Wizard Wars
Wizard Warsis areality competitionshow in which teams of magicians create and perform original magic routines before a live studio audience.[1]Their acts are judged on creativity, deception, and showmanship. Vegas headlinersPenn & Tellerhead up the judging panel, alongside magic criticChristen Gerhartand World Champion of MagicJason Latimer.Wizard Warsalso features four "home team" magicians—the "Wizards" —who return every week to take on new teams of "challengers." Wizards include street magicianJustin Flom,stage illusionist David Shimshi, mentalistAngela Funovits,and con manGregory Wilson.[2]The series premiered August 19, 2014[3]
Wizard Warswas created in 2012 by Vegas-based magic consultantRick Lax[4]and street magicianJustin Flom.Flom filmed the originalWizard Warspilot[5]in Lax's apartment, on a $15 budget.[6]The competing magicians created routines with placemats, beach balls, colored erasers and fake oranges. Flom's YouTube video, featured on Wired.com and BoingBoing.com, caught the eye of production company A. Smith & Co., who worked with Lax and Flom to sell the show to the Syfy network. Flom now stars in the show as a "Wizard";[7]Lax works behind the scene as a producer and magic consultant.[6]
Notable magicians appearing onWizard Warsinclude Kyle Marlett, Las Vegas headliners,Murray SawChuck,Tommy Wind,Nathan Burton, Greg Dow andJohn Stessel,[8][9]America's Got Talent's Leon Etienne, andNaathan Phan.
Over a million people watched theWizard Warsseries premiere.[10]The episode highlighted Canadian illusionists Chris Funk and Ekaterina, who ended up losing the "Wizard War" to "Wizards" Gregory Wilson and Justin Flom.
Speaking on behalf of Flom and himself, Lax said this of the Internet-to-series premier journey: “The most unlikely part of the YouTube-video-to-Syfy-show transition was that the originalWizard Warsvision stayed in shape...Everyone told me, ‘Hollywood is going to tear your idea apart,’ but that didn't happen. Only thing that happened was the magic got bigger and better.”[11]
Wizard Warsmaintained "very solid ratings"[12]and was renewed for another six episodes.[13]In these six episodes ( "Season 1.5" ) former Challenger Billy Kidd joins the cast as a full-fledged Wizard.[14]
Behind-The-Scenes[edit]
In August 2014Wired (website)offered viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Season 1 ofWizard Wars.[15]
Episode list[edit]
Season 1 (2014)[edit]
| Episode | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Spam-tastic!" | August 19, 2014 | |
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A team of Canada's best illusionists take on two edgy young American magicians to see who can best enchant an audience with everyday objects, including Spam, Super Soakers and the occasional deck of cards. | |||
| 2 | "Puppy Love" | August 26, 2014 | |
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Doggy snacks and a live puppy become magical in the hands of two competing teams of illusionists. | |||
| 3 | "Rated Arrrgh!" | September 2, 2014 | |
|
Competing teams make use of tarot cards, a rocking chair, sparklers, chess pieces and a pirate costume. | |||
| 4 | "Blown Away" | September 9, 2014 | |
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Two New Jersey street magicians take on the star of a British magic show and a world-renowned illusionist using a leaf blower. Who will win and get to enter the Wizard War? | |||
| 5 | "Battle Of The Vegas Strip" | September 16, 2014 | |
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Three of Vegas' best and a Texas charmer face off using household objects like garden gnomes and neckties to master-mind jaw-dropping magic routines and the chance to advance to the Wizard War! | |||
| 6 | "Birds Of A Feather" | September 23, 2014 | |
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Laughter-- and a few doves-- take center stage as teams of comedy magicians compete to see who moves on to face a team of Wizards armed with a confetti shooter! | |||
| 7 | "Fire and Mice" | January 29, 2015 | |
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Teams of magicians from Chicago and Las Vegas compete. Props include Tiki torches, a tennis racket and balls, and live mice. | |||
| 8 | "Silly Rabbits" | February 5, 2015 | |
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Pre-existing pairs of magicians test their years of chemistry against the Wizards in a battle that includes luggage, a cape and a white rabbit as props. | |||
| 9 | "Billy Bears All" | February 12, 2015 | |
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It's the U.S. vs. Canada battling it out for the chance to face the Wizards. Props include a giant teddy bear, a flying shark toy and footed pajamas. | |||
| 10 | "Mentalist Marvels" | February 26, 2015 | |
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Challengers from around the world battle it out using a down pillow, children's flash cards, and a dartboard with darts. | |||
| 11 | "Magic Carpet Ride" | March 5, 2015 | |
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In this 1970s themed episode, the contestants make magic fun using a guitar, jumbo-sized dominoes and a tutu. | |||
| 12 | "Walking on Water" | March 12, 2015 | |
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It's East Coast versus West Coast in this episode. It's creativity city with a pink lawn flamingo, a hula hoop, and a piggy bank filled with coins. | |||
References[edit]
- ^"Wizard Wars".Syfy.Retrieved2014-06-26.
- ^Las Vegas Review Journal,Give conjurers random props, set the clock, and... Presto, February 23, 2014
- ^‘’Gaming ‘’Today, This year's Tony Awards show was the best yet, June 17, 2014
- ^Angela Watercutter (2012-07-24)."Video: Vegas Magicians Face Off in Wizard Wars | Underwire".WIRED.Retrieved2014-06-26.
- ^"Wizard Wars Original Pilot".YouTube. 2012-07-20.Retrieved2014-06-26.
- ^ab"Magic News, Magic Videos and Podcasts" Blog Archive "Rick Lax and Wizard Wars [Magic Week in Review]".Itricks.com. 2014-03-02.Retrieved2014-06-26.
- ^Mr Pappagiorgio (2014-06-18)."Las Vegas Wizards Appearing On Syfy This August".VegasChatter.Retrieved2014-06-26.
- ^"Put Your Best Trick Forward (and Don't Forget the Spunk and Sass)".Retrieved2018-10-31.
- ^"'Foodgod' Jonathan Cheban displays 'diva' behavior at Halloween bash ".Page Six.2018-10-29.Retrieved2018-10-31.
- ^‘’Wizard Wars Conjures Up Over One Million Total Viewers
- ^‘Behind the Scenes of a Reality Show Where Magicians Fight for Fame
- ^‘It Is Hard Work -- and Some Magic -- That Makes 'Wizard Wars' a Success
- ^‘Six More Episodes of 'Wizard Wars' Ordered by Syfy
- ^‘'Wizard Wars' To Return For Second Season
- ^‘Behind the Scenes of a Reality Show Where Magicians Fight for Fame