the butt of the joke, in the same way that Johnny Thompson (The Great Tomsoni) has done. If you can’t be funny without embarrassing someone else, then perhaps comedy magic isn’t for you. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
One of the greatest and highest paid comedians of all time did exactly that - he turned almost every joke, gag and bit on himself. he had an enormously long run in vaudeville, radio and on TV.
His name? Jack Benny. There was another guy who did much the same thing... what was his name...? Oh yeah! Bob Hope! Do I need to say more? You hit the nail right on the thumb, Seth. Bravo! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Audiences and volunteers talk. Embarrassed audiences get even!
Bob Magic By Sander |
asper Veteran user 364 Posts |
The Golden Rule is always golden. Just follow it and you won't run into any of these problems.
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Alewishus Inner circle parts unknown 1226 Posts |
Does the Golden rule apply to masochists?
I'm not trying to be funny, but it would be pretty neat if you had a sure fire way to pick these people as assistants, and could then treat them badly as you wanted without any guilt. A surefire laugh generator is an animal act, small animals, where the animals are dressed in human clothing! A.
Sack subs, ok Ross?
We miss you asper. |
Alewishus Inner circle parts unknown 1226 Posts |
I guess it doesn't make sense to say 'human clothing', does it?
You get the picture though - a small dog with a suit and hat! hahaha! What I don't like is when some one dresses up monkeys; to me that's simply offensive! I saw an ape once that smoked cigars - I was nearly sick to my stomache! A.
Sack subs, ok Ross?
We miss you asper. |
JohnWolf New user 90 Posts |
When I used Assistants from the audience I always threat them with respect. Try instead of the sucker gags using them in reverse. It is great fun when the assistant does a better effect then the Magician. And it makes for a light humor when they can't explain how they did the trick.
John |
fredmoore New user 72 Posts |
There are so many people that do treat their audience assistants poorly, and a handful that get away with it.
A street-performer by the name of The Butterflyman, is down-right mean to his audience and they love him for it! If you have the right personality and demeanor you CAN get away with it. The only problem is that MOST magicians are just going for the easy laugh. And it's always easier to insult someone else, then to actually sit down and write a funny routine! This is probably why magic as a profession is not that well respected. Just my 2 cents! |
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
...And with such a "macho" name like "Butterflyman" who's going to challenge this guy on the street?
Lyndel |
fredmoore New user 72 Posts |
The funny thing about it, Robert (aka Butterflyman) is the nicest guy in the world when he's "off".
Go figure! |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Hey Fred, have you been up here at the Windsor Buskerfest (across from Detroit)?
Butterflyman is a nice guy (even when you have issues with him)! He is actually an upstanding guy. |
ibm_usa Special user In Your Mind, Ky, USA 722 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-10-23 07:37, Lyndel wrote: Let me guess.......... Nobody would waste a single punch on someone with a name like that nor a attitude like that. people like that aren't even worth walking by.
"You may think that i only talk of things from the past, you know, history, well magic is history"
-Guy Jarrett "Curiosity isn't a sin Harry, but it should be exorcised with great caution." -Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) http://www.jordanallen-mentalist.webs.com/ |
Butterfly Man New user 21 Posts |
Well, let's see ... I've never been punched because of my name (either Robert Nelson or Butterfly Man)... however, it is true my attitude has gotten me into some trouble in the past (specifically at a bar in Brisbane in '88)...I do take umbrage sir with your belief that I'm not worth walking by ... I am so ... in my 30 some odd years as a street performer lots of people have walked by me ... lots.
I wonder how many have walked by you?
Magic isn't what it seems
It's found in thoughts and words and dreams |
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