Season 1: Magical London Town

[Meredith Quill]

Episode Synopsis:

In tonight's show, comedy magician Mark Shortland gives Jonathan the fright of his life, French genius Mathieu Bich is stupendously mysterious, double act Young and Strange give stage illusions their own special twist and card shark Daniel Madison shows why the casinos are scared of him. After facing the challengers, Penn and Teller will close the show with a fantastic new trick of their own.

 

 

Note: Originally aired as S01/E02 on 6/25/2011 in UK.  

[opus]

I was gonna comment, but the episode I saw on the CW last night wasn't this one.

[jhlipton]

I saw Mathieu Blix, Strange & Young and a few others.  

I guessed the first one -- the die was obvious, so it was just a matter of forcing Ross to put his phone in #1.

 

Blix was good -- having "NO" in the box was great.

 

Strange & Young looked like a standard Vegas act -- not impressed

The "Poker Hand" trick was pretty good.   Even looking for it, I didn't spot a substitution.  

[opus]

yeah, that was my episode. And there's lots to read about the show on the internet, from the airings in England.

Edited July 31, 2014 by GaryE

[SomethingClever]

Yeah, the description is from Episode 1 of the British airing. Last night's was technically episode 2 from the first run, featuring Mark Shortland, Mathieu Bich, Young and Strange, and Daniel Madison.

 

For what I can only assume were problems getting the rights, they changed the music for Bich's performance, which is a shame. The original fit the trick better (You can still see it here). That's easily my favorite trick of the night, simple, straightforward and really magical.

[A Boston Gal]

This was my first introduction to the show; interesting that during the intro Penn says something like, "if you can fool us, you go to Vegas - if not, we reveal how your trick was done." But really, the acts they can figure out (aside from the trick die), they really DIDN'T reveal (at least to my novice capabilities to understand) exactly how it was done. I guess you magician folk out there can figure it out how they pulled them off, but I really didn't understand -- although the trunk one had something to do with the girl either already IN the trunk..but more likely, behind the backdrop that was wheeled out to hide the trunk.

 

Anyway, I'm not fishing for answers; I'm just pointing out the P & T may threaten to reveal secrets, but they really aren't doing so. Which I guess is a good thing for magic, but a little less satisfying for me. ;)

Edited July 31, 2014 by A Boston Gal

[FormerMod-a1]

I changed the title and synopsis.  You can continue to discuss the episode that just aired in the US here.

[opus]

This was my first introduction to the show; interesting that during the intro Penn says something like, "if you can fool us, you go to Vegas - if not, we reveal how your trick was done." But really, the acts they can figure out (aside from the trick die), they really DIDN'T reveal (at least to my novice capabilities to understand) exactly how it was done. I guess you magician folk out there can figure it out how they pulled them off, but I really didn't understand -- although the trunk one had something to do with the girl either already IN the trunk..but more likely, behind the backdrop that was wheeled out to hide the trunk.

Anyway, I'm not fishing for answers; I'm just pointing out the P & T may threaten to reveal secrets, but they really aren't doing so. Which I guess is a good thing for magic, but a little less satisfying for me. ;)

This was my first introduction to the show; interesting that during the intro Penn says something like, "if you can fool us, you go to Vegas - if not, we reveal how your trick was done." But really, the acts they can figure out (aside from the trick die), they really DIDN'T reveal (at least to my novice capabilities to understand) exactly how it was done. I guess you magician folk out there can figure it out how they pulled them off, but I really didn't understand -- although the trunk one had something to do with the girl either already IN the trunk..but more likely, behind the backdrop that was wheeled out to hide the trunk.

Anyway, I'm not fishing for answers; I'm just pointing out the P & T may threaten to reveal secrets, but they really aren't doing so. Which I guess is a good thing for magic, but a little less satisfying for me. ;)

Thanks for clarifying my thoughts. Makes it easier for me. (Ooops. Didn't mean to quote twice). Edited August 1, 2014 by GaryE

[LostWithoutDVR]

What was the deal with the die in the first trick? I missed what was said. 

 

I know it's taboo to reveal magician's tricks, but as a viewer I felt like I had very little payoff. I wanted to know the secret!! I feel that the magicians who go on the show are signing up for that risk. 

