Gladys Hardy
idic_writer was watching a clip of the Ellen Degeneres show. In this clip Gladys tells Ellen to move the plant on the set because it is right behind her head and makes her look like Alfalfa. Ellen moves the plant and calls Gladys to see how she likes it. A very humorous dialogue takes place - more of a monologue, really, but all the while I am thinking that this isn't real. Not just that, but I have heard this routine before. So I google it, and sure enough there is an article stating how Ellen was duped by a DJ, so I announce my findings.
Now I feel like an idiot. No, I don't think I was misinformed about Gladys. That act was very well staged, and I don't believe Ellen was duped. I think she knew exactly what was going on and may have even set this up herself. No, I feel like an idiot because I have been in magic nearly fifty years. Magic is theatre! It is illusion. And that illusion makes people feel good. Makes them laugh, or baffled. Does it matter that it is not real? What magician hasn't heard a little kid say, "that's not real. It's a trick!" And of course we want to say, it is THEATRE you little brat.
Was the Ellen phone call any different? Of course not. It was theatre. Does that matter to you? You laugh at a comedy club. You laugh at the movies. This was no different. I won't lose my magician's card for giving away Ellen's secret but surely I should get a slap on the hand. A trick is a trick and a trick that works is pure magic. And this magician won't be giving away any more secrets!
Now I feel like an idiot. No, I don't think I was misinformed about Gladys. That act was very well staged, and I don't believe Ellen was duped. I think she knew exactly what was going on and may have even set this up herself. No, I feel like an idiot because I have been in magic nearly fifty years. Magic is theatre! It is illusion. And that illusion makes people feel good. Makes them laugh, or baffled. Does it matter that it is not real? What magician hasn't heard a little kid say, "that's not real. It's a trick!" And of course we want to say, it is THEATRE you little brat.
Was the Ellen phone call any different? Of course not. It was theatre. Does that matter to you? You laugh at a comedy club. You laugh at the movies. This was no different. I won't lose my magician's card for giving away Ellen's secret but surely I should get a slap on the hand. A trick is a trick and a trick that works is pure magic. And this magician won't be giving away any more secrets!