Anyone seen "The Amazing Johnathon" in Vegas?

aargh57 · 26th March 2007, 02:28 PM

Go out to Vegas once or twice a year with the wife and have seen all the shows that we "really" wanted to so far. I was interested in seing "The Amazing Johnathon". Has anyone seen this or could recommend it? We saw Mac King, P&T, and Lance Burton. Really liked the first 2, really disliked Burton. Seemed like the same trick over and over, Girl gets into box, guy gets out or variations of the same and I could tell how he did many of them. I really liked the humorous aspects of the P&T and King acts and was hoping Johnathon was similar. Also, I see he has a "psychic". Is this a conventional one or is it poking fun at them?

One last thing. Does the "Amazing" in his title have anything to do with an inspiration from Randi?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Azrael 5 · 26th March 2007, 02:32 PM

He has some videos on YouTube.
Psychic Tania is assistant.is she really psychic? Well that would be telling.

treble_head · 26th March 2007, 03:00 PM

He's kind of like Penn & Teller, but instead of Teller, you get the most annoying woman ever. And with worse jokes. And less impressive tricks.

I'm not the biggest Amazing Jonathan fan...

The Central Scrutinizer · 26th March 2007, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by aargh57

Go out to Vegas once or twice a year with the wife and have seen all the shows that we "really" wanted to so far. I was interested in seing "The Amazing Johnathon". Has anyone seen this or could recommend it? We saw Mac King, P&T, and Lance Burton. Really liked the first 2, really disliked Burton. Seemed like the same trick over and over, Girl gets into box, guy gets out or variations of the same and I could tell how he did many of them. I really liked the humorous aspects of the P&T and King acts and was hoping Johnathon was similar. Also, I see he has a "psychic". Is this a conventional one or is it poking fun at them?

One last thing. Does the "Amazing" in his title have anything to do with an inspiration from Randi?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

He's very funny. I've seen him numerous times on TV, but never live. I would highly recommend seeing his act.

ETA: treble_head is wrong.

firecoins · 26th March 2007, 08:10 PM

The Amazing Jonathon is hilarious but he is nothing like Penn & Teller and not even close to Mac King. AJ to me is awesome.

Brown · 26th March 2007, 08:34 PM

This is mostly second-hand info, so take it for what it is worth. My efforts to see Amazing Johnathon first-hand were foiled (the first time, because he had been fired from a casino and was between jobs, and the second time, by my own severe illness).

If you want to see good magic, don't see Johnathon. But if you want to laugh your a** off (and adult language doesn't faze you), see him.

Some of his tricks are okay, but not spectacular. It is the premise, the delivery, the quips and the occasional improvisation that makes them entertaining.

My personal favorite is a trick Johnathon does with cards. (I have seen this on a television special, and I do not know if he performs it in his act.) I won't describe the trick, but I will say that when I first saw it, I was extremely impressed. It looked like Johnathon had some exceptional skill with cards!

But defying the rule that "You should never repeat a trick," Johnathon did the trick again. And again. And again. With each iteration, the trick became more spectacular, but its secret also became more obvious! Further, it became crystal clear that there was no need for any skill with cards at all! I laughed like a fiend at myself, because I had been fooled by a trick with such a ridiculously simple secret.

Johnathon, of course, prompted the audience with his wild-eyed wonderment expression as he repeated the trick. This physical comedy was exceptionally well executed.

rebecca · 26th March 2007, 08:39 PM

I've seen him live three times though never in Vegas and only once sober. However, all three times he was hilarious. In case you didn't know, he's a comedian, not a magician.

CJW · 26th March 2007, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by rebecca

I've seen him live three times though never in Vegas and only once sober.

Does the sober refer to him or you? I've seen him on TV once or twice. I would go see him live, if I had the chance.

