Criss Angel Continues To Embarass The Magic Community

[SHANE BLACK]

i just saw believe last night, and to be honest i didn't think it was that bad. I mean, the magic wasn't as good as id thought and there wasn't as much as id expected but overall i enjoyed it.
I think a lot of people on this forum, and im talking more about people who have not seen believe, are just gonna agree with others and assume its terrible cause they don't like criss angel and thats stupid.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's stupid to base an opinion on a topic of something thats been saturated with facts from honest reviewers such as yourself and wonder am I wasting my money and time on a show that was meant to get you there based off Angels and the circus's name. As in anything there are good things and bad but most reviewers that have posted are non-biased and have nothing to gain from bagging on the pre-madonna. You say it wasn't what you where expecting then in the same breathe you say it's stupid to base a decision off yours or anyone elses opinion. Hmmm. Then why review any show or product at all?

I don't have anything against Criss except for a few which I won't get into right now but with higher expectations of entertainment you have to deliver thats life. Welcome to it.

 

[herdman14]

Perhaps so, but in the public light, he still won. You make it sound like he picked on a girl because he lost.

And personally, I think that someone so obviously dimwitted (Miss California) deserved to be called out on it.

It's a beauty pageant.

 

[herdman14]

So let me get this strait Herdman; Calling someone names, calling them out during the production (all-be-it end of the production), generally acting like a jerk, and having an ego that is larger than the shows production budget, and being responsible for one of the most god awful magic shows working in Vegas to date, somehow doesn't qualify Criss as a disappointment to the industry he works within?

I'd choose your words in your reply post very carefully had I be you. You are dangerously close to sounding a bit too much like a fan, and less like a magician. That is if you want to save face.

It doesn't matter if the person Criss verbally assaulted was Perez Hilton or Prez Obama. The fact is, as a showman, you don't do that kind of thing. It's unprofessional. When you play the game at his level EVERYTHING you do, and say is subject to the public eye and opinion. Criss is a role model to some younger magicians and this sort of thing sends the wrong message.

The rules of the stage don't change just because you've upgraded your production budget by several million dollars.

Not only is his over priced Las Vegas show a huge let down, apparently so is he.

I see no need to choose my words as you've already put them in my mouth.

 

[DannyT]

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's stupid to base an opinion on a topic of something thats been saturated with facts from honest reviewers such as yourself and wonder am I wasting my money and time on a show that was meant to get you there based off Angels and the circus's name. As in anything there are good things and bad but most reviewers that have posted are non-biased and have nothing to gain from bagging on the pre-madonna. You say it wasn't what you where expecting then in the same breathe you say it's stupid to base a decision off yours or anyone elses opinion. Hmmm. Then why review any show or product at all?

I don't have anything against Criss except for a few which I won't get into right now but with higher expectations of entertainment you have to deliver thats life. Welcome to it.

Well, I think Nikki was getting at that a lot of magicians who didn't like Criss reviewed the show and told everyone it was bad. Therefore they take their word for it and spread "the word" around without actually having an opinion themselves because they never saw it, but they know they hate CA so they must hate the show as well.

What I don't understand is how Criss's show turned out like garbage.
I was talking to some older friends a few days ago about his new show. They said it was really bad and that he did a much better job in Manhattan when he was doing shows before all his fame.

I never saw the show, and these people weren't magicians, so you know it's not a biased opinion. But why would he downgrade? You have to know that your show sucks if it constantly gets bad reviews.
Why wouldn't you say to yourself, "Hey, let me get back to doing my old stage tricks, cause this isn't working out so well."

Either he's in denial or his ego is too big to realize he's an ass.

 

[Randy]

His ego ha pretty much evolved over the course of his career. He said in an interview that Critics are just people who are jealous. Which is a rather stupid thing to say.

 

[SHANE BLACK]

Well, I think Nikki was getting at that a lot of magicians who didn't like Criss reviewed the show and told everyone it was bad. Therefore they take their word for it and spread "the word" around without actually having an opinion themselves because they never saw it, but they know they hate CA so they must hate the show as well.

