996: Marc Spelmann - X Marcs the Magician

Mentalist, creator, BGT Finalist, and father, Marc Spelmann joins us this week for a delightful chat. Marc has developed and marketed (along with Peter Nardi of Alakazam Magic) many commercial tricks that are used in the repertoires of many professional mentalists around the world. When I think of a British mentalist, my mind first goes to Derren Brown. Next is Marc Spelmann. He was on Britain’s Got Talent not once, but twice: once as himself and the second time as the mysterious Magician X. Both times, he went very far in the finals before reaching the top.

If you are more of a visual person, then you will enjoy watching our conversation that was recorded using Zoom.

In the first part of this week’s episode, Marc talks about his beginnings in the magic community having worked with Simon Drake and his Secret Cabaret. He had several ideas that impressed Simon enough to consider him as part of the team. In the second part of our chat, Marc talks about his experience on Britain’s Got Talent and how it affected him emotionally when he lost. He also talks about the development of his character, X the Magician, and why he decided to return as a completely separate person/character than he did earlier.

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995: Richard Cohn - Coney Island Memories

The smell of the sea, the noise of the roller coaster, the sounds of laughter, the taste of a nickel hot dog, and the applause from the audiences watching magic shows in Coney Island around the turn of the 20th century. Those are some of the senses you will think about as you listen to this week’s podcast. Richard Cohn takes us way back in time when “Dime Museum Harry” Houdini was still performing there with his brother, Theo (or “Dash”) for 12 dollars a week in the late 1880’ and 90’s. There were so many others who came through Coney Island trying to “make it” in showbiz. One of those who “made it” and stuck around New York was the “Coney Island Fakir” Al Flosso, who performed there and operated a magic shop in New York City.

This week, Richard Cohn makes history come alive as he gives us dates and names of famous (and not to famous) magicians who spent time in Coney Island. He talks about the many rides and museums there, as well. Al Flosso, The Coney Island Fakir, found notoriety in and around New York as a frequent performer at high end shows plus children’s parties. He was also a frequent guest on the Ed Sullivan television show. Details on these and many other stories are in this week’s episode.

994: Michael Finney - Finney to the Bone

Michael Finney was explicitly voted by his peers as one of the Top 10 Comedy Magicians in the World in the April 2008 edition of MAGIC magazine. You will get no argument from me on that account. Michael is funny and has spread joy and happiness worldwide. Known for his trademark overgrown blond flattop haircut, booming voice, and distinct lack of pretense, Finney masterfully walks the line between a hardened stand-up comic and a top-tier illusionist. He is a magician, comedian, philanthropist, creator, traveler, producer, entrepreneur and overall a generally nice, sensitive family man. He has appeared at nearly all of the major magic conventions and for many years he performed aboard cruise ships, where he could still be today had it not been for COVID shutting down those opportunities.

Although not mentioned in our conversation this week, it should be known that Michael is a Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) and the creator of “Dry Heat Hot Sauce”, two completely separate endeavors. Michael created the “Dry Heat Classic” which has raised millions of dollars for children's charities, firefighters, and wounded veterans. It was intended as a golf tournament and fund raiser where his friends would play golf then finishing the day by performing on stage. This week, Michael recounts stories about his first magic trick investment, opening and closing his own comedy club in Phoenix, working on cruise ships, his first time (failed ) experience of performing in Las Vegas, getting kidnapped at gun point, the unexpected financial success of his comedy CD, plus many, many other stories, some of which you may have heard but most you have not.

996: Marc Spelmann - X Marcs the Magician

995: Richard Cohn - Coney Island Memories

994: Michael Finney - Finney to the Bone

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