591: At Home for Christmas with Murray Sawchuck

This has been a tough year for the entire world but particularly for “gig” workers…like magicians. And Las Vegas seems to employ the most magicians per square mile than any other place on earth. So, what was this past year like in Las Vegas? What is it like now? And what does the future look like? Well, this week we “return to Vegas” for our annual holiday visit with “Celebrity Magician”, Murray Sawchuck. Murray is currently the only magician working on the Las Vegas Strip, according to The New York Wire. Click Here to read the article.

In this episode, Murray speaks frankly about what has been going on in Vegas and in particular how his business has been affected, how he handled it, what he did, and what he’s doing. But he also tells us a bit about what has been happening during this slow “rollout” for Vegas shows and showrooms.

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496: Scott Alexander - Stand-Up Guy

Scott Alexander’s magic reached millions on NBC’s season six of “America’s Got Talent” where he advanced all the way with his large stage illusions. With articles in People Magazine and Nations Business, the Oprah Show took notice and Scott was invited by Oprah Winfrey to make a guest appearance on her show. Scott had the honor of headlining on the Las Vegas Strip at Caesars Palace for over seven years and 4,000 performances of large grand illusions fused with stand-up comedy magic. Scott’s magic has been featured on “Penn & Teller’s Fool Us” on the CW, The SyFy Channel, Discovery Channel and NBC. Scott has appeared in Paris on the world class and prestigious Le Grand Plus Cabaret Du Monde. Whether it be the intimacy of a close-up sleight of hand performance, stand up comedy magic, or the all out spectacle of a large stage show, Scott Alexander’s delivery is always lighthearted, somewhat irreverent, amazing, quick-witted and sure to leave you filled with wonder and laughter.

Scott Alexander talks about the development of MAJOKE, the parody of MAGIC Magazine that he helped produce, MAJOKE is probably the most hilarious, controversial, offensive and down right funny thing to come out in the magic world...ever! Similar to the "Weenie" parody of Genii Magazine a few years back, but nowhere near as reserved. We also talk about immediate gratification with immediate digital downloads like the new Magicflix, and the difference between males and females doing magic, the book he is writing on the life of Denny Haney, how he landed his job at Caesar’s Magical Empire,working with Penguin Magic, how he thinks and creates magic and so much more.

We also talk about his wife’s magic show. You can view Jenny Alexander’s promo video here: https://youtu.be/O-KQnN9uRv4

And here is the link to Denny Haney’s daughter’s movie we discussed: https://youtu.be/U42N6VT2USc

Soctt Alexander’s “Bias Pad” is reviewed this week on the podcast.

Scott Alexander Lecture Notes Winner.jpg

#201 - Murray Sawchuck - Celebrity Magician

Murray Sawchuck recently completed two and a half years at the Tropicana's Laugh Factory in Las Vegas. On December 20, 2014, he will begin a new afternoon show at Planet Hollywood's "Sincity Theater" along his wife, Chloe, and his partner, Lefty. Murray will add illusions to his comedy magic show plus bring in different aspects of his other appearances on television such as "Pawn Stars" and other shows.

During our conversation, Murray talked about his upcoming appearance on Hallmark's Home & Family morning talk show. After you have listened to the podcast, then be sure to come back to watch this video. The other two videos below are from a couple of his appearances on "America's Got Talent" (sic).

Murray and his baby Chihuahua Kahlua do a magic trick for the Emmy Nominated show Home & Family. www.murraymagic.com

Why is Murray considered a "Celebrity Magician"? Hear what he has done and what he is doing in and around Las Vegas and on television and determine for yourself if you think he deserves the title. Breaks happen, but as they say, "luck is when preparation meets opportunity." Murray works hard to find opportunities to promote his brand so you could say he is one of the luckiest guys in the business.

Among many other topics discussed in this podcast, Murray talks about how he got his first break to headline his own show in Las Vegas and how it evolved to the new show at Planet Hollywood. He talks about contracts, "two-wall" versus "four-walling" a venue in Las Vegas, working on "America's Got Talent", "Pawn Stars", "Wizard Wars", "Extreme Escapes", advice from Marvin "Mr. Electric" Roy, using social media to your advantage, and more. He also gives us an idea of what a typical day in his life is like. He also talks at the end about his favorite charity, Children of the Night", rescuing children from prostitution, which draws attention to one of the least visible charities out there. He is one busy guy!

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591: At Home for Christmas with Murray Sawchuck

496: Scott Alexander - Stand-Up Guy

#201 - Murray Sawchuck - Celebrity Magician

Magic & Martinis & Murray Thursday

The Magic Word