Is there a better way to wrap up the "Late Night with David Letterman"  Close-up Magic Week than by talking with some of the people that were there.   Our special guest on this episode of This Week in Magic is the Millionaire's Magician, Mr. Steve Cohen.   To help Steve discuss the Letterman experience, we've also invited Theory 11's Jonathan Bayme and our own David Kaye to join us, both of which helped performers involved in this week of magic including Steve and Michael Ammar.  We are also joined at the end of our chat by a surprise guest who also performed on Letterman this week. What would you do if you were invited to perform on Letterman?  Find out what our guests recommend on this episode of the podcast!

This has been a busy week for magic on network television. The CBS Late Show host David Letterman has been featuring close-up magic by some of the top performers in the field. On Moday he featured the seventh appearance by Jason Randal. On Tuesday, John Carney brought his unique performance style to the show. On Wednesday, the amazing Johnny Ace Palmer worked with everything from yellow yarm to baby chicks. Tonight we will see what the Millonaire's Magician Steve Cohgen brings to the table. Steve will be our fetured guest on the next episode of This Week in Magic and will be joined by Dan White and Jonathan Bayme to discuss magic as presented in this format! 

The 2010 Canadian Magician of the year, Shawn Farquhar is our gest on this episode of the Magic Newswire's "This Week in Magic" podcast. In addition, we have a surprise guest join us from Scott Wells studio, Christoper Hart.  While Chase Goforth is lost somewhere in Mississippi, Cameron Ramsay and David Kaye manage to maintain their places as co-hosts on the show and deliver another outstanding episode.  Shawn talks about the loss of his mentor before we move into a discussion on creativity and modern mentorship in within the magic community. 

On May 16th, Potter & Potter Auctions will host the fourth  auction of "the never ending magic collection" of  Jay Marshall.  "The Rarities of Jay Marshall" auction contains some of the most interesting, rare and unique items to date. Inluded are pieces like the Fred Kap's rabbit producing cane which he used during his appearance on the Ed Sullivan show and which is picturedon the front of the catalog.  Gabe Fujari joins us on this Magic Newscast just after conducting a tour of the collection for Attendees at the 41st Annual Magic Collectors Association Conference.  Find out which hidden gems you might be interested in bidding on in this episode of the podcast!

Rudy Coby is back with a vengeance! After more than a decade away from magic, Rudy has returned to stage one of the most successful events in the history of the Magic Castle. For one week only the Magic Castle was transformed into a wild laboratory where Mad Scientists battle the World's Greatest Magicians. Featured performers included Chris Kenner, Brian Brushwood, Andrew Mayne, Marilyn Manson and many more. Rudy is best known for the character that he plays on stage. "Labman" is a Scientific Superhero who claims to be a strange invader from this very planet. His original magic creations have brought him worldwide success with appearances in dozens of different countries including two primetime Fox-TV specials Rudy Coby: The Coolest Magician On Earth here in the US. Rudy's renewed enthusiasm for magic is infectious and you are sure to rediscover your passion for the art after this episode of This Week in Magic. This is Part Two of our interview with "The Coolest Magician on Earth"

Rudy Coby is back with a vengeance! After more than a decade away from magic, Rudy has returned to stage one of the most successful events in the history of the Magic Castle.  For one week only the Magic Castle is transformed into a wild laboratory where Mad Scientists battle the World's Greatest Magicians. Featured performers included Chris Kenner, Brian Brushwood, Andrew Mayne, Marilyn Manson and many more. Rudy is best known for the character that he plays on stage. "Labman" is a Scientific Superhero who claims to be a strange invader from this very planet. His original magic creations have brought him worldwide success with appearances in dozens of different countries including two primetime Fox-TV specials Rudy Coby: The Coolest Magician On Earth here in the US.  Rudy's renewed enthusiasm for magic is infectious and you are sure to rediscover your passion for the art after this episode of This Week in Magic.

