Magician Wayne Houchin attacked/burned on Dominican TV show

Max_mang · 29th November 2012, 02:18 PM

Has anyone else seen this? At first I thought it was a prank, but it seems to be legit:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/40...ire-attack.htm

Wayne is a really nice guy and a good performer, I hope he recovers and justice is done.

Bob Klase · 29th November 2012, 02:20 PM

I was just about to post this and you beat me to it. Just another example of what religion can be when used the way god intended it- pointless and dangerous.

Garrette · 29th November 2012, 04:50 PM

Wow. I never met Houchin, but I have some of his effects and DVDs. It is horrific regardless if the motivation was religious or not.

commandlinegamer · 30th November 2012, 04:51 AM

!?

Puppycow · 30th November 2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

The substance Aqua de Florida, which Houchin claims was thrown on him, is also a voodoo cleansing agent popular with shamen and witch doctors in the Caribbean.

Some kind of voodoo thing?

Why?

brazenlilraisin · 30th November 2012, 08:59 PM

How the substance, whatever it is, caught fire is what I'd like to know. It wan't burning while cupped in the host's hands, only suddenly bursting into flame when dumped upon Houchin's head, whereupon the supposed attacker immediately seems to start trying to put out the flames.

shemp · 2nd December 2012, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by brazenlilraisin

How the substance, whatever it is, caught fire is what I'd like to know. It wan't burning while cupped in the host's hands, only suddenly bursting into flame when dumped upon Houchin's head, whereupon the supposed attacker immediately seems to start trying to put out the flames.

The fire was probably started by static electricity in his hair. I watched this several times, and I don't think the host intended for this to catch fire. The host looks like he's trying to beat out the flames, and when Houchin is on the ground, the host is hunched over him and looks like he's concerned. Regardless of intent, it's still pretty stupid to throw a flammable substance on someone.

AdMan · 2nd December 2012, 05:11 PM

Here's an update with some good news:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/us-ma...inican-tv-show

Quote:

An American magician was recuperating Sunday in the Dominican Republic after a local television show host lit his head on fire with a flammable cologne.

Chico, California-native Wayne Houchin said he is receiving treatment for burns that doctors are cautiously optimistic will not result in scars. A Sunday statement on his Facebook page says he is "resting, healing & working through the legal process" in the Caribbean nation, where he had been performing with a group of fellow magicians.

Wayne is a very creative guy--here's hoping he makes a full recovery soon.

And:

Quote:

Houchin said Barazarte's actions were completely unexpected and he considers it a criminal attack.

I would agree--whatever the host's intentions, it was very stupid.

Max_mang · 3rd December 2012, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by brazenlilraisin

How the substance, whatever it is, caught fire is what I'd like to know. It wan't burning while cupped in the host's hands, only suddenly bursting into flame when dumped upon Houchin's head, whereupon the supposed attacker immediately seems to start trying to put out the flames.

Wayne Houchin commented on this in another forum. For some reason that thread has disappeared so I can't copy and paste. Apparently the video was taken on a phone by someone in Wayne's crew. They started taking the video after the host had put the liquid in his hands and had someone else light it. You can't see the flame but the liquid is already lit when he turns and dumps it on Wayne's head.

shemp · 3rd December 2012, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Max_mang

Wayne Houchin commented on this in another forum. For some reason that thread has disappeared so I can't copy and paste. Apparently the video was taken on a phone by someone in Wayne's crew. They started taking the video after the host had put the liquid in his hands and had someone else light it. You can't see the flame but the liquid is already lit when he turns and dumps it on Wayne's head.

