Are we playing catch-up, or is there so much going on in the magic world that we have to cram four posts into one? You decide:

• Hal Sparks, actor and competitor on VH-1′s Celebracadabra, was interviewed by SLAM creator Travis McPherson on Scrapple Sandwich. During the interview, he talked about his experience on the show. And yes, he still does magic: “All the time … it becomes a compulsion. Once you learn a coin trick, a card trick or any trick that requires the practice of a motion over and over again, you do it like monkey taught to feed itself by pushing a button that shocks them.” We’re also big fans of “Chris in Vancouver,” who got to ask Hal a question on air.
• Mystery solved from the horse’s mouth. Michael Jackson has hired magician Ed Alonzo to create illusions for an upcoming tour. Alonzo told Dodd Vickers at the Magic Newswire that he won’t be in Jacko’s show like he is in Britney Spears’ (though on vacation now, he will be on tour with Spears until December).
• Magician Ted Outerbridge testifies to the power of marketing and self-promotion in this report from The (Montreal) Gazette. He has landed a show at a major downtown Toronto theater with his promotion savvy, which has impressed others.
• Mentalist Stuart Cumberland offers a thought-provoking article on his newly-revamped Web site. His thought: Why can’t people put mystery back into magic and mentalism? He argues, among other things, that mentalists who present their art as “psychological” or “scientific” instead of “mind-reading” do their part to murder mystery.

We’ve been diving through the video vault lately, and rediscovering all kinds of great outtakes, clips and other bits that never made the final cut. Below is one of those clips: It’s Hal Sparks during the filming of “Celebracadabra” doing his magician impersonation. Enjoy:

More of these are coming, so keep checking back.

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.

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!

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