Celebracadabra Episode 2 & Wise words going unheeded…
May 5, 2008
Once again, the smoke has cleared, the shards of broken wand have been swept away, and the canceled sign has adorned another apprentice magician’s picture in The Magic Castle.
Episode 2 dealt with Children’s Magic, and to my mind showed as much how *not* to do it as how to remain professional and appropriate!
What can we take away from episode 2 though? Without going to the obvious “Never, ever invite a school full of children to rip the candy from your absurd candy suit”, the real highlight for me was Lisa Ann Walter’s production of lemonade, when given a bushel of lemons.
Lisa Ann Walters wearing this season’s in look
Forced to wear a Ketchup suit due to Hal Sparks’ special powers this week, all seemed truly lost for her… Except, she had other plans.
After the initial shock had worn off, I can only imagine the amount of work that went in to preparing her act - what *can* you do with a Ketchup suit?! Easy, perform slick and themed magic, after having the world’s best children’s entertainer whoop your crowd into a frenzy for you!
Showing exactly what you can do when you’re put into a situation you’re not comfortable with, and don’t want to be in, Lisa Ann Walters’ routine was smart, funny, and kept well within appropriate behaviour boundaries for children’s entertainment - sadly more than could be said for this week’s loser, Ant.
After throwing a hissy fit and running out of the costume store because of the scary clowns, it appeared that he refused to even consider putting the homework of character creation and preparation of the other contestants, instead settling for calling at a gas station on the way and picking up as much candy as he could carry - before stapling it all over himself.
Quite what this has to do with anything other than a vain bid to buy the children’s affections, I was never, and perhaps will never be sure. I was unfortunately proved right though, and at the culmination of Ant’s (extremely inappropriate on occasion) routine, he invited all the children to rip the candy from him…
Wise words from Ant’s Coach that were about to be completely ignored.
Special mention this week to C. Thomas Howell, and his rise to the top after last week’s mistakes. His Cowboy act made sense, his natural personality shone through and his enthusiasm was contagious as he enjoyed rapt attention from a room full of restless children.
C. Thomas Howell’s performance of the Lassoo’d Card winning astonishment from the children and respect from magicians who saw his handling of a potentially tricky moment.
This show is simply getting better and better, and next week’s show - in which our magicians find themselves performing in bars to a selection of college students in varying degrees of inebriation - looks to be perhaps the most interesting (and certainly most challenging to the fledgling magicians powers of crowd control) yet.
Celebracadabra, Episode 1 & Max Maven’s new “do”
April 30, 2008
Now that the dust has well and truly settled from the first episode, let’s take a look back and see what we can actually take away from Episode 1 of the VH1 reality show.
Sometimes - whether you’re a beginner or a professional - things go wrong. Sometimes they go a little bit wrong, but sometimes…they go A LOT wrong. There’s not much that one can do about it, as it’s simply going to happen at some point. But what we do to get over it when they *do* go wrong, now *That’s* the mark of distinction.
One of the celebrities recovered from the faliure by coming back and knocking the same effect out of the house the next time he performed it… The other came back a different way and performed it in a very much more introspective way.
Which is right? Both.
Which is right for you? Only you can say.
As for the rest, I personally found it very interesting to see the sorts of presentations (both basic and more involved) that the celebrities performed, from the simple reformation of a bill that turned out to be mis-made… To the edgy presentation of the floating dollar bill - that could *really* have ended up poorly - Kudos to C. Thomas Howell for having the nerve to put himself and his skills out there like that.
Kim Wyatt’s Card to Broken Bottle was another highlight for me, as the apprentice magician made it seem so smooth and flowing.
The judges were fair, and, for my money, right on the mark with their assesments of each celebrity.
Speaking of the judges… Although Max Maven wasn’t in the first episode, there was an extremely short clip of him, prior to the opening titles.
If anyone can name a magician who could carry off that hairstyle as well as Max, I’ll buy them a beer (Courtesy of the Kim Wyatt school of beer bottle management)
And some magician’s wax.
More information on Celebra cadabra
April 25, 2008
This is taken from an official release about the show, for those who may not know the celebrities, or indeed magicians involved…
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Celebra Cadabra: Sneak Peek
April 25, 2008
With Celebracadabra due to hit your TV screens April 27 (this Sunday at 9pm EDT), many of you are probably wondering what the show will be like and how it will compare to previous “TV Magic Shows.” We really think that after you see just how awesome the magic really is, it will surpass expectations. If you are really curious to know what the show has to offer, then you can check out a five-episode mini sneak peak series on the VH1 Celebra Cadabra website.
Go here to check out the others and get pumped!
Celebracadabra Video clips
April 22, 2008
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Celebracadabra Theme Tune…
April 21, 2008
What a wonderful place the internet is… A quick trawl through the regular sites pointed me to this file - The theme tune for the upcoming VH1 show Celebracadabra!