If that's the case then all I can say is "WTF?"

blobru · 4th December 2012, 08:04 AM

Is there any way this could have been the host's botched attempt at a magic trick? I've seem a lot of magic tricks with fire that doesn't burn (the performer) - using chemicals that ignite at lower temperatures and/or flame-retardant materials I would guess - though admittedly never one where the magician throws the fire on someone (especially someone not expecting it). Has anyone seen a trick like that? I'm just wondering if this could be a magic trick gone wrong, the fire supposed to extinguish mid-air as it's thrown on the other person, perhaps, or burn without injury -- can't see how this would happen without precautions: maybe the host thought Houchin had been prepared for it, when he hadn't? Anyway, just speculating; will be interested to learn what was up when more details come out. Hope Houchin has a swift recovery.

eta:

Originally Posted by shemp

The fire was probably started by static electricity in his hair. I watched this several times, and I don't think the host intended for this to catch fire. The host looks like he's trying to beat out the flames, and when Houchin is on the ground, the host is hunched over him and looks like he's concerned. Regardless of intent, it's still pretty stupid to throw a flammable substance on someone.

Whoops, skip it.

That's a much more sensible explanation.

eta2: Or maybe not, in light of Ernie M's posts.

Ernie M · 4th December 2012, 08:21 AM

I wonder if the "blessing" on Wayne Houchin was a magic stunt gone awry.

Was the flammable liquid, which I read was “Agua de Florida,” supposed to burn due to the alcohol content, then when the alcohol was consumed by being burned away, the water was supposed to extinguish the flame... without causing harm?

Example: Burning Money - Chemistry Demonstration
(money 'catches' on fire, fire goes out, money not burned)

But pouring the liquid on Wayne Houchin's head with no apparent safety measures in place- was just plain stupid!

Ernie M · 4th December 2012, 08:27 AM

According to the Mirror's article, Magician's FACE set on fire when TV host rubs flaming liquid on him, it wasn't static electricity that accidentally ignited the cologne.

Quote:

But the host announced he wanted to give Mr Houchin a "blessing", the American said.

He told one of the other magicians, BJ Bueno, to hand him a bottle of Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne.

Mr Barazarte asked Mr Houchin's wife to pour the cologne into his cupped hands and told Mr Bueno to pick up a lighter on the stage and light the fluid.

Caper · 5th December 2012, 02:10 AM

According to this article he is going top be arrested.

Definitely was one of the stupidest thing I've seen. But apparently he did not mean to harm him.

Bob Klase · 5th December 2012, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Caper

Definitely was one of the stupidest thing I've seen. But apparently he did not mean to harm him.

Apparently. At least that's what he claims now.

amensae · 5th December 2012, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

Apparently. At least that's what he claims now.

I think Hanlon/Heinlein’s Razor applies here:
“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”

AdMan · 5th December 2012, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Caper

According to this article he is going top be arrested.

Definitely was one of the stupidest thing I've seen. But apparently he did not mean to harm him.

I finally got around to watching the video, which I hadn't really wanted to see.

It does seem as if it was some kind of idiotic prank or stunt (which Wayne apparently didn't know was coming) gone horribly wrong.

I don't know what the presenter was expecting would happen, but whatever his intentions he clearly needs to be held liable.

Merko · 9th December 2012, 06:26 AM

I can't make sense of the video.

First, he's really rubbing it into Houchin's hair and neck, not just throwing it on top of him. Maybe if someone is exceptionally stupid, ignorant and careless they might think that throwing a burning substance over someone won't make them catch fire because they've tried the same 'trick' with money or whatever. But that is not what he does.

But then, when Houchin does catch fire, he immediately tries to put it out. In fact, he reacts so quickly that it seems this is what he expected, although maybe it is burning more than he expected since in case he did plan to extinguish the fire he was clearly ill prepared to do so.

So if it's a prank that went wrong, it's a very strange one. I don't see what his intent would have been.

genshi · 22nd February 2013, 10:00 PM

I'm surprised there hasn't been an update to this here in this thread, but in the latest issue of "Magic" magazine Wayne explains his side of what happened.

It seems the host, Franklin Barazarte, who is not normally the host of that show (he is the Producer and Director and his wife is usually the host) seemed to have planned this as he was not even paying attention to Wayne and his team during the interview; as if he was preoccupied. Then, as they were saying their goodbyes on air, the host asked to "bless" Wayne, and after having a bottle of "Spirit Water" (Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne) poured and lit in his hands, dumped it and then spread it all over Wayne's head! The host's excuse was that he was trying to cleanse Wayne of evil spirits!

