David Blaine

Blaine was only twenty-three years old when Street Magic debuted on ABC, revolutionizing televised magic by turning the camera on the audience. Astonished people’s visceral reactions could be felt by the viewers at home.

The New York Times said Blaine had “taken a craft that’s been around for hundreds of years and done something unique and fresh with it,” while The New Yorker stated emphatically “Blaine saved magic.”

If there were a show called David Blaine vs Criss Angel, which magician wins based on the following criteria?

• Fashion — Criss Angel, a changeling, has a fresh new wardrobe and expensive hairstyle. David Blaine always wears a classic tee shirt and nondescript pants. Angel beats Blaine in a fashion contest.

• Style — An inverted bob hairstyle Tuesday and dreadlocks Thursday, 56 year old Criss Angel hasn’t found his style. David wins with Blaine’s unpretentious style.

• Originality — Both Angel and Blaine presented audiences with gritty magic, without extravagance. It’s a natural part of being human to copy what works. There are many copycat versions of everyone’s favorite magician, David Blaine. But Criss Angel is the best one. The “Vanilla Ice of Magic” Criss Angel exists because of David Blaine, on originality, Blaine wins.

• Technique — David Blaine’s classic pass (card sleight of hand) and other maneuvers were flawless, whereas Criss Angel can barely make a quarter appear in a can of soda without hissing like a balloon. David Blaine easily wins on technique.

• Showmanship — Who would ever believe David Blaine would win a showmanship contest? Criss Angel stepped up and showed the world how Pinocchio might perform street magic. On showmanship, David Blaine defeats Criss Angel.

Keep your eyes open for the David Blaine vs Criss Angel TV show. It would be the most watched show ever.