Madame Zolta gives a history lesson.

[Kent Gunn]

https://youtu.be/c9ox2cmrZu0

Come to the Genii Convention's dealers room. Madame Zolta will put in an appearance.

I recently was informed my previous line of patter was racist. Not being known for political correctness, I blew it off. BUT, after doing some research, my caricature of a Romani was really offensive. Turns out the commonly used term, G&PSY is an epithet.

As I live and learn.

KG

[Richard Kaufman]

"The trick I am about to perform for you is NOT called The Gypsy Curse."

[Kent Gunn]

Richard,

You're not helping. I dodged that title in Madame Zolta's listing of precedents on purpose. I love that version of the trick. Ron Bauer had a really good write-up in one of his booklets.

[Kent Gunn]

https://youtu.be/37BHPFE1j_w


Wildcard has always been a Shaggy Dog Story of a trick, to me. I firmly believe that if you watch this version all the way through, you'll be rewarded with an actual punchline.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Did you hear the one about a fortune teller who walked into a magic shop and told the owner: "I see a new card trick in your future." ?

[Joe Lyons]

I am a little insulted by the accent Kent.
Instead of Madame Zolta can you use Smith or Jones.
And perhaps a bank teller instead of fortune teller.
Thank you.

[Kent Gunn]

She's not a fortune teller, she's a birthday party performer. It's like drag queens and transvestites, I can't tell the difference, but it's important to them

The performance has been approved by the Romani, anti-defamation league. They're huge, here in Florida.

[Bill Mullins]

Instead of Madame Zolta can you use Smith or Jones.

Zolta recalls Zoltar from the movie "Big" (and elsewhere).

Smith or Jones doesn't carry the same connotations.

[Kent Gunn]

Bill,

I'm pretty sure Mr. Lyons was kidding and perhaps mocking my political correctness attempts.

Madame Zolta was a character in an I Dream of Jeannie episode. After her fame died down, she retired in Cocoa Beach and ekes out a living doing birthday shows, balloon animal twisting and the occasional face-painting gig. Oh, and she sells her card trick, via her friend's website;

http://www.thefunshopcups.com

[Joe Lyons]

Kent,

I'm pretty sure Mr. Mullins is in on the joke.

[Kent Gunn]

Aha,

After wrasslin' with Performer on this very topic, my what's funny filter got a little fogged up.

Here is some not safe for work/home/anywhere footage of me doing There and Back Again at a private venue. IF COARSE LANGUAGE OFFENDS YOU don't follow this link.

https://youtu.be/wRZYHuhAqR0

[Bill Mullins]

Kent,

I'm pretty sure Mr. Mullins is in on the joke.

I am in on some jokes, and oblivious to others. But Kent's magic is always good.

[Kent Gunn]

Someone said, "Hey you took down the video!"

I did. I toy with these things, this is what it looks like now.

https://youtu.be/VEwstGtt4b4

[I.M. Magician]

Kent...I always enjoy your demos. You are indeed a good magician and a very clever fella!

My problem is with that accent. I have narrowed it down to 56 possible countries at this point.

[Kent Gunn]

I.M.

Madame Z is from Poughkeepsie: born and raised.