The article is worth a read to get Wayne's side of the events, and it doesn't really make me yearn to perform magic in extremely superstitious countries such as the Dominican Republic...

AdMan · 22nd February 2013, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by genshi

I'm surprised there hasn't been an update to this here in this thread, but in the latest issue of "Magic" magazine Wayne explains his side of what happened.

It seems the host, Franklin Barazarte, who is not normally the host of that show (he is the Producer and Director and his wife is usually the host) seemed to have planned this as he was not even paying attention to Wayne and his team during the interview; as if he was preoccupied. Then, as they were saying their goodbyes on air, the host asked to "bless" Wayne, and after having a bottle of "Spirit Water" (Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne) poured and lit in his hands, dumped it and then spread it all over Wayne's head! The host's excuse was that he was trying to cleanse Wayne of evil spirits!

The article is worth a read to get Wayne's side of the events, and it doesn't really make me yearn to perform magic in extremely superstitious countries such as the Dominican Republic...

In that issue there is also a picture of Wayne from late December, and it's great to see how he's coming along--the burns look like a bad sunburn, and maybe not even that.

29th November 2012, 02:18 PM	#1
Max_mang Scholar Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 90	Magician Wayne Houchin attacked/burned on Dominican TV show Has anyone else seen this? At first I thought it was a prank, but it seems to be legit: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/40...ire-attack.htm Wayne is a really nice guy and a good performer, I hope he recovers and justice is done.
Max_mang Scholar Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 90

29th November 2012, 04:50 PM	#3
Garrette Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 10,548	Wow. I never met Houchin, but I have some of his effects and DVDs. It is horrific regardless if the motivation was religious or not.
	__________________ My kids still love me.

30th November 2012, 04:51 AM	#4
commandlinegamer Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mazes of Menace Posts: 5,893	!?
	__________________ He bade me take any rug in the house.

30th November 2012, 03:37 PM	#5
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,752	Quote: The substance Aqua de Florida, which Houchin claims was thrown on him, is also a voodoo cleansing agent popular with shamen and witch doctors in the Caribbean. Some kind of voodoo thing? Why?
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

30th November 2012, 08:59 PM	#6
brazenlilraisin ...tart Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 547	How the substance, whatever it is, caught fire is what I'd like to know. It wan't burning while cupped in the host's hands, only suddenly bursting into flame when dumped upon Houchin's head, whereupon the supposed attacker immediately seems to start trying to put out the flames.
brazenlilraisin ...tart Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 547

29th November 2012, 02:20 PM	#2
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,833	I was just about to post this and you beat me to it. Just another example of what religion can be when used the way god intended it- pointless and dangerous.

2nd December 2012, 09:15 AM	#7
shemp Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: trapped in a cave-in with Joe Posts: 12,885	Originally Posted by brazenlilraisin How the substance, whatever it is, caught fire is what I'd like to know. It wan't burning while cupped in the host's hands, only suddenly bursting into flame when dumped upon Houchin's head, whereupon the supposed attacker immediately seems to start trying to put out the flames. The fire was probably started by static electricity in his hair. I watched this several times, and I don't think the host intended for this to catch fire. The host looks like he's trying to beat out the flames, and when Houchin is on the ground, the host is hunched over him and looks like he's concerned. Regardless of intent, it's still pretty stupid to throw a flammable substance on someone.
	__________________ Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!) Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

2nd December 2012, 05:11 PM	#8
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	Here's an update with some good news: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/us-ma...inican-tv-show Quote: An American magician was recuperating Sunday in the Dominican Republic after a local television show host lit his head on fire with a flammable cologne. Chico, California-native Wayne Houchin said he is receiving treatment for burns that doctors are cautiously optimistic will not result in scars. A Sunday statement on his Facebook page says he is "resting, healing & working through the legal process" in the Caribbean nation, where he had been performing with a group of fellow magicians. Wayne is a very creative guy--here's hoping he makes a full recovery soon. And: Quote: Houchin said Barazarte's actions were completely unexpected and he considers it a criminal attack. I would agree--whatever the host's intentions, it was very stupid.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