[opus]

That there was no number one on the dice. So the basic trick is"forcing" the persons phone into envelope 1.

[jhlipton]

For Daniel Madison, they said that he had done something that only one other magician had pulled off - I think it was the substitution.  So there was a"sort-of" reveal for that one, as well as the no-1 die (the forcing was done well, the fake die wasn't.  He should have done a switch after the trick.

 

I'm not sure about Strange & Young.  Penn asked if they, as Penn and Teller, could do the trick the same way, and I thought S&Y said yes (thereby ruling out both methods from The Prestige -- LOL).

[A Boston Gal]

For Daniel Madison, they said that he had done something that only one other magician had pulled off - I think it was the substitution.  So there was a"sort-of" reveal for that one, as well as the no-1 die (the forcing was done well, the fake die wasn't.  He should have done a switch after the trick.

 

I'm not sure about Strange & Young.  Penn asked if they, as Penn and Teller, could do the trick the same way, and I thought S&Y said yes (thereby ruling out both methods from The Prestige -- LOL).

I thought Penn's question referred to his size: so, even if they knew the steps to take, could P&T physically pull it off? At least, that's how I read it...as I said in my previous post, I'm a real magic novice, so I have no true clue what Penn was intimating with that Q. And, like LostWithoutDVR, I wanted more of a risk for the magicians if they lost. I'm not saying spell it out for us, but toss us a bone, willya?

[SomethingClever]

Yeah, I think the intro was poorly done. They aren't really going to fully reveal the tricks (nor should they, in my opinion), they're going to vaguely hint at it. Penn and Teller are pros who care about the history of magic, and they're not going to expose somebody's act unless that person really pisses them off. They're generally pretty vague unless the performer pushes back and wants to dance around a technicality, then they'll be more blunt about it. Also, a lot of these acts are using classical techniques, and in revealing them it's not just that act you're exposing, but the whole magical community. There's a difficult balance to strike when you're talking about magical methods on national TV (which is why that intro is a problem, it definitely promises too much).

 

That said:

 

Penn doesn't say that only one other magician does the move that Madison used, he says he's only seen one other magician do it as well. It's actually a fairly common move for card mechanics, just one that is notoriously difficult to do well. It's a common enough move (even to public knowledge) that you have probably heard of it.

 

For Young and Strange, I don't do stage illusions, so I can only speculate. When Penn asks "if we knew all the details and all the moves, could we do that trick?", they say "thank you very much", the implication being "no you couldn't, and you've got us". So, I don't know for sure, but I'd think The Prestige.

[opus]

I

Yeah, I think the intro was poorly done. They aren't really going to fully reveal the tricks (nor should they, in my opinion), they're going to vaguely hint at it. Penn and Teller are pros who care about the history of magic, and they're not going to expose somebody's act unless that person really pisses them off. They're generally pretty vague unless the performer pushes back and wants to dance around a technicality, then they'll be more blunt about it. Also, a lot of these acts are using classical techniques, and in revealing them it's not just that act you're exposing, but the whole magical community. There's a difficult balance to strike when you're talking about magical methods on national TV (which is why that intro is a problem, it definitely promises too much).

 

That said:

 

Penn doesn't say that only one other magician does the move that Madison used, he says he's only seen one other magician do it as well. It's actually a fairly common move for card mechanics, just one that is notoriously difficult to do well. It's a common enough move (even to public knowledge) that you have probably heard of it.

 

For Young and Strange, I don't do stage illusions, so I can only speculate. When Penn asks "if we knew all the details and all the moves, could we do that trick?", they say "thank you very much", the implication being "no you couldn't, and you've got us". So, I don't know for sure, but I'd think The Prestige.

I've never seen The Prestige. Does it involve the concept of twins?

[SomethingClever]

I've never seen The Prestige.

 

You should rectify that. It's really, really good.

[opus]

You should rectify that. It's really, really good.

You're going to make me see it? Not gonna answer my question?>insert smiley face<

[SomethingClever]

Well, you've placed me in a position where whatever I answer (other than just not answering), I'm basically spoiling a movie I both love and highly recommend going into unspoiled :P. At any rate, you've forced my hand. As you've likely surmised, the answer is yes. 

