In this week's "YouTube" edition of "America's Got Talent," Dan Sperry made a huge impact. His routine was an unusual and rather risky choice that he masterfully presented for maximum effect.
Sperry opened his segment with a fast and visual production that was accompanied by edgy music. With his Goth appearance, he immediately commanded everyone's attention and piqued their interest. The music then changed to a fifty's style ballad that contrasted with Sperry's persona and provided a fantastic setting for what followed.
Since his trick with the floss and candy was a close-up effect, Sperry wisely left the stage and approached the judges to perform. It was the best place to present the bit of geek magic that is designed to freak out spectators. And by performing in front of the judges, Sperry gained an intimacy that would have been lost had he stayed on stage and played to the camera.
The over-the-top reactions on the part of the show's judges may have been more for Howie Mandell's reaction to the floss, but Sperry created a stunning showstopper. From the staging to the music and the presentation itself, there was so much that Sperry did right. Well done.
You can watch a video of Sperry's performance here.
More Reading:
Dan Sperry Talks About Las Vegas Magic and Lance Burton
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Murray Sawchuck Delivers on "America's Got Talent"
Comments
I agree that his trick with the floss and the lifesaver couldn’t have been performed any better. As for what he did after that, though… Well, I get a little squeamish at the sight of blood, even fake blood. I can’t be the only one.
I loved Dan Sperry’s performance, from the beginning to the end, awesome. The reactions from the judges was priceless and my thoughts are that Mr. Sperry totally had foreknowledge of some mystical sort as to where he should casually just “Toss the Floss”.
It is alleged that Mr. Mandell is a germ o phobe.
My uncle is the same way. But worse Had he been the judge he would have jumped out of his skin.
When i saw it happening I said “Don’t do it” by shear reflex.
Oh and I agree with Kenn the timing move was one I will not forget for a long long tome. The best.
Dan carved out his own unique space with his performance and inhabited it brilliantly. While it was hard to see on the broadcast, I can’t imagine the floss would have gone more than a few inches before drifting to the ground, never really approaching Howie closely. Does Dan always throw the floss like that or did he do so to elicit a reaction? I don’t know — but Dan was again brilliant to just ride out the result and let the situation rise and fall on its own steam. And the denouement of drawing twin tracks of blood from his eyes down his face not only highlighted his call-in number, “11,” it did so in a way that was perfectly suited to his persona. Could this be the year we have a magician in the final ten?
As much as I usually can’t stand America’s Got Talent, I made sure to watch this because Dan is my favorite magician. I always love his presentation, and I dig how he started off making everyone think he was going to do a typical flashy bird routine. The problem is that now whenever I see his name anywhere it’s preceded by “America’s Got Talent star/magician/contestant” and he’s been around longer than this. But it was a great performance and I’m definitely proud of him. I’ve never seen Sharron Osborne laugh so hard.