Penn & Teller Cut & Restore a snake on Fool Us

 

Yu Hojin Returns to America's Got Talent and Earns Golden Buzzer with New Magic Act

 Magic fans have reason to celebrate as internationally acclaimed magician Yu Hojin has made a triumphant return to America's Got Talent, earning a coveted Golden Buzzer with his new group act, Hundred Fingers.

Many viewers will remember Yu Hojin from Season 17 of America's Got Talent, where his elegant style of sleight-of-hand magic and artistic presentations captivated both audiences and judges. Although he reached the finals, Hojin fell short of winning the competition. However, his AGT journey appears far from over.

Returning for Season 21, Hojin took the stage with Hundred Fingers, a large-scale magic act that combines multiple performers, visual storytelling, and intricate card manipulation. The performance represented a significant departure from the solo style that originally made him famous and showcased a much grander vision of what magic can look like on a modern television stage.

Before the performance, Hojin reflected on his previous appearance on the show and revealed that comments from judge Simon Cowell about making his act "bigger" had stayed with him over the years. Rather than becoming discouraged, the magician used that feedback as motivation to rethink his approach and develop a larger theatrical presentation.

The gamble paid off.

The performance received a standing ovation from the judges and audience, with praise pouring in from the panel. According to reports, Simon Cowell called the routine one of the best magic performances he had seen on the show. The excitement reached a climax when judge Howie Mandel raced to hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Hundred Fingers directly into the live shows. Reports indicate that host Terry Crews was also attempting to reach the buzzer, creating one of the episode's most memorable moments.

For longtime fans of Yu Hojin, the Golden Buzzer represents a remarkable comeback story. After reaching the AGT finals in 2022 and later appearing on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League, Hojin has returned with a completely reimagined act and another opportunity to compete for the championship.

The success of Hundred Fingers is also another reminder that magic continues to be a powerful force on talent competition television. In a season filled with singers, dancers, and variety acts, it was a magic performance that captured one of the show's most valuable Golden Buzzers.

Magic fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how far Yu Hojin and Hundred Fingers can go in the competition.

Source: NBC Insider, Talent Recap, Parade, and America's Got Talent promotional materials.

On This Day in Magic History: The Birth of the Rabbit From a Hat?

 

On June 22, 1788, French magician Louis Comte was born. Comte was one of the most celebrated magicians of 19th-century France and performed for multiple French kings. He is often credited as the first magician on record to produce a live rabbit from a top hat, a magical image that would later become one of the most recognizable symbols of magic worldwide.

Fun facts:

• Known as "The King's Conjurer."
• Performed for three French kings.
• Influenced later magicians, including Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin.
• May have originated the classic rabbit-from-hat illusion that is still associated with magic today.

Harry Anderson's Sideshow - complete special from 1987!

 

Handkerchief Pedestal

Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

The Handkerchief Pedestal is a classic prop for the production of a handkerchief in a clear glass tumbler. The effect can be found detailed in many magic text books.
We have now produced a deluxe version of this utility prop, made in spun metal, and powder coated to give you a life long scratch free and very attractive piece of apparatus.

In effect a clear glass is placed on a skeleton pedestal. The glass is covered with an empty cylinder, (which could be examined if you wished). When the cylinder is lifted away a silk (which has been previously vanished) appears inside the clear glass tumbler.

The pedestal we supply measures about 6.5″ high and 3.75″ at the base. The clear glass tumbler is 2.75″ in diameter and 4.5″ high. The cylinder is 3″ in diameter, and 5″ high. The item is supplied complete with instructions Besides handkerchiefs, this can be used for a sponge ball routine, or even a “Bill Tube” type of effect, where a borrowed signed bill vanishes from a spectator’s hand, and appears in the empty glass. 

Harry Anderson's "Hello, Sucker!"

 

Remembering Bruce Cervon: Celebrating the Life of a Close-Up Magic Legend

 Today, the magic community remembers and celebrates the birthday of Bruce Cervon, one of the most influential close-up magicians of the twentieth century. Born on June 20, 1941, Cervon left a lasting mark on the art of magic through his performances, writings, and dedication to preserving magical knowledge for future generations.

While many magicians become known for a single trick or television appearance, Bruce Cervon's greatest contribution may have been his role as both a performer and historian of magic. A respected member of Hollywood's Magic Castle, Cervon became one of the closest students and friends of legendary sleight-of-hand master Dai Vernon, often referred to as "The Professor."

A Student of a Legend

Bruce Cervon spent countless hours studying with Dai Vernon and documenting Vernon's ideas, techniques, and philosophies. These notes would later become some of the most important historical records in modern magic.

Without Cervon's efforts, much of Vernon's thinking and unpublished material might have been lost forever. Many magicians today benefit from concepts and routines that were preserved thanks to Cervon's meticulous note-taking and dedication to the craft.

Magic He Was Known For

Although Cervon excelled in many areas of magic, he was especially respected for:

• Close-up card magic
• Sleight-of-hand techniques
• Coins and small object magic
• Creative routining and audience management
• Preserving and teaching Dai Vernon's work

One of his best-known creations is the "Ultra Move," a deceptive card technique that continues to be studied by card workers today.

Cervon was also known for his natural performing style. Rather than relying on flashy props or large illusions, he focused on strong fundamentals, engaging presentations, and fooling even the most knowledgeable magicians.

Fun Facts About Bruce Cervon

He Was a Musician Before Becoming a Full-Time Magician

Before devoting himself entirely to magic, Cervon worked as a professional musician. His background in entertainment helped shape his timing and performance skills.

He Was One of Dai Vernon's Closest Friends

Few magicians spent as much time with Dai Vernon as Bruce Cervon. Their friendship lasted decades and helped preserve a tremendous amount of magic history.

He Helped Create The Vernon Chronicles

Cervon authored the acclaimed Vernon Chronicles series, which remains essential reading for serious students of close-up magic.

His Castle Notebooks Became Legendary

Over the years, Cervon kept detailed notes about tricks, ideas, conversations, and performances at the Magic Castle. These notebooks have become an invaluable resource for magic historians.

Magicians Respected Him as Much as Audiences Did

While many performers become famous among the public, Cervon earned something equally impressive—the admiration of his peers. He was widely regarded as a magician's magician.

A Legacy That Lives On

Bruce Cervon passed away in 2007, but his influence continues to be felt throughout the magic world. Every time a magician studies Dai Vernon, learns a classic card routine, or explores the history of close-up magic, there is a good chance they are benefiting from Cervon's work.

His legacy serves as a reminder that magic is more than tricks. It is a tradition passed from one generation to the next, and few people worked harder to preserve that tradition than Bruce Cervon.

Happy Birthday, Bruce Cervon. Thank you for the magic, the knowledge, and the inspiration you left behind.

Magic News Daily remembers Bruce Cervon on what would have been his 85th birthday.