The Genii Forum

Last night the Chicago PBS station (WTTW) showed Kennedy Center Presents: The Mark Twain Prize Steve Martin. About ten minutes into the program they showed Steve Martin's entire Flydini act from the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I didn't get to record it but luckily for us it will be rerun this coming Sunday at 1:00 am. Check your local listings for times in your area.

Frank Yuen

Those who know, know.

Those who haven't seen "Flydini": It's one of the funniest comedy performances I've ever seen. Do anything you can to tape it.

Thanks for the heads up, Frank!

You can find the Flydini act on the collected Johnny Carson dvds.

I had forgotten how good it was. Tech advisors to Martin were Ricky Jay and Peter Pit.

Pete, didn't Mike Caveney help Steve Martin with this routine as well?

Don't know, maybe he did.

This was really an enjoyable show. Peter Pit showed my the writen thanks for helping Steve Martin with this effect. Peter was paid very handsomely for the idea and help.

Geno

Geno... did you see Cyril do a card sword bungi jump from Vegas on one of his TV Specials? I gave you credit for being first (but not interested in DOING THAT AGAIN!)

We have a picture of Geno hanging upside down with a card sword tacked to a bulletin board in our shop. It was from the cover of one of the Vegas magazines. Must of been 15 years ago or so, maybe less. I thought Geno was first with the bungee card sword but I might be mistaken.

-=tabman

Hi guys

Yep, I think I did that stunt firtst.

Just talked to Ricky Jay, whe had dinner the other night with Sreve Martin and the FLYDINI routine was strictly Ricky and Peter Pit (no one else).

I miss the guy.

I just caught this on rerun and I laughed so hard. I had only seen quick clips of this before. The opera singing puppet at the end had me in tears. Pete, hope your back is feeling better.

Steve Martin rehearsed the "Flydini" act in the Palace of Mystery at the Magic Castle one night before the Tonight Show spot. No one knew he was at the Castle that night and he was billed only as "Flydini" by emcee Peter Pit. As chairman of the Video Committee at that time, I taped the show for Peter. You have never heard such screams of delight and laughter.

I believe Magic Castle stage manager Bryan Lee also helped to develop the bubble-blowing apparatus in the Flydini routine -- doubtless at Peter's request.

Best always,

Mark Nelson

Mark Evanier's Blog , Newsfromme, posts the Flydini performance from the Tonight Show on today's entry. Worth watching.

Evanier is primarily a writer (comics, TV shows) but also is a member of the Magic Castle and often posts material of interest to magicians.

A very interesting version of Flydini is performed on the Ricky Jay Learned Pigs Television Special. It was made to look like an old black and white silent film, with scratches and all. Martin explains it is film of his Grandfather.

In case anyone's interested in seeing this funny Flydini video, it can be found on www.youtube.com. There are video clips of many other TV apperances by magicians as well. The other day, I watched Dean Dill's spot on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Enjoy!

Mitch, I just looked through youtube and could not find the flydini act. If you have it or can send me the specific link, I would appreciat it.

Thanks, Bruce

I have a link to Flydini on my website..in the "Sideshow " section..you're welcome to take a look..

All the best,
John
www.docjaksonsplace.com

John, YouTube tells me that the Flydini video you linked to is no longer available.

I searched around on Google a bit and found the clip here: http://www.pistolwimp.com/media/45516/

-Jim

Thanks for the heads up David..they must have taken it down recently.

All the best,
John

Over on the Magic Cafe, Scott Cram posted a link to Flydini on Ricky Jay's 1989 Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women TV special. (The entire Ricky Jay special is on youtube, broken into segments.) The Flydini piece is at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqtmMatV_8s

Greg