What I don't understand is how Criss's show turned out like garbage.
I was talking to some older friends a few days ago about his new show. They said it was really bad and that he did a much better job in Manhattan when he was doing shows before all his fame.

I never saw the show, and these people weren't magicians, so you know it's not a biased opinion. But why would he downgrade? You have to know that your show sucks if it constantly gets bad reviews.
Why wouldn't you say to yourself, "Hey, let me get back to doing my old stage tricks, cause this isn't working out so well."

Either he's in denial or his ego is too big to realize he's an ass.

I hear you. To answer your question on the downgrade situation. Have you ever heard the saying, "Your a victim of your own success"?

Well my friend he has been a slave to his own success. Think about it for one sec. No cranes, camera tricks, confederates can help you in a live show one on one. What the audience sees is what they get. Sure it can be argued that live performances can be made to look like real miracles like Cyril, Copperfield, etc; but what he promotes is beyond reality and into the realm of spiritual masturbation. He wants everyone to believe he can levitate on a minutes notice completley surrounded then when the audience sees him live,.. it's a little bit more real and manufactured and its disappointing. Unless you penetrate the great wall five feet from the audiences nose they hate it. Us as magicians can appreciate a live show that has some technicality to it. A laymen wants a miracle from Criss on a minutes notice and unless they get it it's a bad show. Otherwords be careful what you promote and wish for after all Criss had no problem with pointing that out on phenomenom.

You reap what you sow and sometimes you just get the shaft. My prediction is Criss will have the show for another year or so then get cancelled and probably be regurgitating real secrets of magic on letterman while wondering where he went wrong with career and stake the failure on the casinos and their limitations.

Who knows,........we'll see.

 

[William Draven]

I see no need to choose my words as you've already put them in my mouth.

I apologize for the "choose your words wisely" crap. It's not an excuse, but It was early morning when I wrote that, I had not nearly enough sleep and was in a bit of a prickish mood. I'm afraid I came down a bit harshly on you and for no reason.

I could have easily made my point without putting that line in there. Sorry.

 

[popchris3]

I am unsure what to think. I feel that Criss can't be THAT bad of a guy if Penn and Teller, and Zigfried and Roy, and Lance Burton all like him.

And yet, all of this stuff is just proving that he has no respect for the art, like his show.

 

[Randy]

Penn saw his show and pretty much said it sucked.

 

[visualartist]

Penn did say that.
Im not so sure they like him much.Anyone can put a face on for the camera.

 

[Randy]

I think they might have been friends, but over the years they probably realized he was a douche and decided to break ties with him.

I did know that Amazing Jonathan said he enjoyed it. Tho he might have been looking at it through an entertainment thing. Penn said that it wasn't art, because art is supposed to make you want to create. While all this show did was make him want to take a shower.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

I don't consider this an embarassment to the Magic Community at all. Perez was apparently comped tickets and decided to tweet and text during the show knowing full well it would get back to Criss. If the producers want to issue an apology for the show sucking, fine, but I would issue one to Perez. I agree with Criss. Perez is the world's biggest d-bag a-hole. I think he further proved it with his self-serving question to Miss California the next night. He then goes on to call her a "B" on his website, apologize and then say in a later interview he only apologized for calling her a "B" because he really mean to call her a "C." This guy is a tool. He picks on someone his own size (Criss), gets called on it so the next night picks on a girl!?! Please....

Anyway, whether or not what Criss did was right or wrong, it did get his show some much needed press.

Strangely I must be getting old because I've never heard of this guy before. But yeah, that did kind of make me wonder why the guy is sitting there during a show "tweeting" (also new to my vocabulary) about how bad it is. He might as well have been heckling out loud. But no, this guy has style, he talks behind people's backs. I saw that Miss America question and his response to the answer and frankly it made me sick. What did he want her to do Lie for his cause? There are a lot of people out there that don't support gay marriage, at least she said she's proud that people get to choose. You are right the more I think about herdman. That guy needs to shut his mouth/tweet or he'll end up getting hurt.

 

[Deleted member 2755]

Believe me when I say Criss will soon be off TV before you know it. His stage show will probably have a similar fate.