On this very special episode of the Magic Newswire's "This Week in Magic" podcast we celebrate two major landmarks with two amazing magicians.  We begin with Nathan Burton who just celebrated his second year at the Flamingo in Las Vegas and his 500th performance at that venue. In addition, he recently began a series of shows headlining in Atlantic City which he stages every other weekend. As we approach the end of his segment, Nathan arrives at the home of Mac King where a veritable who's who of magic was gathered to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Mac King at Harrah's.  Mac also gets in on the action with a phone call in between serving his guests. If you want to know  who David Kaye may spoof next in one of his YouTube videos or are curious as to what happened to Lance Burton's truck, then this is an episode that you won't want to miss.

On this edition of the Magic Newswire's Magic Newscast, John "Big Daddy Cool" Pyka reports from the ninteenth annual Battle of Magicians in Canton, Ohio.  Known for the dealer's "Hall of Fun," Hot Dog & Pizza eating contests and a tradition of free haircuts, teh Battle of Magicians attracts an outstanding cast of international magicians.  In the podcast, John interviews  event founder Tim Deremer, Woody Pitman, Mike Bishop, Michael P. Lair, Lion Flood, Jeff Hobson and Kalin & Jinger. 

We follow Scott Wells excellent on site coverage from ground zero of the 40th Anniversary incarnation of Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic by interviewing the gathering's founder and this year's Guest of Honor, Obie Obrien.  Obie  has been it's organizer since the inception of the FFFF. In 1993-1994 Obie served as the President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has served as a F.I.S.M. judge and currently runs their close-up shows. He was also the official Hockey scorer at the 1980 Olympic Games. Obie shares a bit of the back story of the event which this year attracted 22 FISM winners, magicians from 31 different states in the U.S., performers from 5 continents and 18 countries as well as 16 winners from major magic conventions.

Scott Wells wraps up his coverage of the 40th annual FFFF convention honoring Obie Obrien by interviewing Bob Reas, Ed Ripley, Richard Hatch, Rocco, Bob Sheets, Geoff Williams, Obie Obrien, Boris Wild, Raj Madhok, Babel, Rick Merrill, Paul Gertner, Paul Norman, Howie Schwartzman, Tim Ellis and Charming Choy.

On Day Three of FFF 2010, Scott Wells interviews Mark Fitzgerald, Marv Leventhal, Bill Malone, David Acer, Dan Garrett, Harry Monte, Rich Wilcox, Robert Jaegerhorn and gets a few jokes from Howie Schwartzman.

Scott Wells continues his interviews from the 40th Anniversary of Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic. In this episode he talks with with Shawn Farquhar,  Geoff Williams, Jep Hostetler, Eric DeCamps, Oscar Muno, Tim Ellis, Rick Wilcox, Rolando Sanos and many more of the magicians in attendance. 

Scott Wells brings Magic Newswire listeners to the 40th anniversary of Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic with daily interviews and reporting from the original closeup conference. In this episode, Scott chats with Richard Hatch,  Charlie Randall, Boris Wild, Tim Ellis, Mike Miller, Mark Desouza, Steve Bagatze, Roger Wicks, Rolando Santos, Brian Lancaster, John Luca, Gene Anderson, Obie Obrien and many more of  the attendees. Stay tuned for daily updates over the next few days and thanks to Scott for making this happen while attending this fantastic event!

Swedish card maestro Lennart Green has been baffling audiences for years with his chaotic style of magic. In 1991 he won the grand prize in close-up card magic from the International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM). He almost won at FISM in 1988 except for the fact that his act so fooled the judges that they were convinced that he had used stooges and disqualified him. His magic has taken him around the world and even led to his appearance on NBC's The World's Greatest Magic. I recently had the opportunity to meet Lennart when he was in Atlanta for the "Gathering for Gardner" and we discuss his interest in this unique gathering as well as his passion for magic in this episode of the "Spirit of Magic" podcast!

On the April 5th, 2010 episode of This Week in Magic we are joined by the latest addition to our panel of co-hosts, David Kay. David has just returned from the ninth annual Gathering For Gardner where he was joined by Lennart Green, Bill Kalush,  Joe Turner and many others for this invitation only conference.  In addition, this show provides the first opportunity that we have had to discuss the first annual Magic-Con with co-host Chase Goforth. Was it a success? What were the highlights and what were the low-lights?  Join us now to explore these unique gatherings on This Week in Magic!

Hypnotist Bill Gladwell sends in the latest of his Secret Order interviews for the Magic Newswire's "Magic Newscast."  In this episode he talks with magician and motivational speaker Jon Petz. While you might not know his name, Jon Petz is a busy corporate magician who has found a way to work true miracles, bringing magic to children facing serious illnesses and was profiled in the March issue of Magic Magazine.

On this episode of "This Week in Magic," we are joined by an international panel of magicians  including Luis DeMatos, David Britland and Marco Tempest. Why are they all together on one show? To announce the world's first ever web conference for magicians, "The Essential Magic Conference!"  Thirty three  speakers presented over three days of streamed live worldwide.  Speakers include Cyril Takayama, Apollo Robbins, Barry & Stuart, Eric Mead, De'Vo, Gazzo, Gene Matsuura, Guy Hollingworth, Lennart Green, Topas, Richard Mcdougall, Richard Wiseman, Stan Allen, Paulino Gil, Paul Kieve, Mike Caveney, Miguel Angel Gea, James Freedman, Helder Guimaraes, Jason England, Gaetan Bloom, Dani DaOrtiz, Bill Kalush, Jason England, Ponta the Smith and Max Maven. Get more information and register to attend at EssentialMagicConference.com. Access passes are limited.

David Williamson awoke one morning on his parents farm in Ohio and a cow was levitating out of the window. He looked down to see that she had already been milked. That's when he knew he would go into magic. Ever since that time, Dave has been trying to duplicate that feat.  Dave wanted you to know that as a child, he always wanted to be a professional magician. As an adult, David wants to be a doctor. For the past 20 years he has performed for every blue and gold banquet in America.  All kidding aside, David has done everything and been everywhere and has appeared on TV both nationally and internationally.  I was thrilled that David would take time from his busy schedule to visit with the listeners of the Magic Newswire's podcast and I am sure that you'll enjoy the journey that he takes us on in this episode.

On this episode of This Week in Magic,  we preview the first ever Magic-Con, the interactive conference for people that are serous about magic.  Magic-Con begins on Thursday March 18th.  Our guests on the show include conference presenters Daniel Garcia, "Handsome Jack"  John Lovick and Theory 11's Jonathan Bayme.  What is Magic-Con and why do we care?   Listen and you'll understand.

My guest on this episode of the Spirit of Magic podcast is legendary close-up and bar magician JC Wagner.  We cover everything from his days working the Disney Magic shop with Steve Martin to his time working the bar with Bob Sheets and Doc Eason.  JC also share some of history with Dai Vernon, Eddie Fecter and other legends of the west coast magic scene.  If you wanna work magic in the bar, there is no better teacher to learn from than the amazing JC Wagner.

Joanie Spina is our special guest on this episode of the podcast.  If you're not yet familiar with Joanie, she acts as a performance coach to magicians, jugglers, dancers, singers, clowns,  mimes, and actors.  She  offers a variety of services including theatrical direction, staging and/or choreography, individual performance coaching and promotional tape design and is best known to many as the co-director and choreographer for world renowned magician David Copperfield.  If your demo tape does more traveling than you do, then sit back and enjoy the expert opinions of a master magic coach on This Week in Magic!

Raised in Chicago, Bill Malone discovered magic after a visit to a magic shop when he was seventeen.  Little did he know that this would eventually lead him to become a pupil of the legendary Ed Marlo and that he'd become one of the most popular performers working the magic bar scene in the Windy City.  Bill i s a recipient of the Merlin Award and has been featured on many network magic television specials.  Today, Malone is known for his many creative contributions to classic bar magic and is recognized for his versions of  such effects as the bill in lemon, card under glass, and Sam the Bellhop. In this episode of the "Spirit of Magic Podcast," Bill talks about the many great magicians that have inspired him and the people that he works with today to keep the creative juices flowing.

We mix things up on this episode of This Week in Magic by inviting two totally different performers to join us on the podcast.  Doc Eason is one of the most expereinced bar magicians living today. He's performed in Snow Mass Colorado for more than 27 years, with a lengthy stint at John Denver's Tower Restaurant Magic Bar.  In addition, Doc was the recipient of the Academy of Magical Arts first every award for "Bar Magician of the Year"  in 2005. In 2008, they also named him Close-up Magician of the Year.   When he was 17, Levent was  awarded 1st Prize in the Stage Magic competition at the IBM National Convention. He never looked back, immediately taking a resort booking, performing on cruise ships and in theaters around the world. He is a noted creator of magic tricks and a magic lecturer as well as a vaudeville historian.  His most recent project is "Levent's Ultimate Guide to the Billiard Balls" in which he explores every aspect of this historic routine and recreates Cardini's famous presentation of the effect. 

Beating a Dead Horse is  a story of fathers and sons. It is laugh-out-loud funny, honest, touching, and offers revelations along the way. Jay's son, Alexander “Sandy” Marshall, spent more than three years researching and writing about his maverick father. Beating a Dead Horse chronicles Jay's journey from his staid middle class upbringing in Abington, Massachusetts to his memorable performances on Broadway, television (14 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show), New York's Palace Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, the London Palladium, opening for Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, traveling the world, and becoming the Dean of the Society of American Magicians. On this episode of "The Spirit of Magic," Sandy joins us to talk about his dad and the research that went into this book.

It's a quiet evening at the Magic Newswire with Chase Goforth and myself hosting our special guest on this episode, Denny Haney. A graduate of the Chavez College of magic, Denny returned to Vietnam to entertain the troops after serving three tours and being discharged.  He toured the world with a stage show and was one of the highest paying  magic acts in the country. In 1990, Denny retired from the road and opened  the Denny & Lee Magic Studio in Baltimore.  Over the years, I have had had a chance to talk with Denny on many and varied topic and have always been impressed with his frankness and his opinions on magic. I hope that you enjoy what is sure to be one of many chats that we'll have with Denny on "This Week in Magic!"

n Part 3 of Scott Wells reports and interviews from Blackpool 2010 we're treated to the final part of his interviews from day two with Magic Circle President Jack Delvin and Blackpool Magic Club president Alan Coventry.  We then move on to Day Three in which  Scott chats with Blackpool VIP show coordinator James Masson,  Tim Trono & Kathy Carini of Murphy's Magic Supplies, Banachek, Paul Nardini, the Blackpoole Kid's Show Champion Oscar Munoz, Keith Barry, Franz Harary, FISM International President Eric Eswin, my friend Brandon Burn from IrishMagicNews.com and previous Magic Newswire contributor, Hypnotist Andi Gladwin.

Scott Wells continues his reports from Blackpool 2010 by sending in interviews with Axel Hecklau, Paul Brooke, Mark Mason, Roy Zaltsman, Paul Stone, Magic Circle President Jack Delvin,Blackpool Magicians VP Andrew Green, club President Alan Coventry and everyone gathered at the Ruskin Hotel bar on Saturday Night.

Scott Wells continues his series of "Scott Signals"  as he and Banachek make their way to the UK for one of the biggest magic conventions in the world, Blackpool.  This is the first installment of his travel diary and interview series. In this episode Scott shares some of his experiences before the convention begins and then grabs some time for interviews from the dealer's room on day one with such people as Tim Trono, Hank Moorehouse, Levent,  Oscar Munoz, Ian Rowland,  Mathew Field &  James Clark.  Check back daily for new updates from Scott from Blackpool which takes place this year on February 19th, 20th & 21st.

Rick Roth produces some of the most unique and interesting effects and props for use in the performance of mentalism and bizarre magic. Beginning with his first release, "Homicide," Rick has made a name for himself and Outlaw Effects in the world of magic. In this episode of "The Spirit of Magic" podcast, Rick and I discuss his background, the history of Outlaw and the creative process with which he creates such amazing products. We also touch on some of the issues that can arise when trying to meet the demand for such unique products. Join Rick and I as we explore The Spirit of Outlaw Effects.

On the January 18th, 2010 episode of This Week in Magic, Scott Wells, Cameron Ramsay, Chase Goforth and I are joined by "one of the most feared intellectuals in magic" Jamy Ian Swiss. As it turns out, Scott was recording from the Houston area magicians annual holiday party and we're briefly joined by several other of the magicians in attendance. The result is one particularly interesting conversation between Jamy & Banachek. Is most of the magic on the market today crap? Is "Street Magic" a truly viable performance form or nothing more than a marketing gimmick to pass of mediocre material to the masses? These and may other are discussed on this episode of our weekly roundtable discussion.

Paul Draper delivers his second edition of the Draper Diaries for the Magic Newswire. Paul shares his thoughts, interviews with performers, musings and more as he explores the world of magic and mentalism from his home in Las Vegas and on the road around the world.

Paul Draper delivers his first edition of the Draper Diaries for the Magic Newswire. Paul will share his thoughts, interviews, musings and more as he explores the world of magic and mentalism from his home in Las Vegas. In this edition, Paul reports from the World Gaming Expo where he chats with Jackson Rayne before and after his Guiness World Record attempt for the straight jacket escape, Magician Eric Buss, performer Audrey Anderson and the International Association of Amusement Parks convention.

As we approach Magic Week at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, Neil Patrick Harris joins me for a second interview on the Magic Newswire podcast to discuss the 100th Anniversary of the mansion and "It's Magic 2009."  Why would anyone think that Neil would play down his interest in and connection to magic? What does he have to say about the resignation of Max Maven from the Castle staff? What is the future of the Magic Castle and his own interest in magic? All this and more will be revealed in this episode of the Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic" Podcast

What more is there to say other than it's Mr. Electric!  I am thrilled to welcome Marvyn Roy to the Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic" podcast! If for some strange reason, you don't already know,   Marvyn and Carol Roy performed the "Mr. Electric" Act for over fifty years. Mr. Electric toured the world during the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties. Marvyn & Carol were featured at  Radio City Music Hall, the London Palladium, the Latin Quarter, Gorki Park in Moscow, the Ed Sullivan Show and the Hollywood Palace. Whether working hotels, ice shows, floor shows, night clubs, theaters, arenas or amusement parks, Mr. & Mrs. Electric led a life that most magicians only dream of. 

Fresh from China where he served as a judge at FISM, magician Tim Ellis is my guest on this episode of the "Spirit of Magic" podcast. Tim talks about his career and how Asperger's Syndrome has impacted his magic. We also explore the importance of originality and storytelling in a performance.  From the perspective of a judge and frequent FISM attendee, Tim evaluates the overall quality of the magic at the Beijing FISM and talks about his philosophy when judging acts competing in what has become known as "The Olympics of Magic."  And of course...we discuss the controversy that has followed Shawn Farquhar's win of the FISM Grand Prix.

Paul Draper is an anthropologist, magician and mentalist. He has appeared with David Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Teller and as an expert on Magic for the History Channel. Paul has performed for the HBO Comedy Fest at Caesar's Palace, on Criss Angel’s Mindfreak on A&E, and on documentaries accompanying Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist. As an anthropologist and member of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Paul Draper pursues studies with Native American Ghost Dancers, South American cannibals, and Spiritualists. To top it all off, Paul will be the guest of honor this week at MagicCafe.com. please join Paul and I on this episode of the Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic Podcast."

In addition to starring on the CBS sitcom "How I met Your Mother," actor Neil Patrick Harris was elected to the board of the Magic Castle in 2008. As the first celebrity board member since Cary Grant, Neil has been spreading the magic word through appearances on various talk shows including The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Ellen Degeneres. In this interview, Neil shares his love of magic both old and new, his passion for the Magic Castle and talks about what changes to expect at the 2009 AMA Awards banquet in March.

On the Halloween Special of the Magic Newswire we talk with one of magician's favorite "non-magicians," the Amazing Johnathan.  Johnathan discusses his non-career in magic, the haunted house / party that he hosts each year in Las Vegas, his opinions on magic on television and talks about the Amazing Underground.  Robin Leach previewed Johnathan's Halloween party inhis column in Las Vegas Weekly in which he told readers to, "Expect to see his fellow magicians David Copperfield, Criss Angel, and Penn & Teller, along with such other Strip famous faces as Carrot Top among the crowd."