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354: Robin Leach - Lifestyles of Magicians

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Robin Leach has long been associated with his catch phrase "Champagne Dreams and Caviar Wishes" as he hosted the long running television show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"  which focused on profiling well-known celebrities and their lavish homes, cars and other materialistic details. But Robin is also a "magic fan" who clearly loves and has a deep respect for magic and he is friends with many of the local magicians. Believe it or not, he is an honorary member of The Magic Circle. He also has a rather impressive collection of magic books in his library.

I saw Robin Leach at last year's MAGIC Live! who was trying to be inconspicuous as he chatted with Stan Allen. I later asked Stan about Robin's association with magic which led to this podcast. As a long time resident of Las Vegas and immersed in the lifestyles of local celebrities, Robin has a unique perspective on the history and evolution of the magic scene. I felt that he would make a perfect guest for the podcast to hear an "outsiders" perspective of magic, magicians, and the role they have played in making Las Vegas what it is today. I was not disappointed.

Today at age 75 his life hasn't slowed down. I was lucky to get an hour and a half of his time during the week I was in Las Vegas because of his tremendously busy schedule including his weekly vlog (video log) on You Tube, LuxeVegas.

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Our discussion opens with Robin talking about making and enjoying a "proper" cup of tea. He then talks about his passion for magic and how he believes it needs to have a much higher ranking among the performing arts. He then chats about having been a guest of Bob Harbin and becoming an honorary member of The Magic Circle. He then goes on to talk about his favorite magician, Bill Malone. He also enjoyed watching Ricky Jay live in his Broadway performance, "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants".

He then talks about the evolution of magic on the Las Vegas "Strip" including from Norm Neilsen, Channing Pollock, Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton, David Copperfield to Penn & Teller, Criss Angel and Amazing Jonathan to the newest show on the Strip, Jarrett & Raja. Although he sings the praises of many magicians, he is not a fan of hypnotists, and he also has advice for Mac King and Xavier Mortimer. Ultimately, he believes there are too many magicians in Las Vegas today though the art of magic still survives. He then shifts to talking about how hard it is to work in New York City but Monday Night Magic has proved to be the exception.

He concludes by giving us his three "D's" of show business: Dedication, Discipline and Diligence.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

For more information on this and the other Nick Trost books in this series, please visit Steve Bryant's  Little Egypt Magic, March 2017 edition.

Tagged with Robin Leach, Las Vegas, Bill Malone, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Robert Harbin, Ricky Jay, Criss Angel, Siegfried and Roy, Norm Neilsen, Tommy Cooper, Mac King, Lance Burton, David Blaine, Jarrett and Raja, David Copperfield, Franz Harary, Michael Chaut, Penn & Teller, Monday Night Magic, Peter Samelson, Jamy Ian Swiss, Todd Robbins.

April 27, 2017 by Scott Wells.
  • April 27, 2017
  • Scott Wells
  • Robin Leach
  • Las Vegas
  • Bill Malone
  • Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
  • Robert Harbin
  • Ricky Jay
  • Criss Angel
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Norm Neilsen
  • Tommy Cooper
  • Mac King
  • Lance Burton
  • David Blaine
  • Jarrett and Raja
  • David Copperfield
  • Franz Harary
  • Michael Chaut
  • Penn & Teller
  • Monday Night Magic
  • Peter Samelson
  • Jamy Ian Swiss
  • Todd Robbins
  • Post a comment
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333: Todd Robbins - The Man Of Your Nightmares

Todd Robbins is a man of many talents with many "irons in the fire", so to speak. With a background in sideshow entertainment (eating glass, fire eating, driving a nail up his nose, walking on glass, etc.) he has found a niche in the larger public eye on the Discovery Network as the host of "True Nightmares". He is also the star of the theatrical show "Play Dead" co-written by his friend, Teller (of Penn & Teller fame).

Watch performance artist Todd Robbins Eat a Light Bulb for ART or something like it!

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In this episode, Todd talks about "spiritualism" performing seances that led to his producing "Play Dead"; his work doing deshow entertainment (for example, how he eats glass); his work with the Big Apple Circus; producing and performing at "Monday Night Magic" in New York City; hosting the hit TV series, "True Nightmares", being one of the famous "Long Beach Mystics" as a young man, all interspersed with some pretty interesting stories along the way.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

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Tagged with Todd Robbins, Play Dead, Monday Night Magic, sideshow, eating glass, blockhead, Big Apple Circus, Long Beach Mystics, Teller, spiritualsm, Houdini, Little Red, John Trower.