[jhlipton]

I've never seen The Prestige. Does it involve the concept of twins?

 

As SomethingClever says, "yes".  But also "No".

You really should see it -- it's a great movie.  I just wish that the two main actors didn't look so much alike (one of them should have been blond, I think).  It was hard sometimes figuring out who was doing what to whom.

[Latverian Diplomat]

I know it's taboo to reveal magician's tricks, but as a viewer I felt like I had very little payoff. I wanted to know the secret!! I feel that the magicians who go on the show are signing up for that risk.

Very few magicians invent wholly new tricks. So full exposure would hurt other magicians who didn't sign up for the show but use the same techniques. Also, they need quality acts, and very few working magicians would risk their best trick in that way. 

 

Having watched a few of the original British episodes, the "contestants" seem to fall into one of two categories. First there are the magicians performing very clever and polished versions of fairly standard tricks. They tend to  need very little convincing that P&T have their number. In fact, they seem to be there more for the free advertising and the experience of being on TV and meeting P&T. The last two acts in this episode fall into this category, I think.

 

Then there are the magicians who have really come up with something original that they are fairly confident about. P&T usually test a couple of quick theories and then concede with enthusiasm. Mathieu Bich is an example of this.

 

The one exception to this pattern I've seen so far was Mark Shortland, who was clearly in the first category but seemed to be trying to bluff his way through. When Penn asked to examine the die, he should have had the good grace to fold right there. It was a little uncomfortable.

 

While P&T have been controversial with some for exposing some tricks, they tend to limit this to widely known "secrets" like when they did Cups and Balls with transparent cups, or for an original trick where the exposure was built into the conception from the beginning, like "Blast Off":

 

 

IMHO, they do care about the profession and are not doing harmful, wholesale exposure. (Some magicians are very opposed to any exposure at all and would disagree).

Edited August 11, 2014 by The Crazed Spruce
Fixed YouTube tags

[opus]

Well, you've placed me in a position where whatever I answer (other than just not answering), I'm basically spoiling a movie I both love and highly recommend going into unspoiled :P. At any rate, you've forced my hand. As you've likely surmised, the answer is yes. 

 

Don't worry. As hinted in a few posts above, and my small knowledge of magic, I kinda knew. It all started a long time ago when some magician had a TV special, and the major trick, if I remember right, was instantaneously transporting a soap opera actress from LA To NYC.  It was exciting news in certain parts of the internet to find out the actress had a twin sister.

 

I thought Penn's question referred to his size: so, even if they knew the steps to take, could P&T physically pull it off? At least, that's how I read it...as I said in my previous post, I'm a real magic novice, so I have no true clue what Penn was intimating with that Q. And, like LostWithoutDVR, I wanted more of a risk for the magicians if they lost. I'm not saying spell it out for us, but toss us a bone, willya?

If you really want to see tricks revealed, track down the series Breaking the Magicians Code: Magics Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed. They show it all.

[FormerMod-a1]

Will add descriptions and original air date and episode number when they become available.

 

 

This was the special that aired on 2011-01-07, before the series began.

Edited August 13, 2014 by aquarian1
updated original episode info

[A Boston Gal]

Thanks for your sleuthing, aquarian1.  I'm sure this show is going to be trickier than most to keep track of the schedule, considering that it's several years old.

[opus]

Not the right episode. That said, the beginning of the show explained the concept MUCH better than last week. I enjoyed the quasi fight with the last guy. And I can't believe they left Georgi dead.

Edited August 7, 2014 by GaryE

[Latverian Diplomat]

Not the right episode. That said, the beginning of the show explained the concept MUCH better than last week. I enjoyed the quasi fight with the last guy. And I can't believe they left Georgi dead.

I'm not watching these live, but it sounds like this is from the original special, not the 8 episode run. They must have cut that down to fit an (American) hour?

 

The last guy was a case where having a separate offstage judge (who apparently gets shown how the tricks really work) saved everyone a lot of grief.

 

I agree about the ending of the Georgi trick, but I concede that's a matter of taste. I would have preferred if they brought her out for a curtain call  or something. I wonder if they do do that in the live show?

