The Great Flydini

Brown · 4th July 2003, 10:47 PM

I just bought the DVD set of highlights from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." To my delight, one of the discs includes Steve Martin's routine, "The Great Flydini," apparently in its entirety. This was one of Martin's funniest bits, and one of the most outrageously funny "magic" performances ever created. I remember seeing it when it was first aired, and I laughed my head off. When I saw it again today, the routine provoked the same response.

Brown · 5th July 2003, 12:09 AM

I should add that I would very much like to find Steve Martin's first HBO special from the late 1970s. In it, Steve did a card trick called something like "King of Hearts, come down and dance!" which had me laughing so hard that I could hardly catch my breath.

He also did a legitimate magic trick that was quite good, but he designed his routine so that the audience would discover the secret eventually, and the revelation would generate laughs throughout the rest of the show.

UnrepentantSinner · 5th July 2003, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brown
I should add that I would very much like to find Steve Martin's first HBO special from the late 1970s. In it, Steve did a card trick called something like "King of Hearts, come down and dance!" which had me laughing so hard that I could hardly catch my breath.

He also did a legitimate magic trick that was quite good, but he designed his routine so that the audience would discover the secret eventually, and the revelation would generate laughs throughout the rest of the show.

Ahahahaha! I performed that in the bar at the Amazing Meeting. I saw him do it 20 years ago and I still laugh when I think about it. I honestly thought I was the only person who remembered that particular "trick."

Another one he did on one of the late shows had to have the assistance of videotape. He'd simply cut and shuffle the cards then ask the host if he saw him mark the aces. The host says no, and Martin suggests they view the replay in slo-mo. The tape shows him flipping the cards over until he gets to an ace and then he'll bend a corner, or mark on it with a pen or tape a small flag to it.

I'm laughing as I type...

Brown · 5th July 2003, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
Ahahahaha! I performed that in the bar at the Amazing Meeting. I saw him do it 20 years ago and I still laugh when I think about it. I honestly thought I was the only person who remembered that particular "trick."

Martin's set-up for the "King of Hearts" trick is what really made it funny. He did some fans and flourishes, to show that he really had some legitimate conjuring skill, and then he did the "King of Hearts" trick. His unexpected technique was what tripped my humor switch.

Questioninggeller · 25th May 2007, 02:48 PM

See the video of this:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

4th July 2003, 10:47 PM	#1
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	The Great Flydini I just bought the DVD set of highlights from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." To my delight, one of the discs includes Steve Martin's routine, "The Great Flydini," apparently in its entirety. This was one of Martin's funniest bits, and one of the most outrageously funny "magic" performances ever created. I remember seeing it when it was first aired, and I laughed my head off. When I saw it again today, the routine provoked the same response.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

5th July 2003, 12:09 AM	#2
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	I should add that I would very much like to find Steve Martin's first HBO special from the late 1970s. In it, Steve did a card trick called something like "King of Hearts, come down and dance!" which had me laughing so hard that I could hardly catch my breath. He also did a legitimate magic trick that was quite good, but he designed his routine so that the audience would discover the secret eventually, and the revelation would generate laughs throughout the rest of the show.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

5th July 2003, 03:02 AM	#3
UnrepentantSinner A post by Alan Smithee Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: USAian is not a word Posts: 23,160	Quote: Originally posted by Brown I should add that I would very much like to find Steve Martin's first HBO special from the late 1970s. In it, Steve did a card trick called something like "King of Hearts, come down and dance!" which had me laughing so hard that I could hardly catch my breath. He also did a legitimate magic trick that was quite good, but he designed his routine so that the audience would discover the secret eventually, and the revelation would generate laughs throughout the rest of the show. Ahahahaha! I performed that in the bar at the Amazing Meeting. I saw him do it 20 years ago and I still laugh when I think about it. I honestly thought I was the only person who remembered that particular "trick." Another one he did on one of the late shows had to have the assistance of videotape. He'd simply cut and shuffle the cards then ask the host if he saw him mark the aces. The host says no, and Martin suggests they view the replay in slo-mo. The tape shows him flipping the cards over until he gets to an ace and then he'll bend a corner, or mark on it with a pen or tape a small flag to it. I'm laughing as I type...
	__________________ "The permanence of the stars was questioned, the justice of slavery was not" - Carl Sagan in Cosmos discussing the content of the Library of Alexandria. a post by Alan Smithee explained. Blutoski's taxonomy of woo Join my The Not Cool Kids Club

5th July 2003, 10:21 PM	#4
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	Quote: Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner Ahahahaha! I performed that in the bar at the Amazing Meeting. I saw him do it 20 years ago and I still laugh when I think about it. I honestly thought I was the only person who remembered that particular "trick." Martin's set-up for the "King of Hearts" trick is what really made it funny. He did some fans and flourishes, to show that he really had some legitimate conjuring skill, and then he did the "King of Hearts" trick. His unexpected technique was what tripped my humor switch.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice