Greg Allen says:

OK: I’m going to write this BEFORE I seen the end:

1) There are holes in the floor to poke Teller’s head up.
2) Penn puts his OWN hand through hole when he is carrying the box.
3) A mirror is used to make the stand look like you can see under it.

WAS I CLOSE?

OK, no mirror.

I’m not a magician but it kind of bothers me when they reveal it like that.

For me, half the fund of magic is trying to figure it out and it takes away that fun when they so easily reveal it.

… I’m still trying to figure out that sunglasses stunt video that was posted about a year ago! That was awesome!

JFStan says:

So many people have missed the point of this performance..

It was an illusion CREATED by P&T to BE exposed. I’ve been a professional magician for 20 years, and I’m here to tell you, if this illusion were a performance only piece, Teller wouldn’t be working nearly as behind the scenes.

People also tend to forget that magic is a form of entertainment. We do not intend to outright decieve our audiences, nor do we intend to make people believe what we do is “real”. The audience chooses to suspend their disbelief, just like watching a movie.

I would really like to know, Greg, why you feel so challenged to figure out and announce the solution to this illusion (even though the method is revealed)? I understand that it’s human nature to share information, expecially information that others may not possess, but you really come off as saying to others, “Jeez, are you too stupid to figure this out?”

Magic is not a “puzzle” to be figured out; it’s meant to entertain by creating the illusion of something impossible (or very unlikely). In this case, P&T created an over-the-top riduculous method of doing a classic trick, and exposed it, just to be funny and entertaining. And it works.

JFStan says:

“I have to wonder how well you understand your own profession, JFSTAN”

Greg, let’s not get personal here. I understand the many facets of magic more than words can say. I have lectured on the subject to other professionals and have studied works by the greatest minds in magic. It is not the point here, and I take issue with your accusation.

That aside, it is indeed YOU who felt the need to post your “exposure” of this illusion before watching the end of the video. You say you enjoy magic and dislike exposure, yet that is precisely what you did. Are you saying you would NOT have exposed it here if it were not exposed later in the video?

My point is this: This illusion’s method is meant to be exposed and is unlike most other illusions of its kind. If you were to see another performance of a similar illusion, what you “learned” from this trick wouldn’t be applicable, and therefore the mystery would remain.

Now, Greg, be assured that we’re on the same side.. The mystery of magic is its biggest attraction, and exposure hurts the art. I deal with it EVERY DAY. But I have studied the psychological aspects of performing, and believe me, the mystery, without proper presentation and entertainment value, is nothing more than a puzzle, and puzzles invite analysis, not applause. If you enjoy the analysis side of the equation, that’s fine, but I shoot for the latter.

JFStan says:

Bubba, you are NOT from a bygone era.. I am a close-up “artist” (as you describe it) and put hundreds of hours of practice into my magic. How is my point getting missed here? We are all on the same page!

If you don’t like P&T and/or what they do, then that’s fine.. But separating them from other magicians based the points made thus far is simply wrong. They are not hurting the art in ANY way, they work extremely hard on all their routines, and they’re successful. But again, if simply don’t like their style, that’s fine! That doesn’t mean they suck, nor does it mean that the art and mystery are things of the past.

And yes, Bubba, I have, but it was a $100 bill. 🙂