I haven’t seen a magic special since David Copperfield was on sometime in 2001. Why do you think their isn’t as much specials on as their were? Also David Blaine what happened to him is he done with doing specials? I just want to see some new and exciting illusions. Maybe I should do my own specials.

There's still plenty of magic on, it just so happens that the fashion for TV magic has moved for the time being into reality-style street magic rather than big illusion shows (Criss Angel's specials do both).

There's been the two Criss Angel specials, the two Magic Unmasked documentaries, T.H.E.M., and those are just the American ones we've seen here in the UK. I understand Marco Tempest has a whole series going over there too.

Here we've had (and continue to have) highly succesful series by Derren Brown, including his (in)famous Russian Roulette special and Max Somerset's excellent "Max Magic" series on Sky.

David Blaine I think is still recovering from (or selling the consequences of, depending on what you believe) his hungry bloke in a box stunt, I daresay he'll be back when he's good and ready.

Two words: Garry Ouellet.

Nick Fox

I agree with Nick. When we lost Gary, the specials went with him.

Three new words:
Reality TV fad.

Shouldn't that be called "Contrived Reality TV"?

Most people in these situations would have been rescued immediately (if it were real), if not held for a hearing to make them wards of the state.

An investment strategy in Finance is "Greater Fool Theory". It assumes there is some one out there even dumber than the current owner. I think it was just applied to another form of greed.

Based upon audience delivered per dollar for talent, it might also be known as "Cheap Tricks". As an old marketing professor who taught advertising for years, I question the long term market value of the audience. It makes SPAM an attractive vehicle.

A common behavior just prior to final failure of a failing commercial organization is cost-cutting. At last they save so much money that no one is interested in what they are offering. The customer base has moved on.

I see no reduction in interest for live magic performances. Television has its problems. They will likely get worse.