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Criss Angel exposes psychics on A&E

Questioninggeller

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48 - Sucker #2

Tuesday, July 31 10:00pm ET
Wednesday, August 1 2:00am ET

Last season, Criss introduced viewers to some of the biggest scams ever perpetrated. This time, Criss exposes even more scams as he becomes a certified psychic and divulges their secrets. He shows some common scams when he sticks friends with the bill at a restaurant and loses his expensive necklace unveiling the ultimate scam of all time. Then, Criss will reveal the ultimate secret, the words that unlock the key to attaining anything you desire: sex, riches and power.
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http://www.aetv.com/criss_angel/criss_episode_guide.jsp?episode=235829
 
I can't wait for the show where psychics expose his lame camera tricks and stooges.
 
Oh Boy! Criss Angel is gonna save us all! That sure is nice of him.
 
DJM said:
I can't wait for the show where psychics expose his lame camera tricks and stooges.
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Well the one BIG difference is that Chris Angel doesn't claim to have powers, where psychics do...
 
DJM said:
I can't wait for the show where psychics expose his lame camera tricks and stooges.
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Isn't the whole point of magic (as a profession) to use tricks to create magnificent illusions.

At least it's more fundamentally honest than psychics...
 
This is good to see - sounds very similar to what Derren Brown was doing in his 'Messiah' programme... de-bunking as entertainment.

It seems as if Angel is changing his focus somewhat. I'll be very interested to see how this develops.
 
I'd never before seen Mindfreak, or Chris Angel. While his style took some getting used to, I rather enjoyed the program. Enough so that I watched the follow-up episode. I had no problem with his "secret of life" bit, which was really to make a point about all those hucksters promising the same.

I'm sure it's been mentioned before, I wonder what the possibility is of getting him for a TAM.
 
Reager said:
I'm sure it's been mentioned before, I wonder what the possibility is of getting him for a TAM.
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Randi seems to chat with him from time to time and I think he does work mostly out of Vegas, so it doesn't sound unreasonable. But a large part of the community here seems to strongly dislike him. I don't understand if it is because of his style or whether there is something about his illusions that bothers people. I don't know much about magic, but I seem to hear a lot of complaints that he uses a lot of stooges. I'm under the impression that many feel that that is a cheap trick more than a legitimate illusion technique.
 
I'm still confused as to why the hell he is going to be on a show with Geller if he's into debunking...
 
MWare said:
Randi seems to chat with him from time to time and I think he does work mostly out of Vegas, so it doesn't sound unreasonable. But a large part of the community here seems to strongly dislike him. I don't understand if it is because of his style or whether there is something about his illusions that bothers people. I don't know much about magic, but I seem to hear a lot of complaints that he uses a lot of stooges. I'm under the impression that many feel that that is a cheap trick more than a legitimate illusion technique.
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That may be a legitimate criticism of him as a magician, but I don't see why it means he shouldn't be a speaker at TAM. He's young, popular, and is (hopefully) a skeptic, at least with regard to paranormal abilities. His involvement with TAM can only be a plus, IMO.
 
Criss Angel at TAM? I'd be even more motivated to attend.

Working with Uri Geller and doing a paranormal debunking show sounds like a zinger of a topic.
 
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With the intention to bring forth a unique and mysterious live competition series, NBC has recently inked a deal with Criss Angel, illusionist famed for Criss Angel: Mindfreak, and Uri Geller, known for his claimed psychic powers, to team up for a new series called Phenomenon.

Inspired by an Israeli version judged and monitored by Uri Geller, Phenomenon is a reality series that features an intensive search for the next generation mentalist. Each week, 10 hopeful mentalists must compete to demonstrate an extensive array of mystifying talents in front of weekly celebrity guests who participate along with a studio audience. While Geller and Criss Angel assess and evaluate the participants, viewers at home will determine the winner.
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From here.
 
DJM said:
I can't wait for the show where psychics expose his lame camera tricks and stooges.
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I don't think Angel's "camera tricks" are any different than some of Penn & Teller's camera usage. For example, P&T's act used to have the duo strapped upside down. Or what about when Penn drove over Teller in a 18 wheel truck? That was a camera angle illusion (as they revealed later).

Also Angel has Johnny Thompson, Banachek, and many others working on the show advising on magic. So if you have a problem with some of illusions there are plently other magicians involved to make his show happen.

Lastly, professional magicians don't seem to have a problem with him:

Criss Angel Named 2005 Magician of the Year
From Wayne Kawamoto

Criss Angel, creator and star of A&E's popular "CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK," was named 2005 Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) at a press event at Hollywood’s Magic Castle.
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Gay Blackstone told us that she has known Angel since he was eleven-years-old, and that he still owns the poster that was signed by her late, legendary husband, Harry Blackstone, Jr. "He is now the leading edge and the epitomy of magic,” said Blackstone. “We try to advance the art and the science of magic and he was the absolute perfect choice this year."
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http://magic.about.com/od/biosonfamousmagicians/a/2005magicyear.htm

VulcanWay said:
I'm still confused as to why the hell he is going to be on a show with Geller if he's into debunking...
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As noted elsewhere, Randi discusses this on the Paul Harris show. Listen at:

http://www.kmox.com/pages/2615.php

(Click on the upper right, "Paul Harris Show: James Randi")

I don't think Geller knew what he was getting into.
 
Good for him. I'm not a fan of his "Hot Topic" Magic style, but I'll tip my hat to anyone helping to out these frauds.
 
So has the show screened and has anyone here watched it?

Did Geller pretend to have powers and if so, what did Criss Angel say?
 
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