3rd December 2012, 09:39 AM	#9
Max_mang Scholar Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 90	Originally Posted by brazenlilraisin How the substance, whatever it is, caught fire is what I'd like to know. It wan't burning while cupped in the host's hands, only suddenly bursting into flame when dumped upon Houchin's head, whereupon the supposed attacker immediately seems to start trying to put out the flames. Wayne Houchin commented on this in another forum. For some reason that thread has disappeared so I can't copy and paste. Apparently the video was taken on a phone by someone in Wayne's crew. They started taking the video after the host had put the liquid in his hands and had someone else light it. You can't see the flame but the liquid is already lit when he turns and dumps it on Wayne's head.
Max_mang Scholar Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 90

3rd December 2012, 07:02 PM	#10
shemp Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: trapped in a cave-in with Joe Posts: 12,885	Originally Posted by Max_mang Wayne Houchin commented on this in another forum. For some reason that thread has disappeared so I can't copy and paste. Apparently the video was taken on a phone by someone in Wayne's crew. They started taking the video after the host had put the liquid in his hands and had someone else light it. You can't see the flame but the liquid is already lit when he turns and dumps it on Wayne's head. If that's the case then all I can say is "WTF?"
	__________________ Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!) Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

4th December 2012, 08:04 AM	#11
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	Is there any way this could have been the host's botched attempt at a magic trick? I've seem a lot of magic tricks with fire that doesn't burn (the performer) - using chemicals that ignite at lower temperatures and/or flame-retardant materials I would guess - though admittedly never one where the magician throws the fire on someone (especially someone not expecting it). Has anyone seen a trick like that? I'm just wondering if this could be a magic trick gone wrong, the fire supposed to extinguish mid-air as it's thrown on the other person, perhaps, or burn without injury -- can't see how this would happen without precautions: maybe the host thought Houchin had been prepared for it, when he hadn't? Anyway, just speculating; will be interested to learn what was up when more details come out. Hope Houchin has a swift recovery. eta: Originally Posted by shemp The fire was probably started by static electricity in his hair. I watched this several times, and I don't think the host intended for this to catch fire. The host looks like he's trying to beat out the flames, and when Houchin is on the ground, the host is hunched over him and looks like he's concerned. Regardless of intent, it's still pretty stupid to throw a flammable substance on someone. Whoops, skip it. That's a much more sensible explanation. eta2: Or maybe not, in light of Ernie M's posts.
blobru Philosopher Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,591	__________________ "Say to them, 'I am Nobody!'" -- Ulysses to the Cyclops "Never mind. I can't read." -- Hokulele to the Easter Bunny Last edited by blobru; 4th December 2012 at 08:52 AM.

4th December 2012, 08:21 AM	#12
Ernie M Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 444	Magic stunt gone awry? I wonder if the "blessing" on Wayne Houchin was a magic stunt gone awry. Was the flammable liquid, which I read was “Agua de Florida,” supposed to burn due to the alcohol content, then when the alcohol was consumed by being burned away, the water was supposed to extinguish the flame... without causing harm? Example: Burning Money - Chemistry Demonstration (money 'catches' on fire, fire goes out, money not burned) But pouring the liquid on Wayne Houchin's head with no apparent safety measures in place- was just plain stupid!
Ernie M Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 444	__________________ paranormalstateillustrated.com Taking a close look at what you see and hear on a "Real Life. Drama." TV series.

4th December 2012, 08:27 AM	#13
Ernie M Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 444	According to the Mirror's article, Magician's FACE set on fire when TV host rubs flaming liquid on him, it wasn't static electricity that accidentally ignited the cologne. Quote: But the host announced he wanted to give Mr Houchin a "blessing", the American said. He told one of the other magicians, BJ Bueno, to hand him a bottle of Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne. Mr Barazarte asked Mr Houchin's wife to pour the cologne into his cupped hands and told Mr Bueno to pick up a lighter on the stage and light the fluid.
Ernie M Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 444	__________________ paranormalstateillustrated.com Taking a close look at what you see and hear on a "Real Life. Drama." TV series.

