#comedy magic

The wonderful comedic wordsmith Gary Gulman has a new special out on Max that's getting rave reviews.

Although I don't have that streaming service currently, I did read an engaging interview with Gulman in Esquire.

And I was particularly thrilled to see the cover image is none other than one of my favorite motifs in stand-up imagery—

There's a hand that clearly isn't theirs in the shot!

Yes, this occurs somewhat frequently, I guess to show the comedian is whimsical and magical in a way? I don't know exactly, but they are fun photographs!

Here's some more that I have collected over the years:

James Acaster

Kate Berlant

And the subject of this month (I will have at least one article about him up by this weekend, promise!), Demetri Martin

While at the 2025 Abbott’s Get Together, we chatted with several magicians. A while back we chatted with Craig Diamond and last week we released the one with Antony Gerard and this week we talk with Derek Hughes. That is a subtle hint for just another reason why you should attend magic conventions…all the great talent that comes and shares their time and talents.

Derek has performed his magic on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, the CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and the Ellen Degeneres Show. He’s a consulting producer on TRUtv’s hit magic series, The Carbonaro Effect and was a finalist on season 10 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent [sic]. His back story was much about his health as a child and the importance of his children to his life. He regularly performs in nightclubs across the U.S. and has been nominated for several categories at the Magic Castle over the years. He is also a published author of a children’s book!

This week, Derek talks about his experience with AGT and the invaluable advice he received from Jim Steinmeyer. We also discuss the difference between a magician who does comedy versus a comedian who does magic. Derek tells us about the children’s book he wrote (available through Amazon on the link below) before he even had children.

Magicians are “wired” to perform. We want the microphone. We love the bright lights, the sound of applause and especially laughter…at the right time and place. This week’s guest, Bill Abbott, is a comedy magician who understands comedy and knows how to perfectly blend it with magic.

Indeed it is a fine balance because in the end, we want our audiences to remember us but also to have had a good time. So there should be mystery and humor. If you are going to be a magician, then there should be mystery that fools people. If you are going to be a comedian, then you will be telling a series of jokes. But to blend the two together, you shouldn’t be a “prop comic” relying on your props for laughs, but rather, the emphasis should be on the overall experience your audience will take home with them.

Bill Abbott shares lots of tips and advice on how to structure your show with comedy and how to relate to your audiences with a performance that they will remember.

More than a magician and more than a comedian, Harrison Greenbaum is in high demand. Our industry refers to those of us who are “comedy magicians” like Mac King, for example. But for someone who stand behind a microphone without any accoutrements and makes people laugh, well…that is a true comedian. Harrison is also well versed as a magician having attended then later taught at Tannen’s Magic Cam and performing magic at magic conventions and corporate banquets. But to the general public, Harrison is best known as a stand-up comic from his many appearances at nightclubs, on television and in theaters around the world including the Sydney Opera House.

In this week’s episode, Harrison talks about his work in stand-up comedy, his improvisational skills, plus he gives us a little peek into what is in his magic lecture called “You Are All Terrible” that he gives at magic conventions and online.

Thom Peterson really is an Amazing Guy. His life has been filled with magical adventures on land and the high seas. His lecture repertoire is nothing less than first class with every item a real “worker’s” dream Thom currently resides in the U.K. where he works the corporate and cruise ships markets. His thinking behind every effect is thorough and he squeezes every ounce of laughter and entertainment out of every effect. He recently traveled across the U.S. on a nationwide lecture tour and some told me that his lecture was the best they’d seen…not this year, but EVER! It was that good!

This episode wraps up our Cuban Conversations with Conjurors that were recorded during the recent MaciCuba event in Havana. Chad Long is a close-up comedy magician whom most everyone knows. No doubt you have seen him performing at magic conventions around the world (including MAGIC Live!) as well as his creative products he has put on the market. But he is also in demand in the Corporate Market entertaining the titans of industry in Board Rooms and Trade Show Floors. But you may not know the serious side of Chad. So, this week you will hear him talk about how seriously he takes his art, his comedy, and his creativity and the influence that David Williamson had on his style of comedy.

Geoff Williams is a funny guy. Many of the best comedians are "naturally" funny, or so it would seem. Geoff seems to me to have that quality. As to the title of this week's podcast it comes from the many pictures I have seen of Geoff with someone's hand waving in front of his face. But Geoff is the funny man behind the waving hands. He also posts daily puns on his Facebook page which is worth visiting each day just to start your day with a smile.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:48 - Geoff Williams talks about writing his daily puns and how he creates/writes comedy by using "mind mapping", and he tells about his YouTube videos called "Brain Candy" that is worth watching. Along the ways he gives some good tips on creativity.

00:57:57 - Product Review: "Signs" by Manuel Llaser from Vernet Magic. You are able to decode "doodles" on business cards that shows your prediction of selected cards. Recommended.

01:02:09 - Product Review: "Survival Kit" from SansMinds. Five tricks are taught how to make when you are otherwise unprepared to perform in an impromptu situation. Not recommended.