-Doug

 

[Mystifier1]

Oh my god.

Well looks like Lamont's gotten so good at copying Criss that he became awful even before this came out.

Wow such a idiot. Its surprising how you "hate me" but I always seem stay on your mind.

 

[Steerpike]

I don't consider this an embarassment to the Magic Community at all. Perez was apparently comped tickets and decided to tweet and text during the show knowing full well it would get back to Criss. If the producers want to issue an apology for the show sucking, fine, but I would issue one to Perez. I agree with Criss. Perez is the world's biggest d-bag a-hole. I think he further proved it with his self-serving question to Miss California the next night. He then goes on to call her a "B" on his website, apologize and then say in a later interview he only apologized for calling her a "B" because he really mean to call her a "C." This guy is a tool. He picks on someone his own size (Criss), gets called on it so the next night picks on a girl!?! Please....

There was a time in society where a devastating wit was valued and being a provocateur was an acceptable pastime. It was a time when people weren't hypersensitive about everything.

Where did that mindset go?

Way I see it, if you're in the public eye and can't deal with some snobby socialite dissing you, consider retirement.

Anyway, whether or not what Criss did was right or wrong, it did get his show some much needed press.

I somehow doubt that will help the quality of the show any. Criss's messiah complex breeds only stagnation and stultification.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

Way I see it, if you're in the public eye and can't deal with some snobby socialite dissing you, consider retirement.


I somehow doubt that will help the quality of the show any. Criss's messiah complex breeds only stagnation and stultification.

I doubt it as well, was never a fan of Angel myself. As for dealing with some snobby socialite, it's a bit of a paradox considering people also used to have better manners and not ruin the show for the rest of the crowd. Honestly, if the guy next to me doesn't like the movie that gives him no right to start playing with his cell phone. Someone has got to put that kind of stuff in it's place. If it's not the guy next to him it might as well be the guy on stage.

[Added] Frankly, I wouldn't believe a word of what that gossip badger says based on his displays of self-pitying demeanor. If he claims that Angel called him (...) he was probably asked politely.

It reads like it is all based on hearsay from tweety. Was Norm Clarke actually there? Next thing you will hear is that Angel punched him in the face.

 

[Steerpike]

I doubt it as well, was never a fan of Angel myself. As for dealing with some snobby socialite, it's a bit of a paradox considering people also used to have better manners and not ruin the show for the rest of the crowd. Honestly, if the guy next to me doesn't like the movie that gives him no right to start playing with his cell phone. Someone has got to put that kind of stuff in it's place. If it's not the guy next to him it might as well be the guy on stage.

I beg to differ. Using your phone during a show? Rude as hell. The star of the show throwing a temper tantrum over it in front of the whole crowd? Unprofessional and wholly unacceptable.

If I'm the guy sitting in the audience, let me be the one to deal with the cell phone twits. I've nearly gotten kicked out of theaters twice for snapping at people being rude during a movie.

But when I'm the performer, I have to be more gracious.

"Forgive your enemies. Nothing infuriates them more."
-Oscar Wilde.

 

[mini magician]

Haha and reading the second article about what he said wow.
Perez cut him down so bad infront of a MASSIVE audience.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

I beg to differ. Using your phone during a show? Rude as hell. The star of the show throwing a temper tantrum over it in front of the whole crowd? Unprofessional and wholly unacceptable.

If I'm the guy sitting in the audience, let me be the one to deal with the cell phone twits. I've nearly gotten kicked out of theaters twice for snapping at people being rude during a movie.

But when I'm the performer, I have to be more gracious.

"Forgive your enemies. Nothing infuriates them more."
-Oscar Wilde.

Okay, that makes complete sense to me. The thing is, there seems to be a lack of witnesses in person at the crime scene. I find it hard to believe the type of person that tries to make himself known on his tweeters. For all we know, the guy could be a complete liar just trying to start some trouble.

 

[nexusmagic]

Good news everyone, from a vegas source rss feed yesturday part of the poster for believe was torn down. Impending doom???? Sources say yes.

Also MJM and cirque issued an apologie to Perez.