CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

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CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 8th, 2009, 6:22 am

In his most recent column in the Las Vegas Review Journal, Norm dropped in a tibit on a David Darkstone sighting which implied rumors of him as a replacement for Criss Angel in Believe. READ MORE

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby CraigMitchell » January 8th, 2009, 6:27 am

Where they come up with this material is fascinating ... David Darkstone ???

I saw his show with Will Roya at the New Frontier eons ago & it was just awful :-(

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 8th, 2009, 10:28 am

It's the first I've heard of it anywhere. I got one email suggesting it was a rumor started to get people in to see it "while Criss was still the star."

Interesting thought.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 8th, 2009, 10:48 am

It's not surprising, because we're expecting something to happen. It's also not surprising this would come from Norm, since Criss threatened to poke his "good" eye out (he only has one eye).
However I'll believe it (and/or anything else) when it's a done deal.
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 8th, 2009, 11:16 am

Another suggestion is that Darkstone is to be Angel's understudy.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 8th, 2009, 11:50 am

Seems he only has a MySpace page? That seems a bit weak for a "top performer."

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby CraigMitchell » January 8th, 2009, 12:23 pm

I doubt that casting DD as an understudy would solve the inherent problem the shows faces. Would be interesting to see a couple months from now how this all plays out ...

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 8th, 2009, 1:08 pm

Craig, you don't understand the situation. Casting him as an understudy would mean that he would be in rehearsal and able to perform the show at any time. Then, when Cirque managed to get Criss out, they would be able to continue the show with major changes without having to deal with Criss.
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby David Vamer » January 8th, 2009, 2:02 pm

Considering the show's....difficulties....it would be suicidal to remove the ONLY reason ANYONE is showing up.

Who wants to see a bad show with NO celebrity?

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby flynn » January 8th, 2009, 2:18 pm

It would be cool if they replaced him with Cyril. He's won stage competitions and his chops and presentation are I wanna say at least 300 percent better. I think he'll make some suggestions on how to make it a better show and his ideas will most likely be seriously considered being that he's pretty creative.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby David Alexander » January 8th, 2009, 2:57 pm

As I understand it, the entire show is so poorly constructed that it just doesn't work. I have people I've known for years, long-time pros, telling me I should see the show because I'll never see anything this bad again.

Removing Criss is one step. The next step would be to re-design the show so that it's something a lot people want to see and leave thinking they received value for their money.

I was told the following story - a man who saw the show was demanding his money back. The woman handling the situation asked what the problem was. She was told the problem was the seat.

She asked what the problem with the seat was. The man responded, "It faced the stage."

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 8th, 2009, 3:04 pm

I would imagine there has been a lot of backstage head-butting between Criss and Cirque. Each of them is probably now thinking how much better the show would be if they could just get rid of the other and change the show without interference from the other party.

So, getting rid of Criss would allow Cirque to present an entirely new show without the star who has, as they likely feel, presented them from putting on the show they want.

It's entirely possible that you will see a Criss-less and more Cirque-like version of Believe in that theater, and also Criss in his own show in some other Vegas theater, all within 12 months.
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Pete McCabe » January 8th, 2009, 3:09 pm

The rumor running around the Castle is that at some point Criss will be "injured" during the show, and so an understudy will be brought in (The Show Must Go On, and all that). At some point after that Criss will quietly move on to something else.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby CraigMitchell » January 8th, 2009, 3:12 pm

"Casting him as an understudy would mean that he would be in rehearsal and able to perform the show at any time. Then, when Cirque managed to get Criss out, they would be able to continue the show with major changes without having to deal with Criss."

The replacement would surely need to be performing a completely different version of the show ? And the show without a celebrity would now need to be so mindblowingly good - otherwise it would hardly be able to compete in the current entertainment landscape in Vegas.

And can Cirque deliver on such a show that has a flawed foundation ?

Looking at the scenario - I can't see 'Believe' continuing without Criss ( and if the reports are accurate, nor can it continue with him ) - if Criss departs & Cirque keep the venue, can Believe stay - surely it would be a permanent scar / reminder to Cirque of their "failure" ? And more importantly to audiences as well ?

Unless Believe version 2.0 with Criss works - the show is going to be tainted for a long time to come.

Contractually - it would be interesting to know the fundamentals of the deal and who is in the driving seat with regards to exit clauses, control over rights / venue etc.

If Criss does walk - what is the strategy to ensure he exits the deal with minimal negative PR ? And would another casino invest in a Criss Angel only show given what they've seen in Believe ?

But with the economy as it is - no matter what the end result ... no audience in attendance = no show, no matter what !

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby David Vamer » January 8th, 2009, 3:48 pm

>>>I would imagine there has been a lot of backstage head-butting between Criss and Cirque.>>>

Criss has been told repeatedly that calling the woman a "bitch" does NOT set up the idea that Criss is the "bad bunny". Criss doesn't care.

