Name of kid's show entertainer?

Discuss the latest news and rumors in the magic world.
Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 12th, 2021, 10:16 am

I remember reading about a kid's show entertainer based in New York or Washington.

He would just turn up and entertain kids. No props or costumes. It was almost like he would just turn up with a hangover - and entertain kids. In wahtever clothes had on that day.

But because he had an amazing ability to connect with children, he was a successful entertainer. Even though it seemed like there was no effort involved compared to a regular kids' show entertainer.

There was even a feature on him somewhere (like The New Yorker?).

I am sure I saw Richard Kaufman comment on him once as well.

Does anyone have any information on this? I find things like this utterly fascinating.

Leonard Hevia
Posts: 1951
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Dai Vernon, Frank Garcia, Slydini, Houdini,
Location: Gaithersburg, Md.

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Leonard Hevia » February 12th, 2021, 10:22 am

You might be talking about this guy:

https://thegreatzucchini.com/about/

Bill Mullins
Posts: 5913
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Huntsville, AL
Contact:

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Bill Mullins » February 12th, 2021, 10:53 am

The article you are probably remembering is by Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post. Link.

(Weingarten is probably the best newspaper feature writer working. When this came out, my son was two, and I've never read _anything_ that affected me emotionally so much. He won a Pulitzer for the piece.)

Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 12th, 2021, 11:31 am

You guys are the best. Thanks so much!

I am going to research this writer as well. Cheers Bill!

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27053
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 12th, 2021, 1:35 pm

Yes, the Great Zucchini. He was almost like a homeless guy who just showed up and did some poor magic, but the connection he had with children was astonishing.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 12th, 2021, 1:37 pm

Fascinating!

Bob Hummer had that sort of vibe - but as a creator of magic.

Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 12th, 2021, 5:42 pm

Hey Bill,

I just looked up Gene Weingarten on wikipedia. I saw that his first Pulitzer prize was for one of the best magazine stories I ever read. The one about the world-famous violinst (Joshua Bell) plays a Stradivarius in a subway station for passengers on their way to work. I often think back to that article.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/pearls-before-breakfast-can-one-of-the-nations-great-musicians-cut-through-the-fog-of-a-dc-rush-hour-lets-find-out/2014/09/23/8a6d46da-4331-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html

Thanks for reminding me of this great writer! I am going to check out more of his work.

RobFromNZ
Posts: 32
Joined: September 25th, 2013, 10:50 pm

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby RobFromNZ » February 12th, 2021, 10:47 pm

That article about the Great Zucchini was an excellent read. Thanks.

Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 16th, 2021, 10:19 am

Mark Lewis put me in touch with The Great Zucchini on Facebook.

I spent just under 3 hours chatting to him last night.

And I have just turned that conversation into a ten page article.

I will publish it here or on the Vanishing Inc Magic blog (where I sometimes publish stuff).

Unless Richard wants it for the magazine? It is a good article. The Great Zucchini is going to read it and give me his feedback.

I have also encouraged him to pop over and say hi.

Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 27th, 2021, 8:58 pm

Here is my profile of The Great Zucchini:

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/blog/the-great-zucchini

Bill Mullins
Posts: 5913
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Huntsville, AL
Contact:

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Bill Mullins » February 28th, 2021, 12:48 am

Joe -- Your profile mentions, in connection with Ricky Jay, "pachydermous hide". I think the phrase you are trying to recall is "pachydermatous outer melon layer".

Joe Mckay
Posts: 2026
Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am
Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler
Location: Durham, England

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby Joe Mckay » February 28th, 2021, 1:11 am

Yikes - good catch. I am an idiot. I did a quick google search to refresh my memory when I was writing. And the top result on google (a Grantland article) mislead me.

I am a doofus!

Joe

PS Eric is going to try and pop in and say Hi. He is having trouble setting up an account though.

GBean
Posts: 11
Joined: April 9th, 2020, 5:54 pm
Favorite Magician: Billy McComb

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby GBean » February 28th, 2021, 3:23 pm

Thanks for that, Joe. Your diagnosis about the importance of status and spontaneity seems right on target. Looking forward to Eric’s checking in!

Gordon

The_Great_Z
Posts: 1
Joined: February 27th, 2021, 10:31 pm

Re: Name of kid's show entertainer?

Postby The_Great_Z » March 1st, 2021, 10:15 am

Hey Everyone, I hope you’re doing well and staying safe.
I had a fantastic experience interacting with Joe when he reached out to me. He’s extremely likable, a great conversationalist and very intelligent. He made the process painless and I appreciate him taking an interest in me.
We really are in the world’s best business and don’t worry everyone- people will be ready to throw parties this spring and summer.


Return to “Buzz”