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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Jason Randal was on The Late Show (with David Letterman) last night.
He did a variation of Fred, a book test, a poker deal, and a torn-and-restored-card-in-birthday-cake. The audience loved it, and David Letterman did as well. |
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Randwill Inner circle 1914 Posts |
I expected that folks around here would be underwhelmed with Jason's effects on Letterman last night. But he got the job done under incredible pressure. Pressure of the unblinking camera's eye. Pressure from Dave, who, while fairly genial last night, was still a bit of a pain.
For those who missed it and are curious; he started with Dave's selected card, being the only card in the blank-backed deck to have Dave's name on the back of it. Of course, as an out, he explains, he can show you that Dave's name is on the back on every card. And it is, as he shows. But not really. And all the cards are blank-backed again. A nice presentation for a Mental Photography type deck. He followed this with a Book Test. He divined Dave's randomly selected word. Next was a Poker Deal demonstration. He almost lost it on this one, accidentally hitting the tabled deck with his coat sleeve and nearly rearranging things. This is understandable as the angle he was sitting at in relation to the desk was a little awkward. It's also a good lesson. If such an odd situation is anticipated, one should rehearse in the exact same way. Fortunately everything stayed in order. It also played well into the climax of the effect which has the magician briefly doubting his success. Now you may say he planned the disruption of the deck, but it looked authentically accidental to me. He finished with a torn card to impossible location - a small cake. I hadn't seen anyone do such an effect wherein they allowed the spectator to tear the card into pieces themselves. I feel this is problematical, in that the spectator may recognize that the final torn piece is not a similar shape to the way they tore the card. Discuss. All pretty low risk stuff, but effective magic for laymen. On the other hand, it makes me wonder why we don't see more of the heavies doing more challenging stuff on television. I'll never forget Michael Ammar on Johnny Carson using IT to float a borrowed bill. That seems quite courageous by today's standards. I'm just sayin... |
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Randwill was exactly right. I was not impressed by the material selected. But I was very impressed with the way he handled himself and Dave. Especially when he missed his classic force. I've heard that Dave can be quite a jerk to close-up magicians. Is it true that David Roth was on once and Dave really let him have it? I love his show, but it's horrible to do this to your guests. Compared to Gertner being on Carson, who could see where all the loads came from and played his part perfectly, making Paul the star.
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Leeman Special user Hollywood, CA 709 Posts |
Carson was the best in regards to magicians on his show because he was a magician himself and truely enjoyed magic. With that said this is the second time that Randall has been on the Letterman show. The most enjoyable part for me was when the two were talking about the card counting and casinos.
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Gianni Special user WILMINGTON, DE 993 Posts |
I'm with the group who were underwhelmed with the selections, but I concede that it's probably best to do easy stuff when you are under intense pressure. Randall appears to have made a fan out of Letterman, and I'm not aware of anyone else who has done that in magic. So Randall must feel good about that. That said, how do the monstrously talented magicians fall short of this type of exposure.
One point on the effects chosen. When Randall got Dave to take what seemed to be the only card with his name printed on it, WHY DIDN'T HE STOP THERE? Letterman was blown away. But Randall then flipped through the deck showing that they all had Dave's name on them, then flipped through the deck again and they were all blank - UGH! Gianni |
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MagicMarker Elite user 498 Posts |
While magicians might have been underwhelmed by how difficult the material was, the audience of non-magicians (remember them) were blown away. The card to cake in particular, allowing David to tear the card himself and cut the cake himself.
Try to see this through the eyes of a lay person. Remember David's reaction when the torn pieces dissapeared? Simple to you and I, stunning to the people who matter. I despair sometimes at the kind of magic that magicians like to watch, and expect lay audiences to like. The secrets behind some really advanced magic is more impressive than the effect. If you can make a torn card vanish then restore itself and appear inside a previously baked cake, that's impressive enough to the audience. Also think for a second what that corner fitting at the end meant to a lay audience. Also, if that knock of the sleeve wasn't deliberate he should start doing it deliberately, I even thought he'd lost it. Given what I've said in the other thread about Bad Patter, I thought he was excellent overall. -MM |
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Magicmatt1982 Loyal user Southeren IL 295 Posts |
I thought that the guy sucked. I work everyday as a magician and from my point of very wow he needed help and lots of it. Yes it has to be hard to perform in front of a man like David but he is just a laymen and that is it. I was not impressed what so ever.
