I can understand why Valentino did this, yet I do understand the criticism he and the show received. In spite of said criticism and the lawsuits that he and the show received, he aspired fans and magicians to make new tricks, and that at least gets a tip of the hat from me. I read in a comment through here (and subsequently responded since I had no idea about it) that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October of 2017, and has refused conventional treatment. Currently he's still alive and still fighting. My thoughts and prayers go out to him, hoping he kicks this cancer to the curb, recovers and continues what he loves to do.
Valentino is corrrect. A lot of the sucess a magician has is in the presentation. I am retired after a career in TV production, and I love the way this show was produced. The warehouse with the subdued backlighting, the music, the mask and the way Vanentino is able to communitcate through gestures, the continuous video shots on the more dramatic illusions and of course the lovely assistants. Pileggi was great with the semi monotone, mildly sarcastic narration.
I love the Masked Magician.. his showmanship, delivery...A-1 Sadly, June 2018, Valentino has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and he has refused treatment...wanting to go out as is....
Thanks to your tip Dennis, I looked it up and he was apparently diagnosed with it in October of last year. He is still fighting it in spite of refusing conventional treatment. That is sad and very scary, my thoughts and prayers go out to him.
This man is a legend for exposing trickers and magicians so we can live with happiness we know the secrets he’s a legend magician for showing us the entertainment thank you
I don't think these ever got any home media releases (outside of that one VHS with the first episode from 1997 and a few other tricks), and I'm pretty sure it's because the pissed magicians would probably sue the distribution company and get these pulled from shelves quickly.
@@GamingDelight The main issue I have is that these streaming platforms tend to treat videotape footage, which is what this show was recorded on, like film footage, and they don't de-interlace the video into 60 progressive frames per second. It may seem a small step, but for online streaming it makes an enormous difference. That's why I can't really enjoy streaming platforms, aside from them being far too corporate (and in fact, being on this website is bad enough), they just don't know how to digitize interlaced video.
@@AhDollar Still, you assumed there would be litigation from other magicians if these specials were released on home media. But there were no reports of litigation when this was streamed on Netflix. So I seriously doubt legal threats are the reason these specials aren't on physical home media yet.
Same! The piano, the credits, the GUILLOTINE, THE TITLE SEQUENCE, THE WEIRD WAIL SOUND EFFECT, AND THE DIGITAL MASK IN THE TITLE SEQUENCE. But it was still a great show.
I know a lot of religious nuts who do believe in magic, god-induced mostly. I used to attend churches, so i know the the level of crazy that is religion.
4EverBanishment I didn't like the revival because it felt bland and forced. none of the same feel the original show gave off and it just felt so empty and sad. like a 2000s internet cartoon revival no one sees, or a netflix special that ends on short notice.
