The Genii Forum

The 2016 season premiere was tonight and for me it's the closest thing we'll ever get that recalls The Ed Sullivan Show.

There was a two-person telepathy act called The Clairvoyants. Anyone know them? They were quite good and the judges were flummoxed.
I won't get into details about methods but I will hint that there seemed to be no overt coding but I thought of another possibility...

Those of us who have had the privilege of seeing The Evasons or Simon and Ginny Aronson do their act know that it's a wonderful kind of entertainment. When Simon and Ginny do an impromptu show in the hallway or lobby of a convention, it's a real treat. And The Evasons, whose act I've only seen onstage, are real pros as well.

The Clairvoyants? I'm guessing they'll make it to the top ten...if they don't get found out...

They are really good, with a very charming stage presence. I hope their act will be varied enough to go a long way in the competition.

Thommy Ten and Amelie: 1st prize winner in Mentalism at last year's FISM: http://www.theclairvoyantslive.com/

They did do a nice job. AGT's history shows that they will have to mix it up a bit. It will be interesting to see how they do that.

The judges were quite impressed with the purity of their performance. No cards or other props. Just clean Mentalism.

Saw this couple work at FISM in Italy.

I just can't deal with two-person code acts. I've seen too many and nothing is impressive about any of it to me. If you have to explain how far in advance one person is coding the other in order to make it seem skillful, that just reveals how hollow it is.

But laymen love it for the same reasons they love mentalism. They think it might be real. As a pragmatic, logical person, that makes me really sad.

Why no mention of the young magician from Japan doing doves and cards along with a spectacular visual background effect?

Or Sam Wills (The Boy with Tape on his Face)?

Jim Riser wrote:Why no mention of the young magician from Japan doing doves and cards along with a spectacular visual background effect?

I liked the concept very much, but on my screen I had a lot of trouble seeing the actual magic he was performing--it seemed to be obscured by the visual effects.

The Clairvoyants are an appealing, likable couple who do an excellent act. Perhaps too much magician's guilt in showing the hosts/spectators what isn't involved, but maybe done to take focus of other possibilities.
Their manner in revealing details not thought of by many in the audience has a great effect on the audience.

Richard, I don't know if your feeling is about 2 person mental acts, or mentalism in general or both, but the watching them or the Evasions who do their acts, is light years from, "Come now, please concentrate and now TELL us what I'm holding...." Vic and Mary Kirk had a very strong act in that seemingly very little was said by Vic....the long pauses of silence far more dramatic and mystifying.
I have seen The Evasions receive spontaneous standing ovations and individual and group gasps of amazement, I haven't heard since watching Kathryn Kuhlman in person.

"There is no market for a fake mentalist", (John Riggs). The appeal of mentalism is that it is/could/looks like the possible impossible.
"The goal is to be convincing to those who believe, and entertaining to those who don't." (Anton LaVey)

All two-person code acts seem to me to be acting like they're selling me something. And they are: the illusion that they are trying to create. But it's not magical or mystical to me, I just feel like someone is trying to sell me something I don't want.

It could be said all acts are trying to sell a premise and or personal, or put across point of view. Also not all two-person acts were code acts.

A number of mental acts, were two-person acts, that appeared to be a one-person act. Princess Yvonne, Baby Yvonne, Leona LaMarr, Rajah Raboid, Raynell-The Mystery Girl, did the act with their partner, but the focus was on the mindreader,(singular) on stage, so people were wondering how did SHE know that, rather than how did THEY convey info from on to another. Some thought the person in the audience was an usher, theater manager, etc. Brian Gillis brilliantly downsizes his role in their act, so the focus is on the one up stage, his role seemingly one of service to the star, not needing,(or getting) attention.

When Eddie Fields did his horoscope act/pitch in stores...while his partner on stage was holding the tip engaged and spellbound, Eddie freely walked amongst the crowd, many assuming he was a store employee/floor walker.

Magic is back in the first hour of tonight's show!

Sos and Victoria Petrosyan perform their magical quick changes and Philadelphia Eagles player Jon Dorenbos has a nice card routine.

Here's a link to the video of Jon Dorenbos' performance: http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/ ... os/3054751

I'm surprised he can still do the work with the beating his hands must have taken over the years.

PS: Many of you know this already, but what Dorenbos has had to overcome is pretty horrible: http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/the ... r-20151110

More magic this week: (This act made me smile)

Wasn't that adorable? Clever presentation from beginning to end! It will be interesting to see what they do next.

A truly refreshing magical presentation.

The kid has an SAG card and LOTS of training..

Reality TV isnt real.

http://resumes.breakdownexpress.com/715170-2559143

His demo Reel.

Look at Mini Howie Mandel..

http://www.imdb.com/video/user/vi2524617753

Wow...bummer. He is deceiving people. I wonder if the judges know.

SPOILER ALERT for July 13th episode.














I'm surprised that the little kid and his sister got through to the live rounds and Stephen Brundage didn't.

Two kids presenting illusions that look like nothing the judges have ever seen before in a style that feels very fresh & authentic.

-V-

A magician who whilst technically very good and innovative (and away from this show I do love his work) looks to the judges and producers like every other slightly nerdy close up magician they've ever seen, presenting in a style that's largely the same as every one of the 100+ other magicians they've seen this year alone and isn't dramatically different to Matt Franco.

What gets ratings, audience interaction, website clicks and general praise for the show is when they showcase unusual, new & quirky acts so it's hardly surprising that given the choice between these two performances they're going to choose the kids?

