Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Ouch, my freakin' mind!

What do you get when you combine the mysticism of David Blaine, the wonder of David Copperfield, and an odd desire to pretend to be some sort of gothic figure? Nope, it's not the latest rumor of political scandal. It's the subject of tonight's writing.

In effort to satisfy a readership thirsty for an examination of the closest thing prime time television has to Houdini's Transylvanian cousin (Draculini?), it's time for an examination of Criss Angel's Mindfreak.

The show opens with a theme song that makes me feel as if I'm about to be trampled in a mosh pit, only to have people spit on me afterward... Fun start to the show.

The big event on tonight's episode is the "safe prediction." Apparently the so-called Mr. Angel makes some sort of prediction, locks it in a safe, only to have it shown a week later to a stunned crowd.

I have a different sort of "safe prediction." I can safely predict that this show won't become part of my regular viewing schedule.

Apparently, one of Criss' big tricks is the ability to grow a full Grizzly Adams beard on demand, as he did not have such an overbearing amount of facial hair in the previous camera shot. Sure, they're editing clips from different time periods in the same episode, but I like my imagination better.

Following the first commerical break (featuring the cartoon bears that advertise toilet paper... I've heard the phrase "Does a bear poop in the woods?" but the folks at Charmin taking things a bit too far), it's time for Criss (back to no beard) to demonstrate some telekinesis. The trick features a glass box, a pepper shaker and a pencil. Unfortunately, it seems that telekinesis requires more grunting than a U.S. Open tennis match. After he makes more noise than a grizzly settling for a non-Charmin brand, Criss finally gets the pencil to spin atop the shaker... Ooooh.

Commercial break two has passed, and now beardy Criss (who looks a bit like the Macho Man in his nWo days) is back and is looking for some viewer interaction. He gives some instructions, which end with the viewer touching the screen. Apparently those who touched it when he said to were supposed to feel something. I'm much to dedicated to my typing (read: lazy) to go up to the TV, thus the only feeling that struck me was the desire to change the channel.

Back to Criss* sans giant patch of velcro on his face, and we're nearing the conclusion of the "safe prediction." In the shock of the century, his prediction was correct.

*Wouldn't Criss Cross have been a better name than Criss Angel? Then the show could have a better theme song.


Because people love nothing more than creepy magicians, another episode follows. He begins by hanging out with The Girls Next Door and making the type of cheesy puns one might expect from a guy overwhelmed by large... personalities. Unfortunately, he kind of comes off like the guy who would hit on your girlfriend even though you're standing right there... Yeah, that guy.

One segment later, he performs a slight-of-hand with some business cards in a restaurant. The result leads one diner to say "Criss Angel for president"... Apparently he didn't realize Duck is campaigning.

The new president of the Beard Club for Men is now back performing a card trick. He's also sporting some sort of handcuff necklace and more rings than the sixth planet from the sun... Interesting presidential garb to say the least.

For his final illusion, Criss made actor Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi appear out of seemingly nowhere. Then again, where else can you come from when one of your film credits is All Babes Want to Kill Me?


Fighting all notions of logic in this world, another episode of Mindfreak has just started... Unfortunately my mind simply cannot handle any more "freaking." I'm off to work on my own illusion... I call it, "getting the last hour back."

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