But, using social media to pull audiences into theaters
where and showrooms where they sit close to each
other may be a thing of the past. While this story was
being prepared for publication, the novel coronavirus
swept over the globe and introduced everyone to terms
like “PPE” and “social distancing.” The days of crowded
spectators and audience participation are over, at
least for now. But, just as he has rolled with the hits
and jabs in his career to this point, Murray has
again adapted, and has used social media to do it.
“If anything, our production pace has tripled,”
said Murray. “I’m stuck at home with no job to
go to, just like millions of other Americans, so I
had to do something constructive with all my
new spare time!”
Instead of stages, he took the streets and his
own home, creating videos (often with Dani
and friend and stage partner Douglas “Lefty”
Leferovich) and airing them on YouTube,
Facebook, Instagram and even the challenging
Tik Tok platform, where videos run from 6 to 15
seconds.
“I’ve got a new Travel Channel show that just
came out, ‘Magic Caught on Camera,’ which
is going to be a showcase for some of my
most viral videos,” he said. “Also, the seventh
season of ‘Masters of Illusion on the CW has a
month early on May 15 and is running for 18
episodes -- five more than originally planned.
We have new ‘Pawn Stars’ episodes we filmed
this winter, and I’ve been a part of over three
different national telethon streams, online
and on television, to support pandemic
victims and frontline workers.”
“If there’s any silver lining, it’s that my
viewership has skyrocketed with more
and more people at home and thirsty for
entertainment,” Murray said. Now that
you’re all stuck at home, I’ve got the one
thing every performer dreams of: a captive
audience!”
20 JUNE | 2020
JUNE | 2020 21