A colleague and I sometimes do school programs and use magic and comedy to teach kids about water. For the past several years we have used the Comedy Funnel to "drain" excess water out of kids. It's usually a great hit. However, sometimes the funnel gimmick acts up (tape loosens and we lose the vacum) and we lose the water prior to needing it. I understand that the Super Funnel works on a different principle with a mechanical snout on the funnel. Can anyone tell me if this is a better way to go? Which gimmick works better?

If this is the one I'm thinking of, I own it. You have to handle the snout part of the funnel a bit. You also can't pass a rope through it, although you could show it empty and even turn it upside down.

That being said, I prefer it to the more traditional version for the very reason that I can load it even HOURS before the show and never have to worry about it.

I use a comedy funnel as well. I used to have the same problem with mine when I first started using it. I now use it differently, as part of a two phase routine.

After having the kids have a drinking competition with special magic water from a bottle, I then use the leftovers to pour into the funnel, and try to fill it to the brim. I put the funnel snout into my left hand to seal the bottom. Without holding any fingers over the hole, I splash the audience with a little of the water (much like a catholic priest) to give some time for a good amount of water to load, and then after putting a finger over the hole, I then accidentally take the funnel off my left hand and the leftovers pour out onto the ground. This takes the heat off the funnel. You can even tip it upside down and only a couple of drops will fall out. Folks sure freak out when water then comes out of the kid's elbows.

I sometimes load a little yellow food coloring into a glass cup, and the kids think it looks like urine. I only do this to boys, and never girls. A bit gross, but done in fun it can really give lot's of opportunities for funny lines.
Hope that may help.
JoJo

Can anyone recommend a good routine with the Comedy Funnel and a Milk Pitcher?

Why not add the ice pick to the funnel and milk pitcher or. instead of water coming out have it be milk.