John's awesome - check out Ali Bongo's and Banachek's comments about him in his promo materials.

Mark Shortland is very funny, yes. Kerry (Scorah) is his wife, I believe.

No, I'm quite certain most audiences would prefer a stern person "lecturing" them and trying to appear mysterious. Plus, how the performer got that stick so far up his or her ass makes for a riveting after-show discussion.

Yes.and no.

This is a question that has no "right" answer. It depends upon what the performer wants to project. Derren Brown and David Blaine exude an air of "intensity"; people actually believe they have some sort of "powers" that they themselves don't... while John Archer comes across as an "everyman", who happens to be an incredibly gifted mentalist and above all, a wonderful entertainer. Richard Osterlind is somewhere in the middle- he doesn't claim to have powers, yet he's intense- he's funny, but not a comic... and he's an everyman.

Don't you think it's also the material? If you want to be a funny mentalist you will have to keep the material light. The minute you say that you are going to read someone's mind, the mood will begin to change.

Tony Brent
Outta Control Magic Show
Orlando

Funny? No! A mentalist should be boring. I thought everyone knew that already?

Hey Tony,
Yes, it's most certainly the material, but I think the material should follow the persona of the individual, not the other way around. Figure out who you are up there (G-d, I hate this word), "organically", then develop material around that. You'd never see Osterlind take on a Chris Angel-type persona-- you'll also never see Osterlind using "st--ges"... and vice-versa for Angel, I'm sure.

Can't you also say you're going to read a mind, and do it in a funny way? Check out DC's Cardiographic presentation/Moon Rise.

Sure you can and I don´t understand why it is so big problem for some of us. Like I said before, I only think where I put my funny lines and as long as they are in a right places there are no problems.

Pete

Really there is no answer to this question... obviously a mentalist CAN be funny, but the real question is... does the mentalist CHOSE to be funny? its a matter of preference... some people will want to be funny, others will not.... you just have to make your own mind up of which you want to be.

Noxas,

Thank you for that. There´s no better way to say that.

Pete

Don't miss watching John Archer.

Add Mel Mellers to the list too.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......1&15

And how about Chuck Hickok and Marc Salem - both have lots of humor in their acts!

I've heard great things about Graham P. Jolly. Anyone know where to find any video clips?

I like to believe my show is humorous as well.

Your show is who YOU are.

John

Ken Weber's "Maximum Entertainment" is a must-read. Above all, you must be compelling. Being technically the best, outrageously funny, flashy... at the end of the day, the audience will remember the performer to whom they releated the best, and who offered the most moments of wonder interwoven with their humanity.

Only one answer to your question, its actually to return the question to you.

do you think you can put a funny mentalism act? than just do it!

what if everybody tells you no? then you don't do it?
the mere fact that you are asking shows me that that is what you wnt to do. and if that what you want to do then you believe its possible. then do it... even if you're the first one to do it... ( which clearly would not be the case, but that's not the point)

Yes of course a 'mentalist' can be funny.
But, laughing at drunk hobos walking around singing with their trousers around their ankles is frowned upon though.

Too many make an effort to be funny because they don't have the confidence in their ability to present the material in a strong anough manner, or they believe (wrongly) that if the audience don't laugh, then they aren't having a good time.
This leads to too many peformers overshadowing wonderful pieces with bad jokes. I am so sick of seeing lousy performers ruin great material by running their mouths and trying to be funny when they should just shut up and perform the routine (as witnessed in every magic competition I have ever sat through).
Also, very few have the ability to be convincing and funny at the same time. I sincerely believe that if you aren't a naturally funny person then do not even try. You'll just be bad at it, and you'll ruin great material.

If you are naturally funny then you have the difficult task of finding a balance between material and laughs, so that people remember both aspects of your show. You don't want people saying 'I can't remember anything he actually did, but he was funny' unless you plan on being a comedian. The magic should still be the priority.
It's all about balance.

My show is very organic. It's got very strong 'moments of mentalims', and equally strong moments of merriment. It can be done, I do it, and that is why I get such a high proportion of repeat bookings. The audience must be engaged, and the performer must be flexible to be able to react in a manner that will engage each different audience. Sometimes I play up the humour, sometimes I play up the psychological components of the performance. A bride and groom don't want me to educate their 200 guests, and equally, a company director does not want me to showcase my top 100 one liners to his international business colleagues.

Find yourself, I get closer to doing to every show.