Hi Everyone, If you had the opportunity to have your own T.V. show, what would you do? would you make it a variety show? Would you make it a music videos show? Would you include magic? And if so, how much and what kind of magic would you include?
I'll appreciate your opinions. thanks

Doing magic for T.V. is tricky. Not only do you have to have new material every show- you have to have a whole new script at hand. If you work with assistants it can get even worse. It's a lot of work- but pays off if you make it through the first year.

I was asked by our local public access station to produce and host something, since they were nice enough to air a couple of stage shows I did in the area. At first I was really excited about the idea, and then I thought about everything that would be involved.

First off, I do videography in addition to being a magician. So I know that I would be doing most of the editing and post production, not to mention scripting, and interviewing and probably even writing the shows. That's a lot for one person to tackle.

I think that if you wanted to do a show and do it right, make sure that your only job is hosting the show and doing the magic. I think that by having to be resposibile for every little detail would detract from me as a host, and make the show less entertaining.

I would love to do something like this as a project, but I think I would have to either choose being behind the scenes or in front of the camera, not both.

I have created a complete business plan for a weekly TV show but never followed through with it because of the cost involved.

Thanks for your postings, I was offered to do segments between 1 to 5 minutes for a local station. They will be aired as a filler and is going to be without an audience, just me on a table doing close-up or some kind or stage routine without any assistants. I apreciate all your ideas and feedback.

I was the guest on a local half hour talk that I could have easily made into 3 hours. We are now talking about doing a show of my own. I have been working long enough and have enlisted a partner to help with content, but the main thing is that we are going to sell the show before we go into production. By selling I mean advertisers, because without them no station will keep you on.

I'd just have a television special instead of doing it every day.

I would love to do a series of about 7 television programs

I do currently a monthly childrens show for our local public access cable station. They would only go for the proposal of the childrens show for now, but it has been well worth the effort, lots of hard work however. Each show I get a copy of it on tape, and thus I have a really nice promo video, that I paid absolutely nothing for.

It depends. If for example your production company is one that deals with magic then the answer is just about anything you want. You say what and assuming they like it they work out how.

I would do specials - like Copperfield. And they would be live shows like Copperfield. Not trying to copy Copperfield, he just beat me to it.

I'd want to do something similar in format to the Secret Cabaret (ie an old-school variety approach, with magic mixed with guest alt. cabaret and circus acts in an underground vein), but more in our own style with less of an overt horror theme, simply because that's now been done so much (and so well) already. That said, it would still be macabre, but in a more playful, mischievous way (eg. P+T). Mouthy pair that we are, we'd talk a lot more than Mr. Drake's silent approach, and we'd have different characters as part of the franchise, either played by ourselves or by other performers we'd cast in the roles.

I actually have a pipedream of putting this together on a hired club stage one day (once we've got our own act properly off the ground).. I don't know if it'll ever happen but I can dream.

I really don't think I would do a TV Show. I'm of the opinion that magic is a live performing art. While some TV shows have been successful in promoting magic, I feel that television lacks the power of live performance. People are used to seeing incredible things from television and films, but very rarely do they get to experience immersion in live and interactive special effects. To me, the live show is the only RIGHT medium for magic.

If I were pressed to do magic for television I would focus more on the amazement of the audience rather than spectacle. I think this is what David Blaine's producers, directors and editors did well in his specials. Naturally the magic must be strong and well conceived, it must fit the personality of the performer and it must stand up to the "video tape review test". From my own repertoire, I would select my routines for the Malini Egg Bag, Cards Across, Losander’s Floating table, and Spoon Bending.

Mine would be an expose' on the lives of the people who have taken the art out of our artform. I would call it:

"Secrets of Network Television Executives Revealed"

...just so they know how it feels. What do you think?

-E

I think that the Ideal Magic TV Show must be 1 per year (like Copperfield) You have a whole year to prepare everything that you need. That same special could be repeated other times in the year, but you are working on a new one for the next year.

About the theme (because it must have a theme)It doesn't matter what theme you choose, but it must be consistent.

Thanks everyone for your opinions, the program I'm currently working on is a series of five minutes segments no audience just me performing a trick. give me your opinion as to what tricks (close up would you recommend performing. thanks again!

I was contacted to go into the studio to tape my act...we brought in a bunch of kids for a live audience and did the show....it aired on a statewide cable network in Wisconsin for 6 months.

I was impressed with the post production work.

Bryan

I agree with MagicbyCarlo that the reaction of the audience is the thing to focus on, because without that reaction a trick is just a trick - with the reaction it can become a miracle.

I don't envy Ricahato, doing five minutes without audience feedback - just like doing it for yourself in front of a mirror which is necer as good as in front of Kids (in my case).

Dick Williams had a weekly Magic show on WMCT,here in Memphis<for twenty-three year.he spell it all out in"Lights!Camera!Magic!".David Ginn has the book on sale this month for $10.00.The first thing you shold do is buy and read it.Priceless.

I do a weekly tv show. For me I never have had a problem yet finding new tricks to do. For me it keeps me thinking and coming up with brand new stuff. From it I am coming out with a line of street/ close - up effects. Yes it is hard work but if you want to make magic your life go for it.