December 1, 2016 by Scott Wells.
  • December 1, 2016
  • Scott Wells
  • Todd Robbins
  • Play Dead
  • Monday Night Magic
  • sideshow
  • eating glass
  • blockhead
  • Big Apple Circus
  • Long Beach Mystics
  • Teller
  • spiritualsm
  • Houdini
  • Little Red
  • John Trower
  • Post a comment
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133: Magic Year in Review - Putting the Band Back Together

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In this podcast, I am joined by most of the old gang from "This Week in Magic" that was part of The Magic Newswire: Dodd Vickers, David "Silly Billy" Kaye, and Cameron Ramsay. Chase Goforth was "under the weather" and unable to join us on this podcast.

Many have wondered what Dodd Vickers has been doing since his hiatus from The Magic Newswire and his plans for the future of the website. The movie business in Atlanta, Georgia has certainly kept him busy but he has not neglected The Magic Newswire. Some exciting things are in store that include The Conjuring Arts Center. David Kaye has been touring a lecturing abroad throughout Europe and Africa during this past year. David talks at length about the College of Magic and the important work they are doing for the youth in Africa. Be sure to check out their website to see how you can help. Cameron has been performing, attending lectures and working with Andrew Mayne's new television show.

At time stamp 00:40:24 we kick off our discussion of what has happened in the world of magic including magic in the movies, magic on television, live theatrical magic productions, magic conventions, and more. We also mentioned a few names of those magicians who have passed on during this past year.

View fullsize Dodickers, host of the Magic Newswire
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View fullsize Silly Billy as "Og the Caveman"
View fullsize Cameron Ramsay
View fullsize Chase Goforth, in absentia

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). The built-in player above may not work on Apple Operating Systems due to their recent IOS update. Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

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Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses and assistants who passed on in 2013. If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Magicians' Valhalla

Scott B. “Scotty” York, Jr. (DOD – December 28, 2012)

Imam Hossain (DOD – December 2012)

Kees Schoonenberg

Louis W. Chaudet

Robert “Bob” Steiner

William P. “Bill” Miesel

Harold F. Puff

Alexander Adrion

Maurine B. Christopher

Jerry C. Schnepp, Sr.

David Ball

Deyip J. Louie

Hans Moretti

Peter J. Reveen

Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Escher, Jr.

Johnny Lonn (Bjorn Lonnqvist)

Dennis R. Loomis

Vinicio Raimondi

Gene “Phantini” Grant

Amos Levkovitch

David L. Bendix

Richard A. “Dick” Staub

Richard W. “Rick” Walker

Albert Ching

Bart Whaley

Jon LeClair

Burton S. Sperber

Madren Elbern “John” Calvert

Gladys Simoneaux Christenberry

Gertrude Smith

C. Parker Swan, III

Monica Roucau

Roland Hill

Karl Norman

Roderick William "Rod the Hop"  Dee

Last vestiges of Christmas cookies to be eaten as we ring in the New Year. Cheers!

Last vestiges of Christmas cookies to be eaten as we ring in the New Year. Cheers!

Tagged with Magic Newswire, College of Magic, Make Believe, Burt Wonderstone, Silly Billy, Chase Goforth, Cameron Ramsay, Bill Kalush, David Kaye, David Blaine, Cris Angel, Reel Magic, Now You See Me, Dodd Vickers, Desperate Acts of Magic, Conjuring Arts Center, Kozmo.

December 26, 2013 by Scott Wells.
  • December 26, 2013
  • Scott Wells
  • Magic Newswire
  • College of Magic
  • Make Believe
  • Burt Wonderstone
  • Silly Billy
  • Chase Goforth
  • Cameron Ramsay
  • Bill Kalush
  • David Kaye
  • David Blaine
  • Cris Angel
  • Reel Magic
  • Now You See Me
  • Dodd Vickers
  • Desperate Acts of Magic
  • Conjuring Arts Center
  • Kozmo
  • Post a comment
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

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Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i
More time near the Tuscan sun. But this time we traveled south to Umbria where we visited #Bevagna #Montefalco and #Spello
More time under the beautiful Tuscan sun with a visit to Montalcino and Montepulciano for wine tasting and exploring. Now staying in a monestary. #italy
Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i
Another delightful day under the Tuscan sun in Siena and other cities I can't spell, but enjoying the sun, the food, the wine, and the culture. And the Gelato is amazing. #gelato #siena #italy
A tour of the Chianti Classico region. Two wineries and a sunset Tuscan dinner followed by, of course, gellato. #chianti
From Turin to Parma where we tried the music,  cheese, prosciutto,  wine, and Gelato. #parma
Under the Tuscan sun with truffle hunting, a cooking class, and wine. #tuscany

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

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