2006: The Year in Magic

We take a look at the year 2006 in magic starting with Lance Burton’s appearance in the New Year’s Rose Parade and ending with Penn Jillette’s debut as a game show host in early December.

Here are all of 2006's significant magic events that include: David Blaine’s water tank and gyro, Criss Angel’s second season of MINDFREAK, Jason Alexander debut at the Magic Castle, Milt Larson’s star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, FISM, Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show and lots more.

Lance Burton began the year by showing lots of class. The 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, was a rain-laden, water-logged affair, despite its magic-theme. Burton, aboard the Sweepstakes-winning FTD float, “Your Wish is My Command,” weathered the two-and-a-half hours of cold and rain, as well as constant taunts from the crowd to “make the rain disappear.” Click here to read our story.

Showtime announced that it picked-up seasons four and five of Penn & Teller: BULLS**T!. The order will consisted of 10, one-hour episodes for each season.

In February, Erie, Pennsylvania, hometown of the great Harry Keller, pitched the idea of a multimillion-dollar facility dedicated to magic. The facility would include a theater, restaurant, workshop for teaching magic and other attractions. Is it time for magic to have it’s own Hall of Fame in the vein of Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

In March, a maximum security prisoner housed at HMP Frankland, County Durham was banned from reading magic books. The prisoner said that he was simply pursuing his hobby while prison officials felt that he was trying to pick up some tips on escapology. At the time, we said, if the prisoner truly wants to learn and perform magic, he'll always have a captive audience. In a secondary story, England’s esteemed Magic Circle backed the prisoner’s request.

With the popularity of Apple's iPod and Sony's Portable Playstation, Official Poker announced its digital download store. The online store features downloadable tricks and lessons for $1.99. Could this be the wave of the future?

Asian illusionist Lawrence Khong announced a tour of American cities for April and May. "The Illusions of Lawrence Khong: A Magical Musical Adventure!" was produced by Gay Blackstone. Click here to read our story.

The world loses Channing Pollock who influenced countless other magicians. The legend died at age 79.

Due to what turned out to be exhaustion, David Copperfield cancelled two shows in Northwest Indiana while on tour.

Cesareo Pelaez, aka Marco the Magi, vowed to return to the stage after succumbing to a stroke six months earlier. Palaez is the founder and leader of the long-running stage magic show-Le Grand David and His Own Spectacular Magic Company. The production will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In April, American Idol’s Simon Cowell announced a new show that needed magicians. The show turned out to be "America’s Got Talent," which was also looking for comedians, singers, dancers, jugglers and animal and specialty acts, was dangling a one-million-dollar prize for the winner. Numerous magicians auditioned for the show. When the show aired during the summer, magician Nathan Burton and the fast-change duo of David and Dania received lots of airtime.

A San Francisco radio talk show host was fired after offering to pay a listener to kill magician Penn Jillette for controversial comments regarding Mother Teresa.

The Mouse House launches “Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show," which premiered in Columbia, South Carolina and eventually toured the United States. Starring Mickey Mouse, the show features some respected magic consultants that include Jim Steinmeyer and Siegfried & Roy. Click here to read our review of the show.

Actor Jason Alexander’s, the well known star of television’s “Seinfeld” and “The Producers” makes his magic debut at Hollywood’s Magic Castle. Jason Alexander delivered a mentalism set that was varied, well-crafted and entertaining. Click here to read our review of his show.

David Copperfield made news when he foiled some thieves who attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Copperfield was with two women in West Palm Beach Florida when four young men approached his party. At gunpoint, the men took money and belongings from the ladies, but Copperfield made it appear as if his pockets were empty. The thieves took off and were quickly apprehended by police. Some aspects of the case would be resolved by the end of the year.

The magic world loses Billy McComb, “The World’s Largest Leprechaun,” who died on Sunday, April 30, 2006.

In the magic month of May, in the biggest magic story of the year, at least from the lay public’s perspective, David Blaine submerged himself in a water tank where he would reside for the next seven days and then attempt to hold his breath underwater longer than any other human being. Blaine did remain submerged for the full term but fell short on his attempt to break the record. Click here to read our story.

A new twist, big name magicians such as David Blaine and Criss Angel were marketing DVDs so others can learn and perform the effects that they did on their shows. Click here to read our commentary.

Keith Barry’s “This is Extraordinary!” television special aired on CBS. The show, which showcased mentalism, was most noteworthy for its many Hollywood stars. While the show presented lots of effects that probably left viewers wondering how they were accomplished, the show played somewhat flat. Click here to read our review of Barry’s show.

The second season of "CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK" debuts on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. In the opening episodes, Angel levitates between two buildings and vanishes a spectator under seemingly controlled conditions. Click here to read our story on “Building Float,” and click here to read our story on “Vanish.”