There is also a "no replacement" clause in the contract, FWIW.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby JordanB » January 8th, 2009, 4:34 pm

David Darkstone. Wow. He was on the TV show "Cheaters" a while back. I don't believe it, but it's a funny idea.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6335001984

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 8th, 2009, 4:56 pm

This still falls solidly in the realm of rumor, but phone calls to us from Vegas & Magic related sources since we first reported on this story say that they are hearing that Cirque is pulling out of Believe and that Criss will try and keep it going on his own. Again, still nothing but rumor and speculation at this point, but there ya go.. for what it's worth. Time will tell.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Ruben Padilla » January 8th, 2009, 6:26 pm

That "Cheaters" segment had worse acting than an episode of Mindfreak.

Um, maybe not...
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Brad Henderson » January 8th, 2009, 8:53 pm

Craig Mitchell wrote:Where they come up with this material is fascinating ... David Darkstone ???

I saw his show with Will Roya at the New Frontier eons ago & it was just awful :-(


Which means he's perfect for the job.

Brad

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Tim Ellis » January 9th, 2009, 12:49 am

If they do replace Criss, they need to do it with a big name in magic. Someone who is known worldwide and has many, many TV series under his belt.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=gL7bIgcjcyU

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby rkosby » January 9th, 2009, 2:08 am

I nominate David Williamson to replace Criss.

Ray

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Pete McCabe » January 9th, 2009, 3:26 am

rkosby wrote:I nominate David Williamson to replace Criss.

Ray


I would drive to Las Vegas right now to see that. No rehearsals, just put David on his first mark and start the music.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Justin Fraser » January 9th, 2009, 8:48 am


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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Kevin Connolly » January 9th, 2009, 9:16 am

Spend some cash and get a classic.


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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 9th, 2009, 1:00 pm

Justin Fraser wrote:I nominate this guy.....

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=d00pTfhD4Vw


I just want a pair of those pants

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Joe Pecore » January 9th, 2009, 1:48 pm

Magic Newswire wrote:
Justin Fraser wrote:I nominate this guy.....

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=d00pTfhD4Vw


I just want a pair of those pants




I've seen the future of Rock'n'Roll Magic and it's name is Devlin.

Too funny!
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Terry » January 9th, 2009, 4:12 pm

Joe Pecore wrote:I've seen the future of Rock'n'Roll Magic and it's name is Devlin.

Too funny!


The man boobs, bouncing belly and wearing really bad pro wrestling pants. . .more like Criss' future. . .

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 9th, 2009, 4:49 pm

Don't mistake that put-on "Devlin" for Joe Devlin, who's very good.
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 9th, 2009, 4:51 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:Don't mistake that put-on "Devlin" for Joe Devlin, who's very good.


Quite true!

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Tim Ellis » January 9th, 2009, 6:21 pm

Well I thought The Masked Magician would be perfect because he's already a household name... but if you REALLY want someone of quality - you can't go past STALLION

http://www.stallionmagic.com/

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby David Vamer » January 10th, 2009, 2:57 am

Stallion's assistant's bio...

NAME: RAMSEY GUNTNER

DUTIES: magical assitant, dancer

"Pageantry is a way of life, but life is a way of living it." These words sparked the fire that burns inside the beguiling Ramsey. A former three-time Miss Watsonville semi-finalist, Ramsey's desire to reach the pinnacle of medium-risk entertainment has led her to embrace Stallion's aromatic brand of tough, angry love.
___________________________________________

"Aromatic"??? Cooooooool!!!!!!!!

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Tim Ellis » January 10th, 2009, 6:13 am

Stallion is "the only magician in America that guarantees every member of the audience will leave believing in magic."

HE GUARANTEES IT!

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Terry » January 10th, 2009, 9:24 am

Re Inside Stallion button makes me think we're about to see a colonoscopy.

With this kind of website is anyone still wondering why no one thinks of magic as anything but a geek hobby?

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Magic Newswire » January 10th, 2009, 9:32 am

Terry wrote:Re Inside Stallion button makes me think we're about to see a colonoscopy.

With this kind of website is anyone still wondering why no one thinks of magic as anything but a geek hobby?



Hey.. at least Geek is the new black...

Sorry... bad fashion joke...

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Dave Shepherd » January 10th, 2009, 9:53 am

Ack! One of those damn websites that forces you to listen to music when you hit it! And no "off" button!

OTOH, I could learn to get my California driver's license from Stallion, so that's something.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Dave Shepherd » January 10th, 2009, 9:54 am

A male member of the Stallion posse ("Team Cherokee"):

NAME: FELIX BANGS

DUTIES: stage assistant, dancer

Employee by day, dancer by night, Jewish by morning, Felix comes from an energetic family of urban movement pioneers. His go for it demeanor and "Mazel Love" attitude have made him a breakout sensation in the local groove scene. As founding member of Riblets - The Alfonso Ribeiro Appreciation Posse, Felix hopes his experience as a member of Team Cherokee will take him to the all-pro level!

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby rkosby » January 10th, 2009, 12:20 pm

Isn't that web site a complete satire? I mean Majudoe?

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby ropeadope » January 10th, 2009, 1:16 pm

I nominate any magician to replace Criss who doesn`t have a swollen head and think he is God.

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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 10th, 2009, 1:51 pm

Does god have a swollen head?
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Re: CRISS ANGEL LEAVING BELIEVE?

Postby Jonathan Townsend » January 10th, 2009, 2:55 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:Does god have a swollen head?


Which god?

(not gonna ask which head)


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