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Mystery Magical Special
''Mystery Magical Special'' (also known on screen as ''Marc Summers' Mystery Magical Tour'') is an American television special aired on Nickelodeon. Advertised as a Halloween-themed program, the special was originally produced in 1988, but continued to air, often multiple times, every October for several years afterward, ceasing after 1996. Primarily, the special was designed to show off the talents of stage magicians Lance Burton and David Avadon, as well capitalize on Marc Summers' then-newfound popularity as the host of the game show '' Double Dare''. Actors Shiri Appleby, Jonathan Brandis and Trenton Teigen also appear, with ''Addams Family'' star John Astin makes a cameo appearance. Filming took place at The Magic Castle The Magic Castle is a clubhouse for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. It is in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California and it bills itself as "the most unusual private club in t ... in Los ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Television Special
A television special (often TV special, or rarely television spectacular) is a standalone television show which may also temporarily interrupt episodic programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. Some specials provide a full range of entertainment and informational value available via the television medium (news, drama, comedy, variety, cultural), in various formats (live television, documentary, studio production, animation, film), and in any viewing lengths (short films, feature films, miniseries, telethons). Examples The types of shows described as television specials include: *One-time comedy shows *Adaptations of operas, Broadway plays, and other musicals *Celebrity profiles, interviews, or tribute specials * Seasonal programs or parades: Christmas television specials, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, New Year's Eve *Theatrical films and "made-for-TV" movies * Animated cartoons (shorts) *Irregular sports events: Olympic Games, Super Bowl *Beauty pageants: ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (often shortened to Nick) is an American pay television channel which launched on April 1, 1979, as the first cable channel for children. It is run by Paramount Global through its networks division's Kids and Family Group. Its programming is primarily aimed at children aged 2–17, along with a broader family audience through its program blocks. The channel began life as a test broadcast on December 1, 1977 as part of QUBE, an early cable television system broadcast locally in Columbus, Ohio. The channel, now named Nickelodeon, launched to a new countrywide audience on April 1, 1979, with ''Pinwheel'' as its inaugural program. The network was initially commercial-free and remained without advertising until 1984. Throughout history, Nickelodeon has introduced several sister channels and programming blocks. Nick Jr. is a preschool morning block launched on January 4, 1988. Nicktoons, based on the flagship brand, launched as a separate sister channel in 20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Halloween
Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve) is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints ( hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. One theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, which are believed to have pagan roots. Some go further and suggest that Samhain may have been Christianized as All Hallow's Day, along with its eve, by the early Church. Other academics believe Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallow's Day. Celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, Irish and Scottish immigrants took many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century,Brunvand, Jan (editor). ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stage Magic
Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of illusion, stage magic, and close up magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It is to be distinguished from paranormal magic which are effects claimed to be created through supernatural means. It is one of the oldest performing arts in the world. Modern entertainment magic, as pioneered by 19th-century magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, has become a popular theatrical art form. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, magicians such as Maskelyne and Devant, Howard Thurston, Harry Kellar, and Harry Houdini achieved widespread commercial success during what has become known as "the Golden Age of Magic." During this period, performance magic became a staple of Broadway theatre, vaudeville, and music halls. Magic retained its popularity in the television age, with magicians such as Paul Daniels, David Copperfield ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lance Burton
William Lance Burton (born March 10, 1960) is an American stage magician. He performed more than 15,000 shows in Las Vegas for over 5,000,000 people until retiring after 31 years in 2010. Professional history Burton first became interested in magic at the age of 5, when he was one of the volunteers at a magic show of Magician Harry Collins. The trick was The Miser's Dream, where Collins "pulled silver dollars out of the sky" and Burton's ears. The young Burton was fascinated, and a neighbor, hearing of his interest, gave him a book, ''Magic Made Easy'', which her own (then-grown) children had used. It contained ten tricks, all of which young Burton quickly learned. His first performances were for neighborhood children, charging them a nickel each. Collins, a full-time magician, noticed the interest, and became his mentor when Burton was in his teens, teaching him the fundamentals of the trade. In 1977, as a teenager, Burton entered his first magic competition and won first prize ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
David Avadon
David Avadon (December 11, 1948 – August 22, 2009), formerly "David Hutchins," was an American illusionist who billed himself as the country's "premier exhibition pickpocket." He lectured and wrote a book on pickpocketing and performed his trademark theatrical pickpocketing act for more than 30 years. Early years Avadon was born in Inglewood, California, his mother being an acrobatic dancer and his father an engineer. Avadon grew up in West Los Angeles and began practicing magic as a hobby while in elementary school. He studied theater at UCLA and studied magic with Dr. Giovanni and Marian Chavez. Professional illusionist In his 20s, he changed his name from David Hutchins to David Avadon. He began appearing as a professional illusionist at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and other clubs in the 1970s. He remained a regular performer at the Magic Castle for more than 30 years. After Avadon's death in 2009, Mark Nelson, chairman of the Academy of Magical Arts which operates ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Marc Summers