5th December 2012, 02:10 AM	#14
Caper Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,946	According to this article he is going top be arrested. Definitely was one of the stupidest thing I've seen. But apparently he did not mean to harm him.
Caper Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,946

5th December 2012, 09:48 AM	#15
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,833	Originally Posted by Caper Definitely was one of the stupidest thing I've seen. But apparently he did not mean to harm him. Apparently. At least that's what he claims now.

5th December 2012, 05:11 PM	#16
amensae Suspended Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 223	Originally Posted by Bob Klase Apparently. At least that's what he claims now. I think Hanlon/Heinlein’s Razor applies here: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”

5th December 2012, 05:21 PM	#17
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	Originally Posted by Caper According to this article he is going top be arrested. Definitely was one of the stupidest thing I've seen. But apparently he did not mean to harm him. I finally got around to watching the video, which I hadn't really wanted to see. It does seem as if it was some kind of idiotic prank or stunt (which Wayne apparently didn't know was coming) gone horribly wrong. I don't know what the presenter was expecting would happen, but whatever his intentions he clearly needs to be held liable.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan Last edited by AdMan; 5th December 2012 at 05:22 PM.

9th December 2012, 06:26 AM	#18
Merko Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,901	I can't make sense of the video. First, he's really rubbing it into Houchin's hair and neck, not just throwing it on top of him. Maybe if someone is exceptionally stupid, ignorant and careless they might think that throwing a burning substance over someone won't make them catch fire because they've tried the same 'trick' with money or whatever. But that is not what he does. But then, when Houchin does catch fire, he immediately tries to put it out. In fact, he reacts so quickly that it seems this is what he expected, although maybe it is burning more than he expected since in case he did plan to extinguish the fire he was clearly ill prepared to do so. So if it's a prank that went wrong, it's a very strange one. I don't see what his intent would have been.
Merko Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,901

22nd February 2013, 10:00 PM	#19
genshi New Blood Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pasadena, CA - Portland, OR Posts: 11	I'm surprised there hasn't been an update to this here in this thread, but in the latest issue of "Magic" magazine Wayne explains his side of what happened. It seems the host, Franklin Barazarte, who is not normally the host of that show (he is the Producer and Director and his wife is usually the host) seemed to have planned this as he was not even paying attention to Wayne and his team during the interview; as if he was preoccupied. Then, as they were saying their goodbyes on air, the host asked to "bless" Wayne, and after having a bottle of "Spirit Water" (Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne) poured and lit in his hands, dumped it and then spread it all over Wayne's head! The host's excuse was that he was trying to cleanse Wayne of evil spirits! The article is worth a read to get Wayne's side of the events, and it doesn't really make me yearn to perform magic in extremely superstitious countries such as the Dominican Republic...
	__________________ ::\| genshi \|::

22nd February 2013, 10:26 PM	#20
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	Originally Posted by genshi I'm surprised there hasn't been an update to this here in this thread, but in the latest issue of "Magic" magazine Wayne explains his side of what happened. It seems the host, Franklin Barazarte, who is not normally the host of that show (he is the Producer and Director and his wife is usually the host) seemed to have planned this as he was not even paying attention to Wayne and his team during the interview; as if he was preoccupied. Then, as they were saying their goodbyes on air, the host asked to "bless" Wayne, and after having a bottle of "Spirit Water" (Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne) poured and lit in his hands, dumped it and then spread it all over Wayne's head! The host's excuse was that he was trying to cleanse Wayne of evil spirits! The article is worth a read to get Wayne's side of the events, and it doesn't really make me yearn to perform magic in extremely superstitious countries such as the Dominican Republic... In that issue there is also a picture of Wayne from late December, and it's great to see how he's coming along--the burns look like a bad sunburn, and maybe not even that.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168