I already did, I believe. But I don't think you and I are talking about quite the same thing.

My point isn't, and never was, that one should agree with Mark Wilson because he is famous - although with someone of Mark Wilson's well-earned and maintained standing in this business, I cannot imagine listening to a carefully weighed opinion of his and simply saying, "So what?"

My point is that there is a source that is famous (due to years of work, study, knowledge, respect, etc....) that shares Magicfish's opinion. Because that person is Mark Wilson, it shows that Magicfish's opinion is not an opinion that is shared only by amateurs. It is shared by Mark Wilson (and, it would appear, other famous magicians), whose fame is built on a strong reputation.

Bear in mind, also, when the word "fame" is used with Mark Wilson as the subject, that also brings the qualities that made him famous into the mix. So it is Mark Wilson's fame (which is derived from the things listed above) that is relavent. To me. :^)

Hope that makes sense!

Chessmann

It makes perfect sense to me. But we will have to wait for a professional to confirm it. Unless you are a professional, then of course, it does make sense. Does that make any sense to you?

:)

Fame is not a build-in guarantee to be always right.

I won't be able to share my opinion yet, because I'm not sure what it will be - until I hear what Paris Hilton has to say on the subject.

IF THIS is not perspective I don't know what is! BRAVO.

Fame is completly irrelivant. One guy one opinion. Wheather you can actually express that opinion depends on your geographic location in the world, but you still get a maximum of one.

Fame is NOT in the equasion of wheather an opinion is right or wrong.

Now Magicfish has an opinion which Mark Wilson shares. So according to the sliding scale of fame to opinion, Criss Angel and David Blaine are far more known to "people" so they must be THAT MUCH MORE RIGHT!

The arguement loses water just on its face alone. Those guys along with Copperfield obviously think what they are doing is right. So since they are more famous, and professional, and therefore more deserving of having more weight thrown to their arguement, they must be more right.

Thanks for making me see the light guys.

If folks had integrity and convictions (not spineless creatures) they would have their own opinions and not be so concerned about whether or not others are 'right'.

I stand by "TV magic is either a live report or a fiction", and so offer both Mark Wilson and Harry Potter as models. I appreciate both of them.

I wonder how many rocks I need to turn over to find "it."

I don't think anyone believes "fame" is in the equation.

When someone says, "Fame is not in the equation" I think we all know that. Saying it over and over again is useless. It is not fame that gives an opinion weight or validity. It is the person behind the fame.

It is not Mark Wilson's fame that is the reason his opinion carries (much) more weight than mine. His experience and knowledge from years and years of work doesn't mean he is always right, but his opinion should carry much more weight than my opinion. Naturally so.

I didn't know Mark Wilson was still around.
(generally speaking).

Mark Wilson proved that magic works on TV!

agreed...to quote my dad in a 1974 article:

...and magic production work, such as his design of tricks for the nationally-televised Magic Circus of Mark Wilson.

Acknowledging Wilson’s show, sponsored by the Pillsbury Company as the most
successful commerical magic production ever, Loo said, a trace of wonder in his
voice. “In one show, one show, more people see Mark Wilson than ever saw Houdini
perform, all his career put together.”

REFERENCE: http://mai-ling.net/magic.html#1974springfield

Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell are both very much around, and very busy with the many magical endeavors of his company Mark Wilson Productions, and with the Magic Castle (Mark is on the board of Trustees), and the Magic Castle's Magic University--which Mark runs.

I have always been a big fan of Nani--since I was about fourteen. She is still as beautiful and charming a lady as ever.

That was a joke Whit.

I think we all need to be of ONE opinion. I think that is what is best for magic. One band ONE sound...just like "Drumline"...my new favorite movie. 'Cause here is the thing, I ALWAYS agree with what somebody like Bill Palmer has to say. But I rarely if ever agree with the silly things that some of these other knowitalls post. Right? ONE opinion. Find somebody to tell you what to do and do what they tell you to do. Pick one person whose opinion you will trust. Getting other people's opinions is like doing a project in sociology or something. Who cares what they think?

If mankind minus one were of one opinion, then mankind is no more justified in silencing the one than the one - if he had the power - would be justified in silencing mankind - John Stuart Mill

Well, maybe I'm being a simpleton here, but the reason I think someone might cite Mark Wilson's opinion on TV magic, is not simply because he is "famous" (comparing him to Paris Hilton is a bit off base) - but maybe because, say, he had a huge career in TV magic???

Yes, his is one opinion. But it weighs heavier than the average joe because of his experience. One may disagree with it, but at least you can guarantee it's a well-thought out and informed opinion, based on his experience.

Now if someone wanted to cite Alan Thicke as an opinion maker, because he hosted a couple WGM's, I could see the rush to diminish the "just cause he was famous" factor, but come on people, I think the man has earned the right to speak on the subject. There's a reason Magic magazine is using their print space for his opinion, and not, say, Brad Pitt's.

From one simpleton to another, Rev, I thank you!

;^)

Experts, in our society are called that precisely because they can arrive at well formed and rational conclusions. If that is so, they should be able to explain, to a fair minded but less well informed observer the reasons for their conclusions. If they cannot, they are not very expert. If something is worth knowing and relying upon, it is worth telling.

The bits I've seen of Blaine and Angel don't do it for me - nor does Britney Spears, so I don't listen to her.

I don't think what she does is music but I don't propose legislating against her, bulldozing her records, or burning her books.

Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell are incredible entertainers. I think they have more talent in their little fingers than Mr Blaine or Angel have in their entire bodies.

But if Blaine or Angel come at Magic from a different angle, both we - and they - can decide whether to watch - or not. We cannot decide whether they are allowed to do it or not. The Soviet Union, we must remember - failed (cc: Mr Putin)

It was Mark Wilson and the crush I had on Nani that instilled my desire to learn magic. That said, the original post dealt with if C.A. and D.B.’s TV shows were harming magic, trough editing and exposure.

With all the criticism Mark Wilson has received for selling his magic instruction book, in major book store chains, for any one to pick up and find out the secrets of magic and thereby exposing, this is all a little ironic.