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Anyone who is underwhelmed by Jason Randal's material should reflect that he's paid immensely well for his performances. (Several years ago when I worked at PIMCO he performed at our Christmas party: he flew from his home near Yosemite to Orange County, did the show, then flew home, and knowing the worth of the principals at PIMCO (apparently Bill Gross is a personal friend of Jason's), he probably earned several thousand dollars for the evening.) Perhaps he knows something about selecting effects for the paying public that the rest of us would benefit from learning.
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-14 00:16, Magicmatt1982 wrote: I liked it. I was so happy to see magic on TV again. and all I thought was " I'd be too scared to do that on TV". I was baffled by letterman tearing the card as I do the torn corner switch to an orange. Can anyone PM me and tell em why this one worked on letterman?
~Joe
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Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
I'm confused. I didn't think Letterman or the audience reacted all that well at all. I think it's the opposite of what others here seem to think: I thought his material was fine, and that his presentation and audience reaction were lukewarm at best. Is that the kind of audience reaction magicians settle for, and consider a good reaction?
His material was adequate. I just didn't understand where the magic happened. I think that's why the audience was kind of ho hum. The effects were good, but what caused the magic, other than a clever tricky guy? |
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MagicMarker Elite user 498 Posts |
Well it's difficult to gauge the reaction of the audience in studio, and David is used to being the star of the show so his reaction is also not what would concern me. My comments earlier probably applied more the the audience at home.
I know from talking to people about TV Magicians that tricks far less impressive than those shown on this show do impress greatly, and it's not showmanship covering bad tricks, it's the good old "How did he do that?" The card in cake with a torn corner fitting won't impress magicians who know how it's done, at best they'll be impressed with his handling of a troublesome spectator, his joking about forcing cards etc. But for the layman who has no clue how it's done, they do believe that something strange happened. I can see why some might be underwhelmed, but I'll put up with underwhelming magicians to have his kind of skill and success. In fact if I ever start really really impressing magicians, I'll go back to the 21 card trick and start again. -MM |
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Letterman tore the card up. How did he do te corner switch?
~Joe
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
For those who didn't see Jason, clips of his appearances on several shows, including the first Letterman appearance are on his website at http://jasonrandall.com/
I think Jason did a great job under a very difficult performing situation. David Letterman is a real pain in the butt to work for, as he interrupts and tries to take over all the time, even when he is on his "best behavior" with a friend of Richard Gere's. The effects on the first appearance were quick and to the point, and were probably chosen to be paced that way because of Dave's tendancy to blow scatter into a magic performance. Jason did a marvelous job of holding things togethter and going with the flow. He is an extremely successful corporate magician who always gets top money, as well as an excellent professional pianist, a pilot, a scuba diving instructor, a black Belt in Karate, an actor, a professional stuntman and a Phd in psychology. He is the author of several books and a heck of a nice guy. Most of those who want to criticize his work would probably do better to analyze why he has been one of the few magicians to work successfully on the Letterman show. You might be able to learn something from that. I have known Jason for almost thirty years, and have a great deal of respect for him as a performer and as a decent, genuine, and always pleasant person. I think comments like MagicMatt's are uncalled for and unprofessional. If you have criticisms that is one thing, but to say another performer "sucks" in a public forum is very childish and rude. There are many friends of Jason here on the board, and you have managed to offend all of them unnecessarily. Matthew, I think you will find it better in the long run to use some tact and consideration when talking about others even if you do not agree with their choices or have criticism of their performances. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but those who express those opinions with a little care for other's feelings are going to be more appreciated and respected in the long run. I doubt what you said would offend a guy like Jason, but it sure ticked me off. You should re-read the quote you put on your siganature from Don Alan. Jason does not need your help, he is doing just fine at the top of his field. |
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gilbreath76 Loyal user 279 Posts |
I wonder if Letterman was just being a pain when he was asking about forcing words and cards. I get the feeling he already knew the answer to his question and just wanted the public to be aware of it. Anyway, Jason handled it well.
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MSD921 Special user 616 Posts |
I, for one, thought his performance was very good. I think it speaks volumes that he was on the Late Show. That is a venue that is not obtainable unless one has some real talent, history and a good reputation. That alone puts him in a fairly small group. Perhaps a little undercurrent of jealousy in some of these comments? (I know I'm jealous).