Edited August 7, 2014 by Latverian Diplomat

[jhlipton]

I agree that leaving Georgi sawn in two was a bit much. It seemed to lack a closing bit.

I noticed the guy in the last act did 2 suspicious things -- very sloppy shuffles (probably to lure P&T off-track) and he rubbed his hands together 2 or 3 times. That seemed odd to me.

[SVNBob]

As I told my mother: They had to leave her there.  Otherwise, it would have spoiled the joke.

 

That said, I did like their misdirection technique of telling the audience one way the trick is done while actually doing it another way.

[SomethingClever]

This would have been a much better episode to start with. I wonder why they chose to show it second.

 

I don't recall ever seeing Ali Cook from when I watched the series on youtube. I really enjoyed that routine.

 

Michael Vincent might have the smoothest hands in magic. I love watching him work. I do close-up card magic, and watching him is inspirational. The transformations of the aces are just beautiful. I know what he's doing, but I can't in a million years make it look as good as he does. 

 

I adore John Archer's routine. The scripting is so clever, and I love the fact that something which seems so simple fooled P&T. Makes me laugh every time I see it.

 

Earl kind of got off on a technicality. I love his style and there are pieces of that routine I'm not 100% sure of, but P&T knew the bulk of how that trick worked, and I think he knew that.

[A Boston Gal]

Yes, Penn did NOT look happy that the last act "fooled" them, but at least it showed us there was a system set up that a third party can make the final call. I wonder if that magician really did make it to Vegas?

 

Speaking of winning acts going to Vegas, does anyone here know if they all ened up going over? Was there one big show that P&T produced that featured the winning contestants of this show?

 

And, I agree with you, Gary E, that the show's rules were explained better. No threats to ruin a magician's act by exposing all the secrets.

Edited August 7, 2014 by A Boston Gal

[Latverian Diplomat]

Yes, Penn did NOT look happy that the last act "fooled" them, but at least it showed us there was a system set up that a third party can make the final call. I wonder if that magician really did make it to Vegas?

 

Speaking of winning acts going to Vegas, does anyone here know if they all ened up going over? Was there one big show that P&T produced that featured the winning contestants of this show?

 

And, I agree with you, Gary E, that the show's rules were explained better. No threats to ruin a magician's act by exposing all the secrets.

This show has a long pilot episode (six acts) which tonight's CW episode was drawn from. This was shown in the UK in Jan, 2011. Then there was an 8 episode series starting in June 2011. The two winners from the pilot were shown touring and performing in Vegas in a brief featurette in the first regular episode. And, it's not like P&T are paying for any of this, so there's no reason to really renege on the deal.

 

FWIW, there's an act later on where it's clear how it was done, but due to a technicality in how Penn explains it, they skate through. They are probably the least deserving recipients of the "fooled us" crown.

[A Boston Gal]

Thanks for the more detailed explanation, Latverian Diplomat;  I'll keep an eye out for the not-so-deserving "winner" act!

 

ETA: I found a clip of this episode's two acts in Vegas! :) 

Edited August 7, 2014 by A Boston Gal

[SomethingClever]

A couple of the later acts get by because they do pretty obvious feints that look like a move but aren't, leading P&T to guess that they made a switch (or whatever) when they didn't. It's technically bad routining, because you'd never want to do something sneaky if it isn't necessary, unless you're trying to mislead other magicians. So they get by, and while it's not cheating, it's kind of counter to the spirit of the thing.

[Latverian Diplomat]

A couple of the later acts get by because they do pretty obvious feints that look like a move but aren't, leading P&T to guess that they made a switch (or whatever) when they didn't. It's technically bad routining, because you'd never want to do something sneaky if it isn't necessary, unless you're trying to mislead other magicians. So they get by, and while it's not cheating, it's kind of counter to the spirit of the thing.

That may be true, but there's one case in particular where an act more or less gets busted and more or less lawyers their way through. We can discuss that in more detail if and when they appear in this run. Suspense! :-)

[Taeolas]

Rewatching this ep again. The second one that "Fooled them" with the deck of cards, the second half I think P&T knew how he did it, and I think there were some false shuffles or at least a lot of fake cuts. (I'm not familiar with the terminology, I just love watching Magic and trying to figure it out so my explanations are probably wrong).  

