one golden glance of what should be...
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Blog of the Week #10 - Paul Daniels' Diary
You can stop your sniggering right now - Paul Daniels can probably lay claim to being the most successful TV magician of the Twentieth Century. He's a very different breed of magician to the ones we see on TV now. I don't think you'd catch Paul Daniels hanging in a box doing nothing for several weeks, nor do I think you would find him sticking his head in a tiger's mouth or 'flying' across his audience. Nope. Paul Daniels' stock in trade is far less showy but just as impressive in it's own way: sleight of hand, card tricks, illusions and the like, all delivered with the little man's unique brand of humour. You're going to like this.... not a lot.... but you'll like it.
In 1983 he was named "Magician of the Year" by the Hollywood Academy of the Magical Arts - the first person from outside of the USA to receive the award. In 1985 he won the Golden Rose of Montreaux for the "Paul Daniels Easter Magic Show". His TV shows have been screened in 47 countries...
He's a legend.
And he's got a blog.
This was pointed out to me by the lovely Yoko (she insists that she doesn't go looking for these, but coming hard on the heels of her MC Hammer recommendation, I'm not sure I believe her....) In many ways he's a throwback to a more innocent age, but there's no shame in that. I grew up watching this guy on TV, and after spending a bit of time reading this, I felt moved to drop the man an email. I wrote to tell him how much I was enjoying his blog, and how much I used to enjoy watching his shows on TV. I told him how one trick in particular had stuck in my mind when he appeared to eat a goldfish. It was brilliant, and was made even better and more memorable when he broke the rules of the Magic Circle to reveal to us how the trick was done, thereby saving the lives of many thousands of innocent fish.
About ten minutes later he emailed me back!
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Thanks ST
I MUST try to get up to date tonight cos I go away tomorrow.
Silly things like work keep getting in the way!
PD
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He's an absolute legend, and this blog salutes him.
Besides, how could you not love a man who lists the following in his profile:
"Dislikes: Inefficiency, Idleness,"centre lane drivers", War, Violence and Murder especially when they come in the name of religion. Turning down charity and Party invitations but Due to the amount of work it leaves little family time."
Brilliant.
Blog of the Week.
[Previous blogs of the week: Delrico Bandito, I have ordinary addictions, Girl With A One-Track Mind, Ditch Monkey, Skinny Legs and All, Wandering Scribe, Sarah, MC Hammer, Lisa Whiteman]
Blog of the Week #10 - Paul Daniels' Diary
You can stop your sniggering right now - Paul Daniels can probably lay claim to being the most successful TV magician of the Twentieth Century. He's a very different breed of magician to the ones we see on TV now. I don't think you'd catch Paul Daniels hanging in a box doing nothing for several weeks, nor do I think you would find him sticking his head in a tiger's mouth or 'flying' across his audience. Nope. Paul Daniels' stock in trade is far less showy but just as impressive in it's own way: sleight of hand, card tricks, illusions and the like, all delivered with the little man's unique brand of humour. You're going to like this.... not a lot.... but you'll like it.
In 1983 he was named "Magician of the Year" by the Hollywood Academy of the Magical Arts - the first person from outside of the USA to receive the award. In 1985 he won the Golden Rose of Montreaux for the "Paul Daniels Easter Magic Show". His TV shows have been screened in 47 countries...
He's a legend.
And he's got a blog.
This was pointed out to me by the lovely Yoko (she insists that she doesn't go looking for these, but coming hard on the heels of her MC Hammer recommendation, I'm not sure I believe her....) In many ways he's a throwback to a more innocent age, but there's no shame in that. I grew up watching this guy on TV, and after spending a bit of time reading this, I felt moved to drop the man an email. I wrote to tell him how much I was enjoying his blog, and how much I used to enjoy watching his shows on TV. I told him how one trick in particular had stuck in my mind when he appeared to eat a goldfish. It was brilliant, and was made even better and more memorable when he broke the rules of the Magic Circle to reveal to us how the trick was done, thereby saving the lives of many thousands of innocent fish.
About ten minutes later he emailed me back!
---
Thanks ST
I MUST try to get up to date tonight cos I go away tomorrow.
Silly things like work keep getting in the way!
PD
---
He's an absolute legend, and this blog salutes him.
Besides, how could you not love a man who lists the following in his profile:
"Dislikes: Inefficiency, Idleness,"centre lane drivers", War, Violence and Murder especially when they come in the name of religion. Turning down charity and Party invitations but Due to the amount of work it leaves little family time."
Brilliant.
Blog of the Week.
[Previous blogs of the week: Delrico Bandito, I have ordinary addictions, Girl With A One-Track Mind, Ditch Monkey, Skinny Legs and All, Wandering Scribe, Sarah, MC Hammer, Lisa Whiteman]
posted by swisslet @ 21:15
8 Comments:
At 11:06 pm,
Alecya G said…
Is it sad that I haven't a clue who this fellow is? Of course, I've never really watched a magic show before either, so I suppose its almost excusable, right?
You've been on the celeb blogs then? I know that Mark has a link to Dave Navarro's blog, although its not very interesting, or I should say, Iwas disappointed he far duller than his ability to play guitar. *sigh*
At 10:52 am,
Me said…
Interesting. Good of him to reply to you.
I remember that trick, too, with the carrot and all that. That must've been 20 years ago? Odd what sticks, isn't it?
Just read a book called "Carter Beats The Devil" by Glen Gold about a magician in the 1920s. It's a cracking yarn which you might like if PD's sleight of hand is up your street.
At 10:55 am,
John McClure said…
I'm saying nothing about Daniels, given that you two seem quite friendly now, but thought you might find this blog interesting if you're doing the whole celebrities-what-blog thing - it's Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert.
I saw it yesterday when someone posted this entry from it on Sportsfilter.
At 6:06 pm,
Anonymous said…
Dude, the only good thing about Paul Daniels was Debbie MacGee. And now, not even that.
At 9:04 pm,
Jenni said…
Ive never even heard of Paul Daniels...maybe he was before my time? :)
At 7:03 pm,
The Dog of Freetown said…
That's magic.
Bill Bailey has a blog too. It's mostly about tea and coffee making facilities.
At 10:43 am,
Graham said…
The MC Hammer blog, which i also linked to, is regularly featured on the 'feature dblogs' section at the log in page for blogger.
Which is how i found it...
At 5:09 pm,
Ali said…
I swear to you, I come across them by accident. I churn through a huge number of websites a week. Ask me to recommend an organic food box? I can give you 4 off the top of my head, LOL!
I have a huge soft spot for Paul Daniels. Hurrah for the awe of sleight of hand, the mystery of the French drop, and the spangles of the glamorous assistant. :)
I have also read Carter Beats the Devil and I think you would like it, Tone, but trawl through the others I sent you first, eh? :D
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