Room 401 - Episode 2

You know.. I haven't heard much buzz in the magic community about MTV's new show , ROOM 401. I've watched 4 of the 8 episodes to date, and have the other 4 recorded to view when I get around to it..

I was surprised to see Cyril on episode 2, doing his great 'dropping head' effect for a bus load of unsuspecting passengers. That's the premise.. pull pranks using illusionists and/or illusionists directed effects that occur in a setting designed to terrify and not amuse. Street magic at it's best. ;o)

Some of the situations have been priceless, if you can get into the slightly sicko type of MTV humor. Imagine Ashton Kutcher's Punk'd with a really mean twist. Actually, if you check the producers at the beginning of the show, you'll see Ashton's name...

Oh.. if you haven't seen the show, I've included a link to episode #2 for you viewing pleasure. It will play four different segments, one at a time. Links to the other 7 episodes are on tis page as well.

To quote from MTV's own description:

Inside this creepy episode of Room 401 a chainsaw accident cuts an ice sculptor in two, an old head inside a jar shows signs of life, a taxi driver floats out of a speeding ticket, and a sickly bus rider loses his head, literally..

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1565073&vid=164485

This episode, and the other 7 to-date, all appeared on MTV2. Let me know what you think..

Toothpick Star Trick

Watch the video and see if you can duplicate this effect. If you can.. well.. you've got a great little bar trick. I can even see someone performing this as a bit of mental magic. It's probably good that Uri Geller didn't discover this effect thirty years ago.

Try this an let me know how it works for you.

A little tip: Instead of using ten toothpicks, try using five toothpicks that have been snapped in the middle but NOT completely broken into..


5 Toothpick And A Star... - The best video clips are right here

Snap Change Video

This snap change is pretty much self-explainatory.. English is a little rough, but the change itself is well executed.. Try it..



How To Card Trick - video powered by Metacafe

Magic Roadshow - Best of

I wanted to give those of you who might not be subscribers to the Magic Roadshow a heads up that I have just published the second 'Best of' the Roadshow in two weeks.

Two weeks ago I published Best of Magic Roadshow #4, and followed up with Best of Magic Roadshow #5 a couple of days ago. This covers all material published during most of the last year. I should have published a 'Best of' six months ago, but life got in the way and everything was on hiatus until now.

Check it out, I think you'll find something useful in each issue. Heck, I did, and I'm the editor. It's amazing what you can forget in a year.. ;o)

Best of.. Issue 4

Best of.. Issue 5


Cheers

Rick C.

Ricky Jay

How good is Ricky Jay? Watch the video and see..