FULL SHOW: Las Vegas Illusionists Kyle & Mistie on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas!

 

New Animated Series ‘The Young Magicians’

 A new animated series centered around the world of magic is in development, as Blink Industries has announced The Young Magicians, an upcoming comedy-adventure based on the popular children's books written by actor, comedian, and magician Nick Mohammed.

The project is being produced through Blink Industries' first-look partnership with BBC Studios Kids & Family and is aimed at viewers ages eight and up.

Set inside the mysterious world of London's famous Magic Circle, the story follows four young magicians—Zack, Sophie, Jonny, and Alex—as they uncover secrets, conspiracies, and magical dangers hidden behind the organization's legendary doors.

Nick Mohammed, best known for his Emmy-nominated role in Ted Lasso as well as appearances in Intelligence and Slow Horses, will serve as both executive producer and showrunner. Blink Industries executive producer Ayoola Solarin is leading development of the series.

Mohammed originally published The Young Magicians and the Thieves' Almanac in 2017, drawing inspiration from his lifelong passion for practical magic. Speaking about the adaptation, he said bringing the books to television has been a dream come true and that he hopes to introduce a new generation to the wonder, history, and quirky traditions of the magic world. He also joked that every element of the series is "100% true"—including booby-trapped library passages and a real-life automaton hidden within the Magic Circle.

Blink Industries CEO and co-founder James Stevenson Bretton praised Mohammed's original story, calling it a warm, funny, and intelligent world that the studio was excited to bring to life.

The announcement continues Blink Industries' growing presence in animated entertainment. The studio's previous projects include Dead End: Paranormal Park, Love, Death & Robots, the Oscar-nominated short Wander to Wonder, and the upcoming Netflix animated series Alley Cats, created by Ricky Gervais.

While no release date has been announced, The Young Magicians is shaping up to be an exciting addition for young audiences—and for anyone with a love of magic.

Source: Adapted from Animation Magazine.

Magician named "Hidden" Disappears

 Authorities in Australia continue to search for a 26-year-old magician who has been missing for several weeks, prompting an extensive operation that now includes assistance from the Australian Defense Force.

Police say the magician's disappearance is considered highly out of character. He was last seen leaving his home around 3:00 a.m. on June 14, and investigators believe his mobile phone was switched off approximately three hours later.

One detail that has attracted attention is the message currently displayed on the magician's website, which reads, "Transformation requires disappearance." The site also notes that a "new experience is currently under construction" and encourages visitors to "return soon." Authorities have not indicated whether the website message has any connection to the ongoing investigation.

According to friends, the magician was traveling toward the Springbrook region of Queensland in a silver Hyundai while towing a caravan. Both the vehicle and caravan were discovered by police two days later in a remote location several miles south of his home, but there has been no confirmed sign of the performer.

Search efforts have been intensified due to the challenging terrain. Acting Inspector Brett Jackson explained that investigators are using a variety of resources, including police officers, aerial support, the Polair unit, drones, and personnel from the Australian Defense Force to cover the large search area.

The disappearance comes only weeks after another missing person case involving a woman from Bondi Beach, though officials have not suggested the two investigations are connected.

As the search continues, family, friends, and fellow members of the magic community remain hopeful for answers.

Source: Inspired by reporting from the New York Post.

Paul Daniels Secrets Original Pilot Episode

 

Vitaly Beckman on Fool Us

 

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.