On 2008-01-24 06:50, state wrote:
Only people who are into magic remember this stuff. If you perform well, this will not affect you at all.

On 2008-01-15 05:26, gaddy wrote:
The problem with exposure on tv is not that it shows the punters how we do what we do. The problem is that it gives those who view it a tangible explanation for the performance of magic at all. And it does it in the wickedly believable medium that TV is... ("I saw it on the TV! it must be true!")

Often (don't kid yourselves...) a spectator will have a vague idea as to how they think a trick may be done. But that's just it- a vague feeling without any credibility. Hopefully, we use showmanship to disarm them and dispel any cares as to the "how" of the trick before that feeling grows into certitude.

Under the influence of a tv exposure show, an audience member "knows" how a trick is done as soon as they can recall it from their memory- regardless if they get it right or not.
In their minds it's a done deal, and you've got to be one helluva showman to knock that certitude out of their heads. That's the problem!

Essentially, you must be better than, or radically different from, what they've seen on TV.

Ask yourself honestly; Are you?

The reality is that there is nothing to be done about this kind of BS. Despite the lackluster ratings such shows usually get, unoriginal tv producers will always dredge up whatever they think will sell a few more deodorant commercials during slow times or ratings seasons. If for some ungodly reason "mimes and jugglers" became the darlings of the media of the moment- I'd be willing to bet my left 'one that some moronic producer would offer up a "Secrets of the Master Street Mimes Revealed" TV show- complete with an explanation of "The Lean by Doug Malloy" explaining how those crazy mimes "do it" .

TV has killed quite a few other forms of live entertainment.

Magic still hobbles on, but its relegation to a (mostly) second or third tier form of entertainment is indicative of the problem all magicians face.

On 2007-03-07 20:37, acchessor wrote:
Apparently Fox does this just to get publicity. . . .

On 2008-01-23 22:15, organicmagician wrote:
Anyone know which rising card gimmick he was using with the counterweight thing built into a half deck?

On 2008-02-10 13:10, Bedford wrote:
There has always been exposure of magic effects, going back at least to Reginald Scott's "Discovery of Witchcraft" in the mid-1500's. I've been practicing magic for about 35 years and there have been exposures as far back as I can remember. I perform both corporate shows and shows for the general public and I can say that not once in my career have I had someone reference an exposure show. Bottom line, the magic isn't in your tricks, it's in your personality and performance.