Chris

aargh57 · 27th March 2007, 06:58 AM

Looks like a bunch of "yea"s and only one "neh" so I think this one may be a good one to go to. I also think that sometimes he's on the "1/2 price ticket" booth so we may luck out and get a cheap show. Thanks for everybody that responded.

Bob Klase · 27th March 2007, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by rebecca

In case you didn't know, he's a comedian, not a magician.

Actually he's both. His act relies on the comedy more than the magic, but he's capable of performing some very good magic.

Hammer_of_Thor · 27th March 2007, 08:57 AM

I have seen him twice and enjoyed both times. There is much more comedy than magic. He has a book with all sorts of practical jokes and stuff like that. His comedy has lots of "groaners".

firecoins · 27th March 2007, 12:26 PM

Seen AJ 3 times. The first time was in NYC before he was in Vegas. I still laugh at his stuff.

AudioFreak · 27th March 2007, 02:46 PM

I loved watching AJ on Comedy Central back in the day. If I'm ever in Vegas for more than 36 hours I'll be sure to catch him.

The Demon's Head · 27th March 2007, 06:36 PM

TAJ is more of a comedian. He's sort of funny at times. I remember seeing him perform a certain stunt with Criss Angel which was, in my opinion, one of the best illusions that TAJ has ever performed.

AudioFreak · 28th March 2007, 02:45 PM

I was always a fan of snorting the giant jar of white powder... not to be tried at home.

26th March 2007, 02:28 PM	#1
aargh57 Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 330	Anyone seen "The Amazing Johnathon" in Vegas? Go out to Vegas once or twice a year with the wife and have seen all the shows that we "really" wanted to so far. I was interested in seing "The Amazing Johnathon". Has anyone seen this or could recommend it? We saw Mac King, P&T, and Lance Burton. Really liked the first 2, really disliked Burton. Seemed like the same trick over and over, Girl gets into box, guy gets out or variations of the same and I could tell how he did many of them. I really liked the humorous aspects of the P&T and King acts and was hoping Johnathon was similar. Also, I see he has a "psychic". Is this a conventional one or is it poking fun at them? One last thing. Does the "Amazing" in his title have anything to do with an inspiration from Randi? Any help would greatly be appreciated.
aargh57 Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 330

26th March 2007, 02:32 PM	#2
Azrael 5 Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Yorkshire,Uk Posts: 4,171	He has some videos on YouTube. Psychic Tania is assistant.is she really psychic? Well that would be telling.
	__________________ "I achieve these results through a mixture of magic,misdirection,suggestion and showmanship"-Derren Brown Photography here

26th March 2007, 03:00 PM	#3
treble_head Cupcake Loser Moron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Assuming the party escort submission position. Posts: 10,254	He's kind of like Penn & Teller, but instead of Teller, you get the most annoying woman ever. And with worse jokes. And less impressive tricks. I'm not the biggest Amazing Jonathan fan...
	__________________ My GF: Don't make fun of me! I'm delicate. Me: Yes. You are a delicate and fragile flower. My GF: Good. Now tell me how pretty I am or I'll punch you in the junk.

26th March 2007, 03:18 PM	#4
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 20,265	Originally Posted by aargh57 Go out to Vegas once or twice a year with the wife and have seen all the shows that we "really" wanted to so far. I was interested in seing "The Amazing Johnathon". Has anyone seen this or could recommend it? We saw Mac King, P&T, and Lance Burton. Really liked the first 2, really disliked Burton. Seemed like the same trick over and over, Girl gets into box, guy gets out or variations of the same and I could tell how he did many of them. I really liked the humorous aspects of the P&T and King acts and was hoping Johnathon was similar. Also, I see he has a "psychic". Is this a conventional one or is it poking fun at them? One last thing. Does the "Amazing" in his title have anything to do with an inspiration from Randi? Any help would greatly be appreciated. He's very funny. I've seen him numerous times on TV, but never live. I would highly recommend seeing his act. ETA: treble_head is wrong.
	__________________ "I got to play with (Michael Goudeau's balls) briefly, and they are primo quality. Heavy, soft, and pliant." - Jeff Wagg "You are always so helpful, rational, and polite." - SaulOhio http://www.stopsylvia.com Last edited by The Central Scrutinizer; 26th March 2007 at 03:23 PM.

