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Mick Ayres Special user Hilton Head Island 998 Posts |
Without a doubt, Uri Geller was once the most controversial person in our wing of the conjuring industry.
This begs the question: Is Jim Callahan on his way to replacing Uri on the controversy-pedestal? I ask because, despite being away from the Magic Café, Callahan has remained the topic of several multi-page threads as Café members banter back and forth with their opinions about anything Jim does, says or claims. Threads such as these are not just here on the Café, but on other forums as well. Mick
THE FIVE OBLIGATIONS OF CONJURING: Study. Practice. Script. Rehearse. Perform. Drop one and you're done.
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
I think that its down to the public to put people on those pedestals mick...the fact that some people on here and other magic/mentalism forums do it doesn't ultimately mean much...
and I think as jim has a disclaimer of sorts on his site, he's different from Uri - I think the fuss over Uri was, back then, he was seen as "real"... and this is me, who likes and respects both you and jim... I think if some people don't have much else to contribute to other threads, they'll just mention jim, or try and have a go at a belief - cos they've got nothing else to say...
I've asked to be banned
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Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts |
It would be nice to see Callahan attain such a degree of fame and controversy, but his gag is spirit contact...old news, and people have already made up their minds about it. Nothing controversial.
Uri presented a new concept and a new talent, new abilities. It was the newness that propelled him. Plus, Uri came across as real, Jim comes across as a performer. Callahan's 'controversy' is contrived, set within a narrow slice of the Magic field, and is of interest to very few. But...it sure would be fun to watch him soar.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
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David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-17 12:43, Mick Ayres wrote: I respectfully disagree. Geller held himself out as real while the rest of us present as entertainers. It is only of late that Geller has adopted the mantle of “entertainer.” Before that he was being tested and promoted as the real deal which puts him in a far different category than what most of us do. Uri also came along at an appropriate time for what he was selling. He had an ingratiating personality. From what little I’ve seen of Callahan, which is admittedly not that much, he seems to come across as sort of angry and overly dramatic. His choice of “ability” spirit contact is, as has been previously noted, old news. Geller had something new and different with the metal bending. Geller wore well with the public. I don't know if Callahan has the same personality attributes to be lasting. |
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aukt Special user 763 Posts |
Callahan has attained virtually no marked public profile today, and I'm quite certain he never will.
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magicusb Inner circle 1135 Posts |
Spirit contact in not old news. Go to church or look at John edwards and Lisa Williams. Packing them in.
Check out http://HoudiniOpoly.com
Houdini Museum Tour & Magic Show. Only building in the world dedicated to Houdini. http://Houdini.org http://HoudiniDisplays.com http://PsychicTheater.com Scranton, Pa (570) 342-5555 "The truth shall make you free, but first it will make you angry." -Robert Ingersoll-Atheist (on the mind of Houdini when he died.) We are thrilled we were able to bring The Grim Game to the world! Thanks TCM. |
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David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Part of Geller's success was his apparent sincerity. That and the interaction with Randi helped a great deal.
Since Geller had something that appeared to be new people were interested...and it was the "Age of Aquarius" and the early part of the Human Potentials movement. (Ironically, George Leonard, one of the founders of that movment just died.) If Jim would devote his time and energy to becoming a good entertainer I think he would have a decent career. Trying to convice people that he's real (and prove Randi wrong) seems to me to be counterproductive to a career as an entertainer and a huge waste of time. Geller has been there and done it, no need to try and walk down that same path. |
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bobser Inner circle 4179 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-17 12:43, Mick Ayres wrote: The answer is no. As already said Geller was controversial whereas acts like Jim's are tame by comparison and as already stated by David, perhaps a tad overdramatic. Actually I always thought Jim's act was meant to be comedic, which I for one found truly hilarious. I never dreamt for a moment he seriously wished to be taken as genuine. Am I being told here that I always had it wrong???
Bob Burns is the creator of The Swan.
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David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-17 14:39, magicusb wrote: That's true, but neither of those people are hanging around magicians and on-line magic forums looking for recognition. |
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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
John Edward has already beaten Callahan to the punch. He's talking to dead people and like Geller, he's internationally known, is controversial and has the likability factor.
At best Callahan's act is a throw-back to the 80's when channeling was so popular, except it's worse because many people believed the channelers. With Callahan you're just watching a magic trick. Callahan needs to forget about Phenomenon and his Criss Angel confrontation and stop trying to make himself look good by making others look bad. He hasn't done anything publicly noteworthy in the 2 years since Phenomenon was aired. It seems that the press he received after the show was due to almost coming to blows with Criss, rather than his abilities/talent. The only pedestal of controversy Callahan stands on is the one for magic forums. |
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Is John Edward (no "s") still on television? I don't think he's on any of the stations we get in Canada any more, including the major U.S. stations. Perhaps his 15 minutes is coming to an end.
