MAINTelevision David Blaine

Before there was Mindfreak, there was... David Blaine.

There is definitely more than meets the eye when it comes to David Blaine...or is there? Can anyone do what he does? Is it really just a matter of learning some tricks and practicing a lot?

Maybe David Blaine card tricks can be learned, but how do you learn how to go without food for 44 days in a glass box hanging over a river? Or bury yourself alive...or spending a week in a water tank?

Many David Blaine critics think his biggest trick is getting the public to react the way they do when he performs.

In 2003, his London stunt earned him the nick-name "Biggest Loser" after he survived 44 days with no food in a glass box. There was no magic involved yet people were riveted.

What is David Blaine up to next? How can he test his limits further? It is amazing to see a card trick that is baffling, or ave a quarter come from your ear. Levitating even an inch off the ground - or swallowing a diamond and then making it come out of your eye - go way beyond your basic magic tricks.

And David Blaine has mastered them all. Well, except for staying in an aquarium for seven days in front of New York's Lincoln Center. Millions watched as he failed in his attempt to hold his breath for a record-breaking 9 minutes in an ABC special that aired on May 8, 2006.

In 2008, Blaine announced plans to reenact his New York drowning stunt on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show, which aired on April 30, 2008. With paramedics standing by Blaine broke the world record for for breath-holding — 17 minutes and 4 seconds — fulfilling what he said was "a lifelong dream."

In September, Blaine staged another stunt involving hanging upside down for several days suspended over New York's Central Park. Critics accused the street magician of fraud when it was revealed that during the 60-hour endurance test, some time-outs were taken for stretches, meals, and bathroom breaks.

More about David Blaine around the Web:

Street Magic - David Blaine - Great site! Truly interesting trivia on this mystery man we know as David Blaine, with a detailed history of how he got started. Learn about David's techniques and how to do them yourself, plus recent news and updates, pictures, video clips.

David Blaine.com - Official site to find out about upcoming events and a link to his book. Interesting opening sketch, plus lots more images in the picture gallery....

Wikipedia - David Blaine - Informative and detailed. History of stunts and great links.

IMDB - David Blaine - Basic info on David Blaine, what he has become known for in a complete bio, and what he's up to now.

Magic Directory - David Blaine - Interested in who dated David Blaine? Who are his friends or who has he performed for? Not to mention specific sections for each stunt he has performed. All this plus other great info.

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