644: Joseph Gabriel - A Bird In Hand

Multi-Award winning Broadway illusionist, Joseph Gabriel, single-handedly changed the face of magic with his iconic sleight-of-hand performance when he appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” for the first time. Joseph is known for his signature style of producing various exotic birds and is equally adept at large-scale illusions, mentalism, and comedy audience participation. Soon after his appearance on “The Tonight Show”, Joseph began headlining in lavish Las Vegas review shows, such as the “Lido de Paris” at the Stardust Hotel and “City Lites” at the Flamingo where he headlined for nine years.

In this week’s episode, Joseph talks about the importance of “being so good, they can’t ignore you,” to quote Steve Martin. He has developed his own style of performing and talks about his journey where good things in his career kept happening, including his two year association with the Peruvian legend, Richiardi. In addition to his work with birds, he is also an accomplished artist and maker/performer of marionettes.

This week in magic, one of the highlights in our community was the “Las Vegas wedding of year” of Murray Sawchuck and Dani Elizabeth.

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500: Uri Geller - Not Bending the Truth

Uri Geller is undoubtedly one of the most interesting, enigmatic, charismatic, controversial, influential and well-known entertainers in the world today. His name has become part of our zeitgeist and, like Houdini, has become part of our international culture and language.

There have been several articles, televised performances, interviews and podcasts on Uri Geller. One of the more recent ones (aside from this one), was done for the podcast called “Pretend” (#S405: The Psychic Spy with Uri Geller) which I recommend you take an hour to hear. It goes into much of his background which this week’s podcast does not cover.

Uri Geller, the illusionist known for his spoon-bending stunts, unveils an 11 ton spoon in Jaffa, Tel Aviv, next to the site where he plans to open his museum in late 2019.

In this podcast, Uri talks about his appearance on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and his subsequent battle with James Randi, metal bending, existential and metaphysical interests, dowsing, powers of the mind, and more. Throughout our discussion, Uri suggests that listeners visit his website at https://www.urigeller.com/ which contains a wealth of information and free downloads. You can spend a lot of time there delving into the many facets of this multi-dimensional man.

This 500th episode is one small podcast for a man. One giant leap for magic.

497: Pat Hazell - Part One: Notes From Home

Pat Hazell may not be a name you are familiar with, but for those do (like Johnny Carson and Jerry Seinfeld), then you know how funny he is and how serious he takes comedy. He was an emcee at the 2018 MAGIC Live! event where he showed the “fake trailer” that fooled Jerry. You can view that very funny trailer by Clicking Here. He moved from magic into comedy but has never quit thinking about magic. “Wonderbread Years” is just one of his successful one-man shows that he has developed along the way. In this “Notes From Home” podcast, he talks about his roots so you can see perhaps how it affected his later life as a successful comedian.

In this podcast, Pat Hazell talks about his recent return to magic conventions with his appearance at the 2018 MAGIC Live! event, He also talks about his magical beginnings in Omaha performing restaurant magic, his performances on ”The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, and a publicity stunt to promote his ”upside down straight jacket escape” in the warehouse district of Omaha (see the picture here on the blog). He also tells some funny stories about Hooters Restaurant, his Omaha apartment that had high enough ceilings where he could practice juggling, and his “joke of the day” on his answering machine. Pat also talks about why he got into comedy writing and performing that led to his move to Los Angeles where his career took off. There are a ton of other stories that you’re sure to enjoy.

644: Joseph Gabriel - A Bird In Hand

500: Uri Geller - Not Bending the Truth

497: Pat Hazell - Part One: Notes From Home

The Magic Word