I'd also suggest that, while theatrical seances and such are still a viable entertainment possibility, David is right in that it's doubtful that focusing on that will break you into the big time. Having said all that, I have a feeling that Jim may surprise us one of these days. - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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magicusb Inner circle 1135 Posts |
We were just in Vegas a few months ago and John Edward was booked in a major casino doing his very expensive seminars, I am sure to good crowds. This was not his first time in Vegas.
I am not suggesting this route, but that does not mean it is dead! Pun and "double reality." :rolf: For just a few stories on spiritualism, seances, clairvoyance, etc., that hit the news in the last few days, etc., go to http://ParanormalistNews.com/Paranormalistspirtualism.html and that excludes Geller, who's news stories are listed on the site under entertainers. Geller has a bunch of stories that hits everyday, both good and bad. I do not think Randi helped Geller's career at all, Geller just went with it, and rolled with the punches. Geller had no choice. However I feel Randi's career was helped by Geller. Randi called the shots and he made the choices. Dick Brooks
Check out http://HoudiniOpoly.com
Houdini Museum Tour & Magic Show. Only building in the world dedicated to Houdini. http://Houdini.org http://HoudiniDisplays.com http://PsychicTheater.com Scranton, Pa (570) 342-5555 "The truth shall make you free, but first it will make you angry." -Robert Ingersoll-Atheist (on the mind of Houdini when he died.) We are thrilled we were able to bring The Grim Game to the world! Thanks TCM. |
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bobser Inner circle 4179 Posts |
I'm with Domino Magic. Jonathan Edward is probably 'THE' name used for this particular genre here in the UK and, with great respect, not one single person I've spoken to has ever heard of jim. Nor indeed any of us, LOL.
To be as big as Edward you have to be as good as Edward. Or as good as The Edward Machine. On Edward himself, he is a fantasic performer, utterly plausible with no dramaticism of any kind. As Laurence Olivier said: "It's called acting dear boy".
Bob Burns is the creator of The Swan.
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Dick: re: your link -- Hardly news items and not even remotely the Big Time.
I doubt very much that John Edward was "booked" into the Las Vegas room. I may be wrong, but I expect that he rented the room for his seminar. - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
John Edwards is almost certainly four-walling the room, especially given his 11 AM show time. His "big brass ones" are in sight by what he's charging:
VIP - $ 225.00 plus Golden Circle - $ 175.00 plus (* sold out) Main Floor - $ 150.00 Balcony - $ 100.00 From his website: "Each two hour seminar consists of a Question and Answer session and an exciting opportunity to witness messages from the other side." However there is a caveat at the end of that sentence: "Guests are part of a larger audience, thus no one attending the seminar is guaranteed a reading." He was there yesterday and will be back in early March and is doing an appearance in Reno, too. |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
In answer to the original question, and at the risk of offending his "fans" (such as there are), Geller achieved international fame and was taken quite seriously by everyone except a large segment of the magic community. By comparison, Callahan is a nonentity. Was he widely known prior to his appearance on Phenomenon? Did he become widely known, acclaimed or taken at all seriously -- other than here on the Café -- afterward? If so, I haven't seen or heard of it. Apart from a few subscribers to the Café, the only person who seems to take Callahan seriously is Jim Callahan.
If I've offended anyone, I'm sorry but "I calls 'em as I sees 'em."
Dick Christian
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
John Edward was here in Boston not too long ago, the same week that Allison Dubois was here (I did make her event). Unfortunately, I found out too late and he was sold out. Hopefully next time…
Tony |
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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-01-17 15:31, entity wrote: Just because he's not on TV doesn't mean his fame has come to an end. He still does TV appearances. Copperfield no longer does an annual special and yet he still headlines in Vegas. He is still touring. He doesn't need to do the annual grind and Edward doesn't need to do the weekly grind. |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
As re: John Edward, do the math. If he only sells 100 tickets per session, and if they are all only the "cheap" ones at $100 each -- an intentionally low estimate -- he's raking in $10,000 per session. Even if his expenses (room, sound, lights, ushers, etc.) are $5,000 -- which is probably a high estimate -- he's still netting $5,000 per session. Not bad for a day's work. Multiply that by appearances in other cities -- and I expect that "sellout crowds" are typical -- he is tapping a goldmine and he is unlikely to exhaust the supply of the grieving and gullible any time soon. And that doesn't take his allegedly large "private clientele" into account. We need shed no tears over the fact that he no longer has a regular TV show.
Dick Christian
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magicusb Inner circle 1135 Posts |
I would guess John Edward's venues are probably 1,000 seats or more. Anyone know? If it is, that's over $100,00.00 per show. Easy at the rates shown above. Plus BOR sales.
Check out http://HoudiniOpoly.com
Houdini Museum Tour & Magic Show. Only building in the world dedicated to Houdini. http://Houdini.org http://HoudiniDisplays.com http://PsychicTheater.com Scranton, Pa (570) 342-5555 "The truth shall make you free, but first it will make you angry." -Robert Ingersoll-Atheist (on the mind of Houdini when he died.) We are thrilled we were able to bring The Grim Game to the world! Thanks TCM. |
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