Marc Summers (born Marc Berkowitz; November 11, 1951) is an American television personality, comedian, game show host, producer, and talk show host. He is best known for hosting '' Double Dare'' for Nickelodeon, and ''Unwrapped'' for Food Network; he was the executive producer for both '' Dinner: Impossible'' and '' Restaurant: Impossible'' also for Food Network. Early career Summers was born Marc Berkowitz in Indianapolis, Indiana, to a Jewish family. He attended Westlane Middle School and North Central High School in Indianapolis and Grahm Junior College in Boston. After consulting with Rabbi Weitzman of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation about whether to pursue a career as a rabbi or as an entertainer, Rabbi Weitzman told Summers, "As a rabbi, you can help a small congregation a lot, but as a performer you can help a lot of people a little." Summers decided he preferred to help a lot of people, which set his path to becoming a performer. In the beginning of his career he was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Double Dare (franchise)
''Double Dare'' is an American television game show in which two teams compete to win cash and prizes by answering trivia questions and completing messy stunts known as physical challenges. It originally ran from 1986 to 1993. A revival ran in 2000, and the most recent revival ran from 2018 to 2019. Hosted by Marc Summers, the program originally premiered on Nickelodeon on October 6, 1986, as its first game show. The series saw many adjustments in scheduling and titling throughout its run. Almost immediately after its debut, ''Double Dare'' had more than tripled viewership for Nickelodeon's afternoon lineup, becoming the most-watched original daily program on cable television. The program was a major success for Nickelodeon, helping to establish the network as a major player in cable television and to revitalize the genre of game shows for children. ''Double Dare'' remains Nickelodeon's longest-running game show. In January 2001, ''TV Guide'' ranked the show number 29 on its li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shiri Appleby
Shiri Freda Appleby (born December 7, 1978) is an American actress and television director. She is best known for her leading roles as Liz Parker in the WB/UPN science fiction drama series '' Roswell'' (1999–2002) and Rachel Goldberg in the Lifetime/ Hulu drama series '' Unreal'' (2015–2018). Her major film credits include '' A Time for Dancing'' (2000), '' Swimfan'' (2002), ''Havoc'' (2005), '' Charlie Wilson's War'' (2007), and ''The Devil's Candy'' (2015). Appleby also starred as intern Daria Wade in the final season of the NBC medical drama series '' ER'' (2008–2009). She later starred as Cate Cassidy in The CW drama series '' Life Unexpected'' (2010–2011) and as Lucy Lambert in the web comedy series ''Dating Rules from My Future Self'' (2012). Appleby also had recurring roles on the NBC drama series '' Chicago Fire'' (2012–2013) and the HBO comedy-drama series ''Girls'' (2013–2014). Early life and education Appleby's Israeli-born mother is of Moroccan Jewis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jonathan Brandis
Jonathan Gregory Brandis (April 13, 1976 – November 12, 2003) was an American actor. Beginning his career as a child model, Brandis moved on to acting in commercials and subsequently won television and film roles. Brandis made his acting debut in 1982 as Kevin Buchanan on the soap opera ''One Life to Live''. In 1990, he portrayed Bill Denbrough in the television miniseries '' It''. Also in 1990, he starred as Bastian Bux in '' The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter''. In 1993, at the age of 17, he was cast in the role of teen prodigy Lucas Wolenczak on the NBC series ''seaQuest DSV''. The character was popular among teenage viewers, and Brandis regularly appeared in teen magazines. Brandis died by suicide in 2003 following a period of heavy drinking and career setbacks. Early life Jonathan Brandis was born in Danbury, Connecticut, the only child of Mary, a teacher and personal manager, and Gregory Brandis, a food distributor and firefighter. At the age of two, he began his ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Astin
John Allen Astin (born March 30, 1930) is an American actor and director who has appeared in numerous stage, television and film roles. He is best known for starring in '' The Addams Family'' (1964–1966), as patriarch Gomez Addams, reprising the role in the television film ''Halloween with the New Addams Family'' (1977) and the animated series '' The Addams Family'' (1992–1993). Astin starred in the TV film '' Evil Roy Slade'' (1972). Other notable film roles include ''West Side Story'' (1961), ''That Touch of Mink'' (1962), '' Move Over, Darling'' (1963), '' Freaky Friday'' (1976), ''National Lampoon's European Vacation'' (1985), '' Teen Wolf Too'' (1987) and ''The Frighteners'' (1996). Astin was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for his directorial debut, the comedic short ''Prelude'' (1968). He has been married three times. His second wife was actress Patty Duke, and Astin is the adoptive father of Duke's son, actor Sean Astin. Early years ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Magic Castle
The Magic Castle is a clubhouse for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. It is in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California and it bills itself as "the most unusual private club in the world". Only members and their guests are allowed entrance, though courtesy invitations can be obtained. During a typical evening there are numerous magic shows and historic displays, as well as a full-service dining room and numerous bars. The atmosphere is reminiscent of classic night club days, and a strict dress code is enforced. Once a private residence, the Castle was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989. Many celebrities have performed at the Magic Castle, including Orson Welles, Johnny Carson, Steve Martin, and Neil Patrick Harris. One of the Castle's most esteemed performers was the late Dai Vernon, an expert in sleight of hand. Description The Magic Castle is a performance venue, restaurant and priv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
