Meanwhile, in America's Got Talent...

[Jester]

I don't know which annoyed me more watching one magician on last week's show (which I'm watching a week late): the fact that he pronounced spades as "spates," or the fact that he did a trick that I could do.

That being said, he did have a nice twist on it, and very clean, easy presentation.

[Lurking Sockpuppet]

I quit watching after Steve Starr, The Regurgitator performed. He has been doing that act professionally for many years. He has also been on Britons got talent. I first saw his act 20 years ago at Ripley's believe it or not.

[Jester]

So I'm a bit behind on my AGT watching. Currently watching episode 4. And they just had on the magician, Aiden Sinclair, the one who had been in prison and had turned his life around.

Now, as y'all know from season past, I'm here to give you my impressions of the magicians, as one myself. For those who missed it, Aiden flipped a card in the deck, put the deck back in the box, had Howie hold the closed deck, and then had Howard call his mother (Howard's mother, not the magician's) and ask her to think of and then name any card at all. She did, at which point Aiden took the closed deck from Howie, opened up the box, pulled the deck out, and immediately, slowly, and deliberately fan the deck, showing the one flipped card, face down in a deck that was all face up. And it was indeed the card Howard's mother named.

Good trick, right? Impressed? I hope so. It was impressive. And I know you're wondering, did I know how he did it? The answer is, yes. Yes I did. Not only did I know how he did it, but I thought it was such a good trick that I've actually been performing a variation on it for the last 15 years. (Yeah, chew on that one, kids. Lol!)

This is not bitter, mind you. I'm impressed that he did this particular trick. It was well done. And while I'd like to say I could have gone up on stage at AGT and done the same trick--and I could have, no boasting necessary--I also know that I wouldn't have had a good follow up for that trick. Not one that would play well on national TV. At least, I don't think so.

So, props to Aiden....and I really hope he has something great for his next go round.

[Jetfire]

The first Selection round happened last week, and I really like the new format for it, even with the guest judges. (Frankly, I hope they can snag Neil for a permanant slot with Howard leaving). No more performing in an empty theatre for the chance to go on.

They had two magicians on back to back, and hte difference was night and day. They basically did the same trick, but the first one was clearly nervous and IMO didn't really pull off the trick well at all.

On the other hand, Piff performed second, he's very comfortable with crowds, and pulled off a similar trick with his usual smoothness and "I don't care where I am" attitude. Really glad he's going on. Loved him since the first time I saw him on Fool Us; and his "I don't give a damn" attitude is one of the best elements of his act. (Not one I want to see other acts follow, but it's so unique to him, it all just works)

[mjr]

Good trick, right? Impressed? I hope so. It was impressive. And I know you're wondering, did I know how he did it? The answer is, yes. Yes I did. Not only did I know how he did it, but I thought it was such a good trick that I've actually been performing a variation on it for the last 15 years. (Yeah, chew on that one, kids. Lol!)

Yeah, that does sound impressive.

I figured out how it's done. I won't give anything away, but this is one I'm definitely going to use in the future...