Hi, gang --

Last week I had a gig in a small club. I did my usual set -- some card guessing, spoon bending, a blindfold routine, and a 3-envelope test. Maybe not the most thrillingly original set, but it works for me and the audience.

A couple of days later, a few people who were at the show posted some comments on a blog. One comments on the guy in the black sweatshirt, sitting in back and feeding me information, and another refers to my hidden radio earpiece, and how he wishes he didn't know that's how it all worked.

Well, needless to say, if there was a guy in a black sweatshirt sitting in back, he wasn't with me, and I don't have any hidden radio earpiece. But of course these folks seem convinced that they have found me out! It's a weird kind of funny, and part of me isn't sure what to make of this at all.

I'm sure this is not a unique experience. I was just wondering what kinds of episodes others have had along these lines; I'm sure there must be some really great anecdotes out there!

Let's hear 'em!

With all good thoughts,

Rory

Rory
The Piddingtons reveled in the controversy that they encountered. It fueled(SP) their show. Each new show defied the accusations about the one before.
Sounds like that would work for you.....?????
Dave

Good point, Slim. Thanks.

So, what's the weirdest "explanation" you ever got for something you did?

R

I've been accused of using hidden cameras and mirrors in IMPOSSIBLE situations. And this is while I'm performing street magic!

Why not read the blog at your next show, and then show the audience why that couldn't be true.

I'm already planning to do just that -- and bring a little flashlight and let them check out my ears. Could get a few minutes of amusing business out of it.

R

Rory, this happens one-on-one too. For example, last week I did an invisible deck trick on a relative of mine, & he refused to be impressed claiming it was obvious I was merely funneling the information through the carpet.

We'll all really have to worry though, when our audience refuses to be impressed stating - "It was obvious - you were merely reading my mind."

Pasq.

Alas some audiences will not except they cannot find the solution, I remeber being asked if I knew how David C vanished the statue of liberty to which I responded pretty much. The spectator asked how? I said It is not for me to say, besides it would ruin what was a great illusion even if you saw it live.

Thinking that would close the debate the spectator then said you say that because you don't know..

I smiled and didn't take his pathetic bate.

I have had people say that when I do my blindfold routine that someoen in the room is telling me everything via YOU guessed it an ear piece..

I think of late some psychic busting shows on tv have mentioned ear pieces and thus we are tarred with the easiest explanation from their stand point, I agree with the chap who said bring this up at your next performance and get rid of that thought once and for all.

A.R.

I had a woman that was sure I had a special chemical on my hands. She would not take no for an answer until she sniffed and then licked my hand... Come to think of it, she just may have been kinky.... I feel so used!

Andrew,

You may want to ask yourself why you told the guy in the first place that you "pretty much" knew how it was done. I ALWAYS tell people I don't know how it is done, and I don't know if it even CAN be done, when I watch another magician.

In other words Andrew, perhaps you already took the bait when you allowed the person to bring you into a conversation about method in the first place. By saying you know how it was done, you kind of fell into the spectator's unconscious trap of getting you to acknowledge that a method exists and is known by other magi. That makes him feel more comfortable, but I really think it does a disservice to the art.

I did a back to back picture duplication. The girl swore that I felt what she was writing with the muscles in my back.. No ****!

I did Osterlind's Corinda Effect with BCS for some friends and one of my music teachers. My teacher sat on the left of the spectator who did all the work. This teacher also examined the deck of cards after the effect. And still, one week later he told me he knew how it was done. It must have been a deck of double-facers...

Daniel