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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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676: Ed Alonzo - In The Library

While I was in Los Angeles to work on “Masters of Illusion” TV series, Ed Alonzo found time to sit in the library of the Magic Castle to chat about his career. As a former member of the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Junior group, Ed launched successful careers as both a magician and an actor having major roles in many television series including “Saved By The Bell.” He also went on to work with Britney Spears on her worldwide concert tour where he interacted with her on stage in his character as a magician.

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In this week’s episode, Ed covers a lot of territory in a short hour podcast. He talks extensively about the Magic Castle and his love and dedication to the clubhouse. He also talks about his time as a youth as he was trying to “find his character” when he was a member of the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Juniors. He tells how he transitioned into acting but never lost his love for performing magic, which he still does to this day having just completed the taping of Season Nine of “Masters of Illusion.” By the way, he talked about running for office on the Academy of Magical Arts: he won the election and is now on the Board of Directors. Congratulations, Ed.

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 or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Towards the end of the episode, Ed talks about being on “The American Life” podcast with Ira Glass and David Kestenbaum as they talked about “The Lady Vanishes” or, David Copperfield’s vanish of the Statue of Liberty. Ed was part of the team that worked with David on this illusion and this episode goes into detail about the effect. The podcast website for this episode is HERE. “The Lady Vanishes” is the second part of this episode entitled “The Magic Show” and Ed Alonzo’s part comes very near the end at around time stamp 00:53:00.

Tagged with Ed Alonzo, The Magic Castle, Doug Henning, Owens Magic Supreme, Dirk Arthur, Long Beach Mystics, Kevin James, comedy magic, Siegfried and Roy, Saved By The Bell, Britney Spears, Statue of Liberty, David Copperfield, Neil Patrick Harris.

April 21, 2022 by Scott Wells.
  • April 21, 2022
  • Scott Wells
  • Ed Alonzo
  • The Magic Castle
  • Doug Henning
  • Owens Magic Supreme
  • Dirk Arthur
  • Long Beach Mystics
  • Kevin James
  • comedy magic
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Saved By The Bell
  • Britney Spears
  • Statue of Liberty
  • David Copperfield
  • Neil Patrick Harris
  • Post a comment
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551: Coronavirus - Impact on Magicians

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We are at the beginning of a “new normal” for an undetermined period. This pandemic is affecting the whole world and in particular, impacting our magic community in a serious way. Groups are postponing or canceling events where we were booked and then, almost literally overnight, many of our bookings over the next few months have dried up. Businesses and schools have closed or reduced their hours, people are asked not to congregate, and international travel has been banned.

This episode is intended to keep us connected and to let each of you know that you are not alone as we are all feeling the pain. The assortment of guests on this week was random but includes performers from various backgrounds from cruise ships to corporate and birthday parties to trade shows. It is uncertain how long this trip will be and where it will take us, make us, or break us. Hopefully, it will be short and we can all return to doing what we love…entertaining people with magic!

In this episode, Jamie Salinas discusses the cancellation of shows during this Pandemic.
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View fullsize Jamie Salinas
View fullsize David Corsaro
View fullsize Jessica Jane Peterson
View fullsize Love Melander
View fullsize Murray Sawchuck

A link is mentioned on the podcast that refers you to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Here is the link for all of the State Departments in the U.S.: https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html

Johns Hopkins has an excellent website with regular updates and news on the virus. Click Here to visit their website.

Recommendations from The Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) regarding the novel coronavirus:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

* Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

* To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places—elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

* Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

* Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

* Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and cell phones).

* Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

And, in addition, do NOT shake hands, hug, or kiss anyone on the cheek! Elbow bumps are the order of the day.

Timestamps for this episode:

00:13:00 - Fred and Bobbi Becker talk about how their cruise ship performances are being effected.

00:34:24 - Jessica Jane Peterson just received word that her cruise bookings have been canceled though at the time of our conversation, she had not officially had her contracts canceled by the cruise company.

00:48:38 - David Corsaro has some really great ideas on how magicians should spend this “down time”, some do’s and don’ts.

