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So, we all now that David Blaine did not come close to breaking the world record for holding one's breath underwater. Here's a funny quote from one spectator to the NY Sun that sums it up, "This is not magic. If it were magic, he would have pulled it off easily." Kirk Krack, the breathing coach that dispatched the divers to rescue Blaine, said the street magician was having convulsions when rescued, so people should stop bitching about him not breaking the record. However, there is one thing Blaine succeeded in: Affirm his position as a New York City crazy man who can get people to stop and wonder what the hell he is doing. And he even cries! Here are Gothamist's pros and cons about the stunt and TV special:
Pros:The NY Times' Ginia Bellafante writes, "The absurd seriousness with which Mr. Blaine approaches his public stunts leaves you with a certain glee at his failure." But you know that will just egg him on to do more! The ratings for his special weren't that great, but he was pitted against Deal or No Deal, CBS comedies and Prison Break in hour 1, and then 24 and more CBS comedies in hour 2. (Too bad Nielsen won't count the crowