With newspapers no longer "in fashion", I'd love to know what others have used instead of newspapers for their favorite torn and restored routines.

City tabloid rag? Poster? Comic book pages?

My primary method is a newspaper broadsheet via a hybrid Baxt Better Newspaper Tear and Mark Mason/Andy Dallas No Tear.

I also use Sreeni's Sooper Newspaper Center Tear in a silent sequence with a smaller format newspaper. I am considering switching this in my winter shows to Fantasio's checkerboard idea. It is a smaller size paper but still highly visible. See here at 2-minute mark:



Years ago, Fresh Fish was a staple in my birthday shows. But I switched to a faster paced hat tear.

Recently Jon Armstrong's Pulp Restoration with comic book pages was released on reelmagicmagazine.com. I think it would play great for parlor but doesn't have the same stage presence as a full-size flash restoration.

Ryan Pilling had a great youtube video on Alan Shaxon's tear which is very practical for tabloid size torn and restored.

I perform a hat tear in many of my magic shows. That can work as a substitute for a torn and restored newspaper (I still perform Gene Anderson's Newspaper Tear in some shows).

Andy Amyx sells a variety of hat tears (santa, wizard, happy birthday, bonnet), available through many dealers.

https://www.andyamyx.com/shop

- Donald

I love the cigarette paper T and R (“Undivided” by Martin Lewis) and I have my own presentation which does not vary much from what he would do but I adapted it to a particular piece of music that is a perfect “match” !
Also torn and restored napkin effect is great as well!

There's also the "no tear paper tear" which can use any size newspaper.

It depends on venue and audience size. But some of the choices in lieu of a newspaper tear:
Torn and restorned signed bill. One of my absolute favorites when I'm working in smaller venues and for smaller audiences. I'll get three audience members to sign the bill to increase audience involvement.
For a college age group I do like and do perform the torn and restored Cigarette Paper (Joint Paper). I can light the tissue paper at the end and have it turn into a rolled joint (wonderful prop by Steve Myers). Or just let the restored paper float down to the floor or bar top.
Torn and restored paper napkin for slightly larger venues and wedding reception, restaurants, bars/pubs, and parlors. Napkins can be very visible. I often use the Two tone (two different color napkins for an explaniation phase) or if impromptu-ish version just pick up some napkins at the venue and follow Bob White's model (Torn and Restored Tissue).

I also like to perform a version of the torn and restored newspaper using one of those free advertising circulars/flyers found for free at supermarkets. They are colorful and thus easy to see for a fairly large audience, larger than a paper napkin or dollar bill and plays well. I tend to favor Dick Barry's "Good News - Paper Restoration"
I also like tearing a cover off a commonplace magazine (like "People") and performing a torn and restored magazine cover routine. Cover is eventually found back on magazine. One easy to find version is Lu Brent's Torm and Restored magazine cover.

There is a nice signed, torn and restored JUMBO card that is also highly visible. It's Gene Anderson's version "The World's Greatest Jumbo Torn and Restored Car" found in his book "Wise Guy". Back in the late 90s it was my go to parlor, bar/pub/club routine.

Finally, to get away from paper, there is the Hindu or Gypsy Thread (Broken and Restored thread/yarn/dental floss/etc) and all its variants.

I have actually performed the one's I have listed.

There are good recommendations and ideas in the posts above above. It ought to be enough to get you brain storming.

Based on the name of the book, I assume you mean Harry Anderson and not Gene Anderson.

Just wanting to clarify for other readers of the thread.

- Donald

Donald, you are absolutely right!!! I meant to type Harry Anderson for the Jumbo Torn and Restored Signed Card. Duh me!!!

How about torn and restored Election info, adds, etc?

Seems like a ton of trash is accumulating until you sit down to make some decisions. Then you remember you don't know where your new drop-off point or polling place is.

- Mary Mowder

How about an SAT test booklet or Tax forms? You get frustrated and tear it up but think better of it.

My dog ate my home work?