All three Aces he flipped were from the top of the deck, his cuts were non-cuts save for the last which was on the top, and when he did cut for real, he kept that top card close at finger

Now the first half, stacking the deck to get the aces in place was quite slick.

Though his first few shufflings were face up so he can put the aces where he wants, and the first was flipped immediately from that.

. All in all, he was pretty slick, I'll give him that, but his act wasn't really that foolworthy. I wonder if there was a terminology disconnect or something? 

 

The other card act that didn't get throuhg IMO was more impressive, even if P&T saw it completely. 

 

Now the Envelope trick, that was impressive. With the camera cuts it's a bit hard to track everything, and he did put his envelope into his pocket quickly after the reveal (as normal). I have no clue how he could make sure the right envelope had the pounds in it (and not a fake 0pound note as well). 

 

Georgi, I'm stumped. I'd almost say there was a camera cut there for her to slip out. She looks like she's actually slid back under the saw itself (to make room for the false middle) but there doesn't seem to be enough time for her to slip out before they pull the tables apart. I could see her head and feet sliding into the box as they pull them apart, but there doesn't seem to be anything to hide her body under the saw itself any more. Then again with all the cut aways from the trick, it's hard to track it. 

[Ubiquitous]

When P&T made that cryptic question whether they could do Y&S's act, they meant it was done using twins.

[marketdoctor]

 

Georgi, I'm stumped.

I can help you out here-spoilered jut in case.  I *think* it was on one of the Masked Magician shows, though.

 

She folds into the front part of the box. It’s deeper than it looks, and she’s agile—it’s one of reasons the woman sawed in half is almost always in good shape. The legs are fake, and move with either a lever, string, or even a small motor--since the legs moved back as the torso was pulled out, I'm thinking string. She turns her head to make it less obvious that she’s in the front part, and sometimes they even hold her head/neck steady so she doesn’t give that part away.

In the Penn & Teller trick, the torso is fake, and a nice misdirection. They might have lied about her height, and heels might make it seem less likely she’d fit but could still fold up into the top part.

 

That or Penn & Teller are really hoping for diplomatic immunity.

 

I’d have liked to see an audience vote, where the best magician got sent to Vegas each week.  That first card magician guy was so smooth he deserved a trip.

[opus]

That 's one flaw I see in the show Even if you're really good, if two guys who have been in the business 40 years know how you did it, you don't get the gig.

[marketdoctor]

Also, important safety tip:  swallowing a balloon sword looks like a comedy bit, but it can be SUPER dangerous.  Balloon-animal balloons are a VERY serious choking hazard, so do NOT try that at home unless someone in the room other than you is ready to do an emergency tracectomy.  There might well be a safe way to do the trick; please learn what that is before you attempt it or die.

 

It's one of those rare occasions where faking is MORE dangerous than doing it for real.

[FormerMod-a1]

Since it was so confusing to figure out based on info available ahead of time (or the lack thereof), I have changed the episode numbers and air dates to follow the US info.  See pinned post here for more info.  Carry on!

[FormerMod-a1]

Description: Magicians High Jinx, Jon Allen, Graham Jolley and James More try to fool the veteran duo.

 

.

.

.

 

I think this was S01/E01 aired on 2011-06-18 in the original UK run.

[Latverian Diplomat]

Looks like episode one plus they're adding in an act they cut from the CW airing of the pilot special. I suspect they will cut the footage of John Archer and Benjamin Earl in Vegas to make room for this extra act. If so, that's a reasonable choice.

[opus]

1) Hi Jinx was so gosh darn adorable I was hoping P&T would just lie and say, "Nope, no idea".

2) My onscreen guide did indeed say-- NEW. Original airdate 6/18/11.

[marketdoctor]

High Jinx were awesome--it's a semi-classic trick, but they have stage presence.

 

Generally, whoever screens the acts is doing a MUCH better job than other talent shows I've seen.

 

 

My onscreen guide did indeed say-- NEW. Original airdate 6/18/11

 

I don't know why, but that's going to make me smile all day.  I wonder if this show would work better on a Saturday; it's got that going to a club feel, but ratings tend to be lower on the weekends (and AFAIK the CW doesn't do weekend network programs).