The lyrics (possibly penned by, and certainly rapped by Chris “Kid” Reid, one of the hopeful celebrities appearing on the show) are:
So amazing, it’ll make you slap yo mamma
First up, the king of the drama
Add to the mix a wonderful songbird
A voice guaranteed to calm nerves
But strong words come from the mouth of the actor
Magic even got clout with a legendary rapper
And a beautiful lady who brings laughter
Question, would you take a chance and risk it all
And go head to head with a Pussycat Doll?
Even a man with Soul in his past, gotta find a new role for the cash…
Celebracadabra!
source www.itricks.com
Celebracadabra, Exclusive News and New Pictures…
April 17, 2008
We can now exclusively reveal just which magician will be mentoring which celebrity, on the upcoming VH1 Reality Show…
Celebracadabra
Carnie Wilson will be mentored by Simon Lovell
Ant will be mentored by Asi Wind
C. Thomas Howell will be mentored by David Regal
Hal Sparks will be mentored by Rocco Silano
Lisa Ann Walter will be mentored by Silly Billy
Chris “Kid” Reid will be mentored by Derek Hughes
and finally, Kim Wyatt will be mentored by the lucky lucky Murray SawChuck.
Pussycat Doll Kim Wyatt caught inbetween filming.
Hal Sparks showing his latest deck throwing technique (?!) to Brad Christian.
Lisa Ann Walter filming on the streets with Silly Billy.
And finally…
Hal Sparks showing off the goods!
David Regal’s insider comments on Celebracadabra
April 2, 2008
Illusion & Reality
by David Regal
“Celebracadabra.” Say it three times fast. It still sounds kind of funny, doesn’t it. It’s the kind of coined word that sounds patently silly, but once it’s in your head it just won’t leave. Easy to make fun of, yes, but the word ‘prestidigitator’ has a similar Frankensteinian birthright.
At any rate, the word ‘Celebracadabra’ did not exist on the day I first met Chris Martin and Karla Hidalgo, producers of a proposed magic-themed reality show pilot for VH1 that was to be shot in the Los Angeles area. We met at a tony West Side hotel far from my suburban home in Burbank. Chris, a bearded wry young man with an amateur’s enthusiasm for magic, and Karla, a beautiful and businesslike young woman, greeted me with the kind of drawn weathered faces that can only have been preceded by meeting hundreds of other magicians. And what was exactly the case. As we sat and they explained their project to me, it became clear they they had already met every magician I knew, heard of, or saw in photographic form as I flicked through The Magic Castle’s complete file of Genii. I think they even met with Vernon.
Their idea was, on the surface, simple. To my mind it sounded like Dancing with the Stars, but with magic. In other words, several ‘magic coaches’ would train an equal number of celebrities in our mystical art, with eliminations and winners in the manner of any number of reality shows. We talked about the show, my background in television and magic, their vision, and then something happened that I can’t explain. It has happened before, but always without warning, catching me by surprise as much as those around me and affecting my livelihood in both positive and negative ways.
I was suddenly, inexplicably honest.
There’s more where that came from, but in order to read it you’ll need to own a copy of the April 2008 issue of Genii to finish part 1, and May 2008 to finish the article.
Excerpt reprinted with permission from Genii Magazine (Copyright 2008 The Genii Corporation)
Original article written by David Regal
Celebracadabra meets the Magic Castle
April 2, 2008
In a little over 20 days, seven people are going to trade in their title of celebrity for magician. Along with the guidance from world class magic coaches, it will be up to them whether they sink or swim out performing.
Whether on a stage for many people, or out on the streets of Los Angeles performing one on one for strangers, there is no doubt that they have some tricks up their sleeves. Be sure to catch the premier episode to see for yourself, April 27th on VH1!
Seen here standing in front of the prestigious Magic Castle are the seven contestants of Celebracadabra - cards and coins in hands. Yet only one will have the opportunity to perform at this famous magic landmark, and to walk away with the hefty $100,000 grand prize.
VH1 Celebracadabra Stars & Magic Coaches Exclusive Pics
April 2, 2008
Celebracadabra sponsor Ellusionist is providing exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of the cast on set. Who will win the $100,000 grand prize? Tune in and see – coming April 27.
Magician/Coach Murray Sawchuck and Pussycat Doll Kim Wyatt
What do you get when you have an avid poker player, comedian, actor, and television host all rolled into one? You get ANT, one of the contestants on Celebracadabra. While often found in the position of judging on such shows as “Last Comic Standing”, the tables are now turned. He’s on the competitor’s end of things, and competition is fierce.
Magician / Coach David Regal and Comedian ANT - Doesn’t ANT know David Regal can’t be killed by conventional weapons? 
Fear not. No black leather belts were harmed when this picture was taken.
Magician/Coach Rocco Silano and Comedian/Actor Hal Sparks
Among the list of celebrities vying to win VH1’s Celebracadabra is Carnie Wilson. Through these exclusive behind the scenes photos, you can get a sneak peek at this singer-gone-magician’s talent. Not new to VH1 after being on the fourth season of Celebrity Fit Club, she’s back on TV again to try to prove herself worthy of the title “Best Celebrity Magician”.
Magician/Coach Silly Billy and Singer/TV personality Carnie Wilson
Magician/Coach David Regal and film & tv actor C. Thomas Howell
