So does anyone have the actual words and the actual context of what was said and who said it, because the report of the incident as it stands is somewhat cryptic.

I have enjoyed every episode every wednesday night since it began. I don't know why people rip on Criss.

Each episode he tries to push himself into some new area, or to expand his limits, and I never know what he will come up with next. I'm not into rock or goth, but I like Criss...he is a downright likeable personality.

Hi guys, I just wanted to let you all know that I am leaving the forum for a while....maybe for good, I don't know yet (no, I haven't been banned....this is by my own choice). I just wanted you guys to know that so you don't waste your time directing comments my way when they are going to go unanswered. I know that I would want to have that info up front, so I am extending to you the same courtesy. I am sorry if I got under anyone's skin over this silly little Criss Angel mess, that was not my original intention. Best of luck to all of you in all areas of your your lives....especially in magic. All the best, Mike (aka) "The Amazing Michael"

Take care.

When you are more comfortable discussing things in a way that permits civil public discourse, come on back. Dissenting opinions are welcome.

Amen.

I agree with Michael. I think criss is better to be an actor than a magician!!

I find the show very hacky and unmagical... more stunts than magic in my opinion, and the over acting just makes me want to smack someone haha... My solution to this has been just not to watch the show anymore.
Peace Beth

I'm sure Criss will lose a lot of sleep over that.

In fact, I'm sure he will slash his wrist. And produce a signed quarter from it.

I didn't say it to cause Cris grief its just happens to be my opinion. Now if I had liked it, it's ok to say that, but not ok if you didn't like it? nice

I have to agree with Beth on this one. His show is very boring, and I can usually sit through anything but his show is pretty lame. I gave up on it , I thought it would get better but is has been getting worse every week. I like watching him perform magic but he doesn't even do that any more well maybe 1 trick per episode.
Please don't get me wrong I wish the best for him , but look at his ratings there lower every week. Ask a layperson who David Blaine is and they'll tell you but ask who Criss Angel is they don't know. I thought I would never say this but Blaines show is more entertaining. And his time slot doesn't help either.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a big Criss Angel fan. But I don't find his shows boring. Overblown maybe, in some aspects, but not boring.

You have to realize that as a technician Criss is far more competent than Blaine. He also has a lot more originality. It may be misplaced sometimes. And he is always working. No down time for Criss.

He drew the short straw and got the "b" and "c" networks. Who but a magician or someone who was a total couch potato would watch the Discovery Channel?

What I see in most of these posts is a huge amount of jealousy. Most of you think you could pull off what Criss does. I really doubt it. First of all, you probably don't have the budget.

Swee said "I agree with Michael. I think criss is better to be an actor than a magician!! "

Isn't a magician an actor anyway? I too have to admit I have lost a bit of interest in his shows. I admire Criss a lot. He has a unique style, and he works hard to maintain that style/personna. I believe Todd Robbins said that Criss even plans all the shots and everything to do with the show. That is no easy task.

I understand his plan for each episode. It makes perfect sense. Everything leading up to the finale trick/effect/stunt has a purpose. He is trying to get a point across which is seriously lacking in a lot of magic, including my own. I liken him closer to David Copperfield in terms of devotion and thought out production than David Blaine and random acts of magic with little continuity.

My heart truly warms up when I see banachek on the show.... He is one of my favourites.

Bill, I don't think there is a huge amount of jealousy here. People are just stating their opinions.

His shows aren't magic. They are stunts. And that is my opinion.

And yes Bill, if some of the people here had Chris's budget they could pull off some of his stunts. His budget includes advisors such as Banachek. With him advising some people on this forum, I'm sure that they would be able to do what Chris does. Some have purchased some of Banacheks material and could do what Banachek does.

Bill , jealousy ??? , not even close. I wish him all the best.
and for "Most of you think you could pull off what Criss does." What does Criss do?, talk for 55 minutes or has his "consultants" talk him up than performs a stunt.
I'm not big on stunts , I like to see magic.
It's amazing we as magicians can't state we like or dislike someones act or show. Right when you say you dislike someones act you're considered jealous. why is that?
Maybe if they would listen to our criticism the show might be better.
It's already a bad show when laypeople turn off the show but when fellow magicians turn it off that's pretty bad.
Again there is no denying Criss is an excellent magician I just wish he would stick to that.

[quote]On 2005-09-28 08:32, inidyls wrote:

Bingo...thats my thoughts exactly . I don't have anything against Criss. I love bizarre magic. But what I don't like is when you're not allowed to say that in your opinion, it's bad without being called jealous. It just seems like an easy catch all to dismiss anyones opinion who dislikes it. Also personally, it's straight out not true. I just would never say anything negative about someones act out of jealousy. Absolutely can't imagine doing that. But really how helpful would it be to say it was great when I don't think it is?
Peace Beth

Do any of you actually believe you could direct a show for Criss Angel?

What pure idiocy!

Do you think that just because you have purchased one of Banachek's effects you can do what he does?

That's as silly as saying "Well, I have a subtrunk, so I can do what the Pendragons do."

My point is very simple. Say what you want on this forum. That's fine. I don't really have a problem with that.

But when you get out into the public, don't put him down. It makes you look small and petty. It certainly doesn't make you look professional.

Buying tricks doesn't make you a magician.

You just can't explain that to some people here.

Ultimately, what we say on this forum makes no difference at all to the people who run television networks. What makes a difference is the feedback they get from their audiences, in the form of ratings. They spend a lot of money on ratings.

If you want to see what the laymen are saying go over to Genii Forum and read this link:
http://geniimagazine.com/forum/cgi-bin/u......t=002099

Bear in mind that when you send e-mail or letters to the networks, they do look to see if you are a magician. If it says that you are a magician on your letterhead, they really don't care what it says. It gets "file 13ed."

Update:

I have been giving this thread a lot of thought the last few days. Maybe I have misjudged some of the posters as being jealous or envious of Criss because he has managed to get a minor network to give him what basically amounts to a series on cable. I hope my judgment has been incorrect. But I don't think it is.

Here's why.

In the early 1970's, a long-haired kid from Canada managed to land a network special -- broadcast live, with no edits. He had Bill Cosby on as one of his guest stars. The magic clubs seethed with people who were saying: "That hippy kid from Canada is no good. He hasn't paid his dues. He must have used camera tricks for that thing he did with the water torture escape." And they hated Doug Henning. Why? He was "different." He had "Lawng Hare."

Time passed. Henning was accepted by the bulk of the magic fraternity as one of the stars. He certainly became a draw. Then this fellow named "David Copperfield" AKA David Kotkin, got a TV special. We heard the same arguments. "He's no magician, he's a dancer." "He got all of that stuff out of the Harbin book." The green-eyed monsters were on the prowl again. And a lot of the Henning imitators changed their acts so they were more like Copperfield.

David Blaine came along and attracted a new group of people to magic. What did the green-eyed monsters say, "He wears dirty clothes." I don't know where they got that. "He used camera tricks." So what. He's performing on television, for Pete's sakes. Let him use what he wants. The test comes when he performs live.

Criss has been around a long time. He has always marched to a different drummer. He is trying something new. Maybe you don't like it. But don't let the layman know that. Why? It hurts all of magic when you knock a fellow performer in public.

It makes us all look like a bunch of petty old ladies.