He's just a TV magician who couldn't perform anything impromtu or live.
He used to have a very successful off-broadway show, actually, also called "Mindfreak". That's where he was discovered, I believe (see what I did there?
). He's a good magician...he just let the fame inflate his ego far too much. As for the magic itself--I'd like to see anybody here come up with a season's worth of magic to fill a one-hour show...for multiple seasons, even.
I don't know why everyone bashes him the way they do...oh wait, he's successful, and they're not. If he's as big of an ass as everyone says he is, then don't watch his show, let his ratings slide, and bask in the glory of his getting canceled. *****ing and moaning won't get rid of him; in fact, I'm sure he loves the attention.
Just a note: I don't watch his show, I've never liked his super huge ego, etc, just like most who dislike Criss...yet, I don't hate the guy...he's good at what he does (and no, it's not the TV magic he does--it's that he can sell himself better than most), and I respect that. When a magician makes it big, I definitely respect that. If they let their ego get to them and fall from the top, that's their problem. But kudos to them for getting there in the first place.