618: Jeff Hobson - World Class Host

Jeff Hobson is a name that is familiar with magicians and the lay public alike. After many years as the host of “The Illusionists” world tour (the “Trickster”), Jeff has made countless fans around the globe. But before that he was the “Host of Las Vegas” where he had his own show plus worked as the host for many variety shows. Besides being comedy magician and emcee, for a short time Jeff also pioneered the online lecture service out of Las Vegas. Of late, Jeff is the owner/operator of “Marvyn’s Magic Theater” in La Quinta, California.

This week’s podcast episode on YouTube.

This week, Jeff Hobson talks about his long career that has taken him from his roots in Michigan to Las Vegas to Atlantic City then around the world. He performed with Mark Kalin and Jinger in “Carnival of Wonders” then took off with “The Illusionists” as the emcee of that show. Jeff talks about all of that plus how he has “settled down” (at least for a while) with his “Marvyn’s Magic Theater” in California.

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

617: U.K. Kid Show Magicians

Kids are kids the world over and they all love magic. But there are some subtle differences in how and where magic is presented to children in the U.S. versus how it's done in the U.K. This week we chat with family and children show entertainers from the U.K. about these differences and some of their challenges (i.e. taking the tube and/or train in London between shows) and how they brand themselves by using memorable names for their characters.

Listen this week to our chat with Martin "Mr. Biscuit" Cox, Dave "Magic Dave" Allen and Paul "Colonel Custard" Megram as we hear how it's done "across the pond."

This week’s podcast episode on YouTube.

This week, Paul Megram, Dave Allen and Martin Cox represent a small sample of the complex and multi-levels of children’s show magicians in England. Someone could easily make a podcast devoted to just the kid show industry in the U.K. by featuring a different entertainer each week, but that’s not what The Magic Word Podcast is about. So please enjoy this 35,000 foot (or 10,668 meters) overview of this lucrative industry and accept our apologies if we have left out you as a guest or topics that you think we should have discussed.

616: Jon Allen - We'll Clean That Up Later

From the U.K., Jon Allen is our guest this week who is the creator of “Silent Treatment” and “The Pain Game” and the 3 DVD set, “Connection”, among so many other offerings to the magic community. Jon continues to be a creator, performer and overall just an interesting gentleman who has been recognized for his talents by being a Member of the Inner Magic Circle (M.I.M.C. with Gold Star) among other accolades. He has also received “Close-Up Magiician of the Year” by The Magic Circle.

This week’s podcast episode on YouTube.

During our conversation, Jon talks about comedy in the U.K., working weddings and corporate events plus performing on the U.K edition of “Penn & Teller Fool Us” with his “Pain Game.” He also chats about creativity and theory and his philosophy of magic.