Congratulation to local Criss Angel star of “Believe” at Luxor. He was awarded Magician of the Century by some magic group. Robin Leach was there and has a back stage interview and a photo of Angel, trophy aloft, on his blog. According to Leach, “Believe” is now claiming to be the best selling magic show in the world.
Is “Believe” even a magic show? Cirque and Angel did not like that label when “Believe” opened. There was very little magic in the show. To underline the point the magic present was notably unimpressive (lots of obvious illusions, the usual stage gimmicks yet regular technical difficulties). They are only now in the process of eliminating dancers and adding magic to “Believe.”
I wonder the definition of magic show that is being used to back this best-selling claim? It must be exclusive. Otherwise, you would have to include David Copperfield’s successful run for years at MGM Grand. Then there is Penn & Teller’s continued success as resident headliners at Rio. I am not saying Angel does not outsell them. It is theoretically possible. But here is the problem: “Believe” does not release their sales numbers and neither do Penn & Teller nor David Copperfield. These numbers are not available to be compared. So, how can anyone claim to sell the most?
Like so much in the world of Criss Angel, his fact claims compared to reality are likely to remain his best known illusion.
Has Believe really outsold Siegfried & Roy who spent a great many years in Vegas? By the way, up until the night Roy was mauled on stage at Mirage in 2002, the duo were billed as being named “Magicians of the Century.” To be fair they claimed the honor for the previous century as well. And, Angel gets chosen as singular and they had a plural–so, no redundancy.
But I am sad experts expect nothing better for magic than Criss Angel in the next 90 or so years. (Photo: Lanie Crossman)
I can’t take this man seriously now when I see him dating a 20 year old kid.
Yeah. Congratulations. I guess.
This is actually bad news for tourists though.
Just like in the past awards, this honor was given predominantly based upon his television show, not the live Criss Angel BeLIEve show at the Luxor. But somehow, someway, this award, by benefit of being mentioned alongside, is married up to his television site gags, hired shills who act astounded, and time lapse abilities before the cameras. When in actuality, neither of these two compare. His stage show basically sucks in entertainment value.
Ever since BeLIEve started, it has received bad reviews. Not only from local and national press, but by many, many tourists. Yelp.com commenters who attended this train wreck of a show attest to this. His show has been reviewed and it STILL consistently only warrants a 2 out of 5 stars rating. Right now, as I’m typing this, there are 149 comments…page after page of tourists complaining they were ripped off, not entertained at all, the magic was lackluster, Criss Angel has no talent, was not worth the money, some even fell asleep. One commenter mentioned there are shills out in the audience to show enthusiasm for Criss Angel’s lackluster magic. Another commenter could not figure out where the cheering and applause was coming from, but then realized they were “canned” and piped in through speakers in the back at the appropriate moments.
So, that’s the sad thing about this award. Tourists will end up still getting ripped off. I guarantee Cirque du Soleil will point this award out in ads…right along with their untalented headliner. And this will probably help them jerk up the ticket prices too.
Tourists still lose. Cirque and Criss Angel win by deflection. There is no “buyer beware” caveat to this award.
Cirque du Soleil douchebags will continue to take out their lamebrained business decision on backing the no talented Criss Angel on the public. And not taking the loss they should have taken over a year ago for an incredibly bad idea.
UnbeLIEvable.
I think there are people that like traditional magic shows and there are people that like to see the same magic but with a new style and delivery. There’s something in Vegas for everyone. I still say, if you don’t like Criss Angel, don’t go see the show. If you don’t like Copperfield, don’t go see the show. Who are we (as fans, or general public) to judge the awards given to these artists by their peers? If you talk to any other magicians, they will tell you how much they like Criss Angel and respect what he has done with his career. At some point, S&R were relevant, David Copperfield was relevant, and now Criss Angel is relevant, however, at some point that comes to an end. Let him have his run, he deserves it whether you like him or not. AND if you hate him…then that makes him a genius!
and btw – no one ever said that he was the “best” magician. Everyone knows that’s not so… I still think people go to the show to see HIM, not his magic. They’re curious about him. Whether it’s love or hate in your tone…you’re still talking!!
Enjoyed your comments, Mary, but you are over simplifying Criss Angel BeLIEve. You are basically looking at it with a jaded view that Criss Angel can do no wrong and contending that everyone look at this award. An award that fortifies his television show which provides excellent entertainment…but is not the same as the stage show in Las Vegas.
I say again…television does not equate to stage. And anyone that pays money here in Las Vegas at the Luxor to watch this piece of crap show will find out quickly what I am typing here. They are guaranteed to not be entertained and will be ripped off. Because it is not what it is thought (and advertised) to be.
Yet again I say, the television show is entirely different. This stage show in Las Vegas does not entertain, Criss Angel does not entertain, the show should not even be there and the false advertisement of this show performed by Luxor, MGM Management and Cirque du Soleil does not warrant the high amount of ticket prices for this total failure of a show; a show that should not even be associated in the same breath with other shows on the famed Las Vegas Boulevard.
Your jaded view of Criss Angel solely based upon you being a fan along with what you watch on his television show does not equate the same as the show here in Las Vegas, Mary. THAT is the truth. And volumes of dismal show reviews in Las Vegas all back this up.
So don’t snow people into forking over money, attending and watching a complete sinking TITANIC of a show on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. We really want tourists to come here. Not run away screaming.
I am pretty sure that I can speak for people who want to encourage people to come to Las Vegas and are involved with the tourism trade. In that we content don’t judge Las Vegas based on this horrible show at the Luxor. We all lay it out there on the line and tell the truth. You have been warned. It is my remiss duty to tell you that this show is crap. Period. No amount of flowery justifications can’t change that fact.
I have no ulterior motives other than to make sure that Las Vegas wins and turns around to get out of these dismal economic times. To encourage people to make Las Vegas their tourist destination…time and time again. And in order for Las Vegas to win in this effort, it is very much guaranteed that Criss Angel is not a part of this equation.
BeLIEve that.
Interesting poll I took. Rolling Stone out of touch with reality. I BeLieve u had something to do w/ that
hehe
I think Criss Angel ran his gamit in Vegas. I don’t see how he can ever gain respect again. He should get out of his live show and get out of Vegas. Start over somebody else and be the man he once was. Stop with the dating of teenagers and get himself a nice lady. He looks silly dating that teen Sandra from his show.
As one of my readers put it, maybe they took a century that no one was using, like the 11th Century. I don’t imagine the competition was too stiff back then.
You stupid fat people get a job and stop wasting your time here. Chris is a great magician and if you’er jealous, don’t be talking about him you fucking idiots. Don’t even think about replying to my post u moreons.
Criss USED HOLLY HO MADISON!!!!
It is me he really loves. Criss loves dating 20 year old chicks and I have been with him for years. He started dating me when I was 15 years old.
I will get him to marry me by the time I am 22 years old.
what about DAVID BLANE?IN WHAT WORLD IS CHRIS ANGEL BETTER THAN DAVID BLANE?