There is an old showbusiness adage that you should never compete with children or animals. Some people of a cynical disposition might even say they are the same thing. And what makes it more difficult is that these kids are actually good!

Tom Moore wrote:Two kids presenting illusions that look like nothing the judges have ever seen before in a style that feels very fresh & authentic.

-V-

A magician who whilst technically very good and innovative (and away from this show I do love his work) looks to the judges and producers like every other slightly nerdy close up magician they've ever seen, presenting in a style that's largely the same as every one of the 100+ other magicians they've seen this year alone and isn't dramatically different to Matt Franco.

What gets ratings, audience interaction, website clicks and general praise for the show is when they showcase unusual, new & quirky acts so it's hardly surprising that given the choice between these two performances they're going to choose the kids?

I see your point, Mr. Moore. Blinded by my love for strong magic, I clearly misread the judges. Despite Howie's reservations about Brundage's generic performing personality, the other judges just seemed enthralled by a pretty strong set. I thought their amazement would get him through to the next round. (From his reaction, I think Brundage might have been a little surprised at the outcome as well).

You are correct--ratings are king. (At least that horrible duo with the combo singing/magic/strange gymnastics act didn't advance).

Blake Vogt fooled me badly on tonight's AGT--we'll see if his performing persona is strong enough to get him through.

I won't comment on the results right now in case someone hasn't seen the show yet, but I have a few things to share. (And yes, Blake Vogt's trick was pretty good.)

I like this show very much.
I wish they'd edit it with less cutaways to the judges and audience.
Host Nick Cannon's antics offstage are distracting but he's likeable and funny when he goes onstage and interacts with the contestants and judges.

It's also great that unlike in the past, there's an audience in the "Judges' Cuts" episodes - or am I misremembering?
(And yeah, I corrected their title of "Judge Cuts" to "Judges' Cuts"! Take that, NBC!)

One change is that we're seeing acts in the "Judges' Cuts" shows that weren't in the first audition shows.
(Please, someone confirm that I'm not misremembering that!)

It's disappointing that the live shows won't be at my old home, Radio City Music Hall, but I hope some of you folks check them out on the West Coast (at the Dolby theatre). http://dolbytheatre.com/

You can sign up - for free - here:

http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Am ... Got_Talent

Very strong turn for the Clairvoyants this week:




Brundage lives!




and once again the juggler steals the show (IMHO):




(PS: I'm really glad that lady didn't kill her fiancée on national TV)

Tonight - after the recap of last night's show - is the show with results of last night's vote. Eleven acts will be reduced to 5 while next week there will be another 11 reduced to 5 for the Final Ten.

On the results show tonight --- 9 - 10 pm, Eastern time, NBC --- the stars of "The Illusionists" will be special guests.

Hello again.

Tonight's the final show - live from Hollywood!

There are strong contenders in the category of singing as well as variety acts. I wish there could be a winner in both categories.
Will it be The Clairvoyants?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHSTGOpLEgw

Jon Dorenbos?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWW5AANXRtc

Tune in tonight! "Same Bat time, same Bat channel..."

Doug Thornton wrote:Hello again.

Tonight's the final show - live from Hollywood!

There are strong contenders in the category of singing as well as variety acts. I wish there could be a winner in both categories.
Will it be The Clairvoyants?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHSTGOpLEgw

Jon Dorenbos?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWW5AANXRtc

Tune in tonight! "Same Bat time, same Bat channel..."

I think that this is the Clairvoyants' Waterloo. Their set had a sameness feel to it, and the water chamber and the Koran medallion effect left me cold.

Dorenbos had a script that he clearly believed in, but the magic was fairly average and several of the color changes were seen in his previous work. Just didn't build to a winning climax, IMHO.

I liked the juggler and contorsionist, but I also think they failed to transcend their previous performances.

My money is on the "Man in the Mirror" singer (Brian Justin Crum)--very strong voice, good stage presence. (Not sure why everyone likes that 12 year old with the ukulele.)

For me, Brian Justin Crum is very much overrated. That 12 year old girl- Grace Vanderwaal writes her own songs, plays the ukulele, and has inspired young people all over the world! I see her as the most deserving of them all.

One problem with this show is that they dwell way too much on the contestant's problems. It's not about that! It's about talent and that 12 year old girl certainly has heaps of talent.

Dorenbos is OK but his presentations are always abrupt and his final performance could only be followed by other magicians. He is certainly talented on some level but not as a genuine performer.

The mentalists got weird last night. What was she doing in that tank of water for goodness sake. They tried to top themselves and got lost in the rediculous!

So there's my two cents...

I.M. Magician wrote: ...
One problem with this show is that they dwell way too much on the contestant's problems. It's not about that! It's about talent ...

it really isn't.

It's about tugging at the audience's heartstrings. It's about creating a deeply uniquely personal experience that will stay with the audience for the rest of their lives.

Fortunately, Nameof Magic Company has just released an effect that will allow me to do that, with no reset. I can't wait!

"Fortunately, Nameof Magic Company has just released an effect that will allow me to do that, with no reset. I can't wait!"

What effect are you speaking of?

Perhaps you are correct about tugging on heart strings but I doubt that it will stay with the audience for that long.

Maybe they should rename the show: AMERICA'S GOT TALENTED PEOPLE WITH ISSUES

I.M. Magician wrote:"Fortunately, Nameof Magic Company has just released an effect that will allow me to do that, with no reset. I can't wait!"

What effect are you speaking of?

Sorry, that was just a reaction to the emails I get several times a week from various magicware item distributors, each one offering me a "groundbreaking new effect" that will "go straight into my act" and "fry spectators' minds".

(And no reset!)