MindFreak, Season One, Now Free Online

I admit a recent craving for Hulu.com where I've been watching "The Biggest Loser," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Family Guy." I recently discovered that the entire first season of Criss Angel MindFreak is now available to watch online for free via Hulu.

It's interesting for me to go back in time and read my thoughts about Angel's first season. At the time, I even interviewed Angel just as the season got underway. This was long before Angel's Believe show in Las Vegas and all the criticism hurled from the magic community.

I reviewed the first two episodes, "Burned Alive" and "Levitation" in a single review.

I said in my review:
"Despite some great effects and Angel's brooding charisma, the show lacks the uplifting feel and impact of Copperfield's best television specials...Overall, Criss Angel Mindfreak was baffling, mystifying and mostly entertaining, which made it good for magic."

I stand by this statement today.

I also commented on Angel's new look and persona:
"I haven't seen Angel's first television special in a long time, but it seems to me that he is wearing less theatrical make-up these days, and, in interviews, is trying to portray himself as more of an average, affable guy that people can relate to. I think he is intentionally toning the down the extreme elements."

Of course, Angel eventually sold the secret to one of the show's levitations to the public on a DVD. You can watch the episodes, "Burned Alive" and "Levitation" on Hulu.com.

I also reviewed later shows in the season including the "Wine Barrel/Nail Bed" and "Prediction" and you can watch these via Hulu as well ("Wine Barrel", "Nail Bed" and "Prediction").

I said in a review of the entire first season:
"The high level of magic that Angel presented in his first season is a testament to his creativity and hard work and the dedicated efforts and contributions of his magic consultants and staff. While I recognized some magic effects, there were many that simply left me fried."

Was I being too nice? Many of you who wrote me thought so. But thanks to Hulu, you can now view the episodes and decide for yourself.

More Reading:
Review: Criss Angel Believe
About Magician Criss Angel
Interview with Criss Angel