‘Criss Angel’s Magic With the Stars’ Recap: ‘Easy Rider’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Criss Angel’s Magic With the Stars’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the importance of showmanship when it comes to the art of magic, courtesy of The CW series, Criss Angel’s Magic With the Stars. Simply because Criss, and Lance Burton and Loni Love, have hammered home to every single competitor on the show, the absolute importance of being able to work the crowd and engage them and include them. Since that will in fact, provide the audience or the viewer at home with an immersive and fun experience and well, after weeks of bringing celebrities along in this particular artform and how it works and how impactful it can be… last night’s episode offered up quite the surprise regarding this.
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For ‘Easy Rider’ was an episode that was host to a pair of true showmen, Actors Matt Walsh, and Michael Ian Black. Who are well known for their comedic endeavors and of course, their appearances in countless popular television shows and cult classics and well, since they are master comedians, an art that requires an understanding of how to work a crowd and elicit an emotional response… they came out and completely and utterly put on a masterclass in showmanship. For Matt’s opening illusion, one where he played Criss’ Uncle, left people in stitches, and really warmed everyone up, and the same went for Michael’s routine as well. Since his innocent yet twisted magician routine kept smiles on everyone’s faces.

Which in turn led to our closest competition to date since the stars awarded were fairly even, and that close nature of this competition didn’t end there. For both men once again impressed in the Close-Up Round and continued to captivate and leave people laughing heartily, including the judges. Which meant, it was all going to come down to the Grand Illusion Round to determine which of these epic showmen were going to go home with the Golden Wand and even then, showmanship made determining who that would be, quite difficult. Because there were zero doubts and snafus during the training portion of this round. For Matt and Michael were eager to put on a show and had the confidence to do it and when the time came to take the stage, put a show they most certainly did.

Because Criss’ Uncle and Michael, returned to pull off Easy Rider. Wherein the audience helps the magician to conjure a motorcycle and a rider out of thin air and good heavens, did Matt pull out all the stops. For he had the crowd hooting and hollering and he of course, pulled off the illusion without a hitch, giving him high marks and Michael… hung with him. For he too put on an epic show, and even added an amazing twist to the trick by offering up a comedic moment to surprise the audience and entertain them further and well… once the illusions were in the books, the judges struggled mightily to pick a winner. Because this duo, simply slayed on stage and really did impress the crowd from beginning to end. But alas, someone had to win and Criss did make a decision regarding that.

As to who that was, as always… we won’t spoil here. Because you need to share in that joy in the moment. But we can say, it was a stunner of a decision since it could have gone either way. But what matters more here, is that at long last, we were able to see EXACTLY what proper showmanship accomplishes when it is applied to a magic act, and clearly… the bar is now set for competitors going forward. Because Matt and Michael were simply phenomenal on stage and really made an already enjoyable series, even more enjoyable and truly, it will be fascinating to see if anyone can match their energy and theatrics as season one of this refreshing and delightful show continues along. Until next time.  

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