Hey, it's great to see magic get some exposure on popular shows. |
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PaulGreen Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Hi,
First, Jason Randal is my friend. I am honored by that relationship. This is the old hoary argument that will never be solved. There will always be neophytes that think the trick or technique overshadows the personality of the magician. Those with any experience under their belts have discovered that presentation becomes everything. Each individual travels that path and makes the discovery on their own. Yes, people like Shoot Ogawa, Lennert Green, and countless un-named people have great "chops", and their technique is flawless. I am also NOT saying that the above mentioned performers are not entertaining. Jason made a conscious decision years ago and chose to direct his energies in a different direction. While his technique may not be "flawless", his ability to entertain AND make an audience love him cannot be questioned. For those that think they know better, Whit Hadyn is correct about making statments in a public forum. You are certainly welcome to your opinion, but airing that opinion is likely to have repurcussions. Take the opportunity that appearances like Jason Randal's on the Letterman show and make your magic have the same fun and likability. You will better yourself and magic will benefit. Jason's appearances only open doors for other magicians. Thanks for the opportunity. Respectfully, Paul Green |
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10cardsdown Special user Out There Somewhere 664 Posts |
I totally agree with Paul Green on this issue. To add one more point, I think jealousy enters into these opinions. Many others think they're "chops" are better and they are more deserving. Give the guy the credit he deserves for finding the stage to perform on.
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Ryan Matney Regular user 189 Posts |
I don't see how saying something nice if you don't really feel that way is going to help anything. Blindly praising every magician on tv just because they are your friend or because they got on TV advances nothing.
I personally don't care one bit about what Jason Randal's skill level is. I'd rather see a self working trick done well any day. There are other things I have problems with in his appearances. His choice of effect, he seems to struggle for patter, awkward presentations, audience managment, fumbling, etc. Why should anyone be critisized for stating their opinion about a performance?
www.pocket-tricks.com
The Close-Up Magic Shop |
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MagicMarker Elite user 498 Posts |
This thread ties in with another thread I started where I asked if people agree that most Patter sucks.
Jason's performance on the show was exactly what I'd like to see more magicians doing. His patter didn't sound like patter, it was flexible enough to allow him to interact with David and go with the flow. I really felt like I was watching Jason doing some tricks rather than Jason being a character doing some tricks. I don't know the guy, perhaps he was acting, perhaps he's completely different when he's not "ON". But I doubt it, he strikes me as a nice, polite, guy who laughs a lot and can laugh at himself. Now of course his words were carefully chosen and planned, he talk about bottom dealing and center dealing was obviously patter to you and I, but to the audience they would have seen it as normal chat that you'd expect from a Card Shark on a chat show. The real skill was that his patter could be interspersed with chatting with David. Actually acknowledging and reacting to your audience rather than ploughing on regardless with your prepared script is a valuable skill. -MM |
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Magic Sam Regular user Canada 107 Posts |
I was unimpressed by the whole performance. I think Randall is a great magician, but his choice of effects and small talk weren't very conducive to the show.
Anyone who has watched Letterman enough knows his attitude; that is to say, he's very meticulous and wants to be in control. Also, he's seen enough magic to know when he's being forced to take a card. There are plenty of strong UNGIMMICKED effects using cards, etc. that Jason could have chosen -- why he picked props you can buy at the magic shop is where I get confused. As soon as he put away the Mental Photo deck to move along, it became suspicious. (I do agree with the other poster about stopping once Letterman's name was on one card.) There was no genuine thread holding his routine together, which meant the audience never settled into the comfort of a flow. Seeing as he's a professional, he should have had backups ready. When David starting asking about forcing things, that was NOT the time to do a T+R card in cake, especially after he missed the first classic force. Go to the backup effect, because it became really contrived. Obviously Letterman caught on to the book test force (riffling to a 'stop' is suspicious enough, and should never be done on TV), so that was the time to veer left. I don't mean to sound so harsh, and I know how much pressure there is on TV (especially live TV). However, for a working professional of his calibre, Randall should have been prepared with at least one backup effect, using a normal prop, to blow everyone away. Heck, even Card Warp would have done the job... Anyway, it was nice to see a magician getting the recognition he deserves, I just think he could have made a stronger impression. Great job, JR!!
Magic is like a party in your eyes, where everyone's drunk and breaking the furniture
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