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.
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
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