01:01:45 - Jamie Salinas suggests how he has altered his show and how he handles children in his birthday parties and school shows.

01:14:22 - From Sweden, Love Melander, talks about the effect on our overseas friends and the impact on trade show performers.

01:23:05 - Murray Sawchuck gives us a perspective of what’s happening in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the U.S.

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 or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here


Congratulations to Michael Bochert, the winner of the recent contest hosted by our sponsor, The Magic Book Shop. He won a copy of “Daryl’s Ambitious Card Omnibus”. Check their website often to see new contests.

Plus you get a 15% discount off all of your book purchases when you use the promo code on checkout: magicword

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Tagged with Coronavirus, Covid-19, The Beckers, Fred Becker, Bobbi Becker, cruise ships, Jamie Salinas, Jessica Jane Peterson, David Corsaro, Love Melander, Murray Sawchuck, Las Vegas.

March 19, 2020 by Scott Wells.
  • March 19, 2020
  • Scott Wells
  • Coronavirus
  • Covid-19
  • The Beckers
  • Fred Becker
  • Bobbi Becker
  • cruise ships
  • Jamie Salinas
  • Jessica Jane Peterson
  • David Corsaro
  • Love Melander
  • Murray Sawchuck
  • Las Vegas
  • Post a comment
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158: Bargatze, Merrill & Corsaro - The Comedy Process

Comedy writing isn't pretty. Like making sausage, it's a process with an end product that is up to the taste of the audience to appreciate. Walking the fine edge of a razor doesn't even begin to describe it. It takes grueling hours to labor over a line that might take a few seconds to deliver while other jokes come at the spur of the moment. Creativity is a muscle and must be exercised meaning good ideas don't necessarily come easily.

Stephen Bargatze and Rick Merrill are well-known in the international magic community as comedy magicians. David Corsaro has been the longtime producer of "Time To Be Awesome" video blog. This blog features video interviews with some of the most awesome magicians in the land who talk about their magic and roads to success.

Together these three magicians create a one-time-only comedy skit that is featured as the closing act at the annual Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic (F.F.F.F.) convention. Steve and Rick combine physical and cerebral humor that entertains the audience and leaves the attendees talking about their act for the next year.

If you enjoy this podcast, then you will love The Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane. This podcast was recommended to me by Eric Dittleman and I want to recommend it to you. It is hosted by a well-known improv teacher, Jimmy Carrane, who interviews some of the icons in the world of improvisational comedy. It is a fascinating podcast that delves into the comedy writing process in each episode. You can visit the website at http://jimmycarrane.com/improv-nerd-podcast/ or search for it in iTunes or your favorite podcast catching app.

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An example of one of the videos from David Corsaro and "Time To Be Awesome"

In this podcast, Stephen Bargatze, Rick Merrill and David Corsaro go on the record with a "tell all" about their creative process and how they came together and work together. They talk about molding ideas, structuring the jokes, trying to appeal to the audience's appreciation of their brand of humor, "hits and misses", brainstorming, working in comedy clubs, improvisation, and more.

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). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Magic & Martinis Thursday

A little light reading during the cocktail hour. What's on your shelf?

A little light reading during the cocktail hour. What's on your shelf?

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Tagged with Stephen Bargatze, Rick Merrill, David Corsaro, Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic, F.F.F.F., comedy writing, Nate Bargatze, Pat Hazell, Seinfeld, Dai Vernon, The Improv Nerd, Jimmy Carrane.

May 15, 2014 by Scott Wells.
  • May 15, 2014
  • Scott Wells
  • Stephen Bargatze
  • Rick Merrill
  • David Corsaro
  • Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic
  • F.F.F.F.
  • comedy writing
  • Nate Bargatze
  • Pat Hazell
  • Seinfeld
  • Dai Vernon
  • The Improv Nerd
  • Jimmy Carrane
  • 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

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

Do you have a comment or suggestion for The Magic Word Podcast? Click on the SpeakPipe logo and leave a short audio message for Scott. It’s fast, easy and fun. Send a “shout out” today and who knows? Your message may be heard on an upcoming podcast!

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
FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm
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
FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm

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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