26th March 2007, 08:10 PM	#5
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,054	The Amazing Jonathon is hilarious but he is nothing like Penn & Teller and not even close to Mac King. AJ to me is awesome.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

26th March 2007, 08:34 PM	#6
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	This is mostly second-hand info, so take it for what it is worth. My efforts to see Amazing Johnathon first-hand were foiled (the first time, because he had been fired from a casino and was between jobs, and the second time, by my own severe illness). If you want to see good magic, don't see Johnathon. But if you want to laugh your a** off (and adult language doesn't faze you), see him. Some of his tricks are okay, but not spectacular. It is the premise, the delivery, the quips and the occasional improvisation that makes them entertaining. My personal favorite is a trick Johnathon does with cards. (I have seen this on a television special, and I do not know if he performs it in his act.) I won't describe the trick, but I will say that when I first saw it, I was extremely impressed. It looked like Johnathon had some exceptional skill with cards! But defying the rule that "You should never repeat a trick," Johnathon did the trick again. And again. And again. With each iteration, the trick became more spectacular, but its secret also became more obvious! Further, it became crystal clear that there was no need for any skill with cards at all! I laughed like a fiend at myself, because I had been fooled by a trick with such a ridiculously simple secret. Johnathon, of course, prompted the audience with his wild-eyed wonderment expression as he repeated the trick. This physical comedy was exceptionally well executed.
	__________________ 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

26th March 2007, 08:39 PM	#7
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: some other spring Posts: 6,852	I've seen him live three times though never in Vegas and only once sober. However, all three times he was hilarious. In case you didn't know, he's a comedian, not a magician.

26th March 2007, 08:52 PM	#8
CJW Scholar Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 123	Originally Posted by rebecca I've seen him live three times though never in Vegas and only once sober. Does the sober refer to him or you? I've seen him on TV once or twice. I would go see him live, if I had the chance. Chris
CJW Scholar Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 123	__________________ No matter where you go... there you are.

27th March 2007, 06:58 AM	#9
aargh57 Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 330	Looks like a bunch of "yea"s and only one "neh" so I think this one may be a good one to go to. I also think that sometimes he's on the "1/2 price ticket" booth so we may luck out and get a cheap show. Thanks for everybody that responded.
aargh57 Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 330

27th March 2007, 07:27 AM	#10
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	Originally Posted by rebecca In case you didn't know, he's a comedian, not a magician. Actually he's both. His act relies on the comedy more than the magic, but he's capable of performing some very good magic.

27th March 2007, 08:57 AM	#11
Hammer_of_Thor Thinker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nunn Ya Posts: 166	I have seen him twice and enjoyed both times. There is much more comedy than magic. He has a book with all sorts of practical jokes and stuff like that. His comedy has lots of "groaners".

27th March 2007, 12:26 PM	#12
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,054	Seen AJ 3 times. The first time was in NYC before he was in Vegas. I still laugh at his stuff.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

27th March 2007, 02:46 PM	#13
AudioFreak Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 380	I loved watching AJ on Comedy Central back in the day. If I'm ever in Vegas for more than 36 hours I'll be sure to catch him.

27th March 2007, 06:36 PM	#14
The Demon's Head Crime cannot be tolerated Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hell. Posts: 1,419	TAJ is more of a comedian. He's sort of funny at times. I remember seeing him perform a certain stunt with Criss Angel which was, in my opinion, one of the best illusions that TAJ has ever performed.
	__________________

28th March 2007, 02:45 PM	#15
AudioFreak Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 380	I was always a fan of snorting the giant jar of white powder... not to be tried at home.