863: Eric Dittelman - "L" Before "E" Except in...

As we begin on “Month of Boo'“ on The Magic Word Podcast, we gently slide into it this week featuring a mind reader, Eric Dittelman. He was the first mentalist to be a finalist on America’s Got Talent (sic) where he broke new ground. He has also appeared on Penn & Teller Fool Us (video below). Since then he has kept busy and in demand on the college circuit and as a corporate performer. Just like last week’s guest, Alex Boyce, Eric also is a regular performer at SpeakEasy Magick in New York City. Eric doesn’t regularly perform nor lecture at magic conventions, so this week’s episode is a real masterclass and maybe the closest thing you’ll hear as a lecture from him. During COVID, he and Mat Franco co-hosted a podcast called Mind Over Magic, which ran for over 100 episodes. It was one of my regular podcasts that I never missed. I think you might enjoy hearing it, too.

This week, Eric talks about his rise to become a finalist on AGT, performing on the college circuit, developing the podcast with Mat Franco, identifying his “powers” as a mentalist, and more! He reveals lost of ideas and tips for working professional and those who want to find success as a mentalist. .

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This was the book that Eric Dittelman briefly talked about in this week's podcast. Please click on the graphic above to visit your Amazon account. And remember, when you do, you are helping The Magic Word Podcast through the Amazon Affiliate program when you buy this or any other product through Amazon. Thank you for your support.

358: Mat Franco - Magic Reinvented Nightly

Winner of Season 9 of "America's Got Talent [sic]" (AGT). Mat Franco has a successful show on the Las Vegas Strip for the past year and a half in the newly remodeled Linq Casino and Hotel, which was the former Imperial Palace. His show is unlike any other on the Strip and pulls from many of the popular tricks he performed on AGT. The name of his show "Magic Reinvented Nightly" is the perfect title because, without giving away any surprises, every show is different but...oh, darn it, I really can't say any more. But I do recommend the show. It is done with pure skill and personality. The focus is not on the props, dancers or music but focused on the performer himself. And he is riding high on the success of his TV appearances. I know that his show will have "legs" and should remain popular for many years to come.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:04:50 - Mat Franco talks a lot about his experience on America's Got Talent [sic] television show. He obviously had a completely different experience than all the other magicians who preceded him. We also chat about his new show at the Linq Hotel and Casino (which is owned by Caesar's). He also tells about his years performing on the college circuit, his early inspirations, trick selection, timing, nervousness, developing his character, bad decisions along the way, creating his vision of the show, and more.

01:12:46 - Product review of "Matrix Pad Reloaded" by Richard Griffin. Effect: a Post-It notepad is shown. Four spots are drawn in each corner of the pad with a Sharpie. One by one with a rub of the finger, the spots visibly assemble to one corner. The top sheet can be peeled off and given to a spectator. Highly recommended.

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235: FISM Italy - Day Four

It may have been a little overcast outside, but the weather and the magic was perfect in the convention center. After viewing the stage competition from 8:30 to 12:30, I got to walk around the dealers a bit more, chat with friends, and attend a couple lectures. And of course, it was Thursday which meant magic and Martinis in the evening with friends at the bar.

After watching Luke Jermay's one man show, was the evening gala featuring: Cyril Takayama and Eun Gyeol Lee as co-MC's with Mike Chao, Topas, David Kaplan, Tony Frebourg, Alberto Giorgi, Rob Zabrecky, Sos & Victoria and Samuel.