glitter , no assistants and no big box tricks ; I called it Gorilla Magic . Along with a very highly regarded producer Michael Sloan , we had a pitch meeting with the head of HBO to try and bring this concept to the small screen . During the meeting , she just looked at us in amazed bewilderment , and then fairly patiently explained that this wasn ’ t how magic specials were supposed to be and it could never work . At that particular moment in time , she was probably absolutely right . Much as I liked my idea , I reluctantly realized she was right , and the concept was a non-starter . When someone with a great deal of experience , who was in a position to greenlight it , said no — then it was probably time for me to let it go . I could have continued battering my head against an invisible wall ; however , I moved on and saved my energy for another battle .

In 1996 David Blaine took the TV world by storm with a very similar approach to a TV special and Street Magic was born . The timing was just not right when I proposed the idea , and it was perfect for the time when David did . It usually isn ’ t a personal thing , just the weight and state of the universe that ultimately carries an idea to fruition . You have to be sensitive to where and when the energy is working in your favor and act accordingly . For lasting success in showbiz , it is necessary to keep your eyes and mind open and look for the next trend that might lead you onward and upward . I like the analogy of a surfer staying just ahead of the crest of the wave and achieving a subtle balance that allows him to produce a graceful movement that requires almost no effort on the part of the wave rider . Just being in the right place at the right time and keeping your balance gets the job done .

I could go into many specific details of some of the trends that I have seen sweep through the magic world in the years since I first became a magician , but here are just a few very simple ones . From the iconic white tie and tails of Channing Pollack and Cardini to the casual garb of Henning and Copperfield , it only took a couple of trendsetters to influence entire generations of magicians . Remember when that one weird guy at the local magic club ( wearing a pendant with a question mark on it ) was the only mentalist in town ? Nowadays there are more mentalists than you can shake a wand at . I now sometimes joke with bookers that I am the magician who doesn ’ t read minds ! One year every performer was an entertainer , a quick change in the federal tax deductions and suddenly everyone was a keynote speaker . Before David Blaine , there were no Street Magicians , after David , there were more street magicians than dove acts . I could go on with this list forever , but I want to zero in on what I consider the most interesting current trends that are available for a little career surfing .

After years of lamenting the lack of variety on network television , we are happily back in a golden era of variety programming . The most significant reason for this development is the America ’ s Got Talent show and the numerous other International variations that were inspired by

We are currently at a point of time where smaller magic in smaller venues is in vogue , and it is springing up in cities across the country .

the British prototype . When the show was launched initially in America , it was all about the BIG illusions and effects . However , times change , and recently various smaller forms of magic have been gaining serious traction and success . In 2015 the series was won by Mat Franco performing what amounted to parlor magic . In 2018 the contest was won by Shin Lim performing his breathtaking close-up magic . Somewhere between finishing my first draft of this story and sending it to my editor Shin Lim just won the AGT : The Champions , 2019 contest ; all my congratulations go out to him ! This successful segue to the more intimate side of our art form has been mirrored in the acts / routines featured on Penn & Teller : Fool Us and Masters of Illusion . The public has become infinitely more