 

The card trick guy was incredible; I too thought he used a bank of cards (and I liked his "that's an idea for next time!" approach.  He was genuinely afraid they'd get it.)

 

Also, Teller with the diagrams was a great way to do the reveal--eating one, flash-papering another.

 

The guy who got seriously squished has a harder time, because the table he used looked a lot like the one from the (in the US showing) previous week.  It'd be awesome if that's NOT how it's done, and he does a fake reveal similar to Penn & Teller.  Also, as they note, he "did" the trick himself, which is a classy move.

 

The warning about danger magic is important (also true for the needle trick, though--don't try that--ever.)  The guy did the trick well, but people have died from doing the Magic Bullet Trick wrong.  Even David Copperfield has been injured doing a trick.  As Jack Handey said in another context, "Be-zerk but be careful."

[A Boston Gal]

 

 

Nothing to see here..... <innocent whistle>

Edited August 14, 2014 by A Boston Gal

[Latverian Diplomat]

High Jinx were awesome--it's a semi-classic trick, but they have stage presence.

 

Generally, whoever screens the acts is doing a MUCH better job than other talent shows I've seen.

 

 

I don't know why, but that's going to make me smile all day.  I wonder if this show would work better on a Saturday; it's got that going to a club feel, but ratings tend to be lower on the weekends (and AFAIK the CW doesn't do weekend network programs).

 

The card trick guy was incredible; I too thought he used a bank of cards (and I liked his "that's an idea for next time!" approach.  He was genuinely afraid they'd get it.)

 

Also, Teller with the diagrams was a great way to do the reveal--eating one, flash-papering another.

 

The guy who got seriously squished has a harder time, because the table he used looked a lot like the one from the (in the US showing) previous week.  It'd be awesome if that's NOT how it's done, and he does a fake reveal similar to Penn & Teller.  Also, as they note, he "did" the trick himself, which is a classy move.

 

The warning about danger magic is important (also true for the needle trick, though--don't try that--ever.)  The guy did the trick well, but people have died from doing the Magic Bullet Trick wrong.  Even David Copperfield has been injured doing a trick.  As Jack Handey said in another context, "Be-zerk but be careful."

High Jinx were so delightful. One of things I like about this show is that acts that go in with little chance of passing through (because they are doing a classic trick) are still entertaining, warmly received, and duly praised.

 

Yes, the screening for this show was very well done. This is one format that benefits from not having to fill a 22 episode season.

 

I like their stance that any trick with a non-negligible risk of injury is unethical. In the age of youtube this seems especially important. In one episode they do a trick with a nail gun and Penn does emphasize even more than usual that "this is not what it looks like, we are tricking you".

[MsTree]

Is there a spoiler thread for this topic?  It appears that some posters actually know how the illusions (not card tricks) are done, and I'd like to know too.

Edited August 15, 2014 by MsTree

[jhlipton]

High Jinx were awesome--it's a semi-classic trick, but they have stage presence.

 

The card trick guy was incredible; I too thought he used a bank of cards (and I liked his "that's an idea for next time!" approach.  He was genuinely afraid they'd get it.)

 

Also, Teller with the diagrams was a great way to do the reveal--eating one, flash-papering another.

Agree about High Jinx and the diagrams.

For the not-a-bank guy, it looked like tthe way he was dealing was purposely sloppy, which would make it easier to sneak a car into the proper position.

[FormerMod-a1]

Description: Damien O'Brien, David Masters, and Soma try to fool the verteran duo.

 

 

 

 

Original Airdate 2011-07-02, S01.E03

[marketdoctor]

This was my worst week for being fooled, with the exception of "pick a number"/"7"/"great, this trick will look impressive."

 

I loved Piff the Magic Dragon, with both the "Perhaps you know my more famous brother.  Steve."  And the sneeze.  And also a well-done trick.

[Latverian Diplomat]

Was Alan Hudson in the CW edit of this episode? Because his trick, while well performed, seemed to have a more obvious explanation than usual.

[FormerMod-a1]

I'm bad with names since I only half watched, I only paid attention during the tricks.  So what was his trick (w/o explanation of how)?  Was it slight of hands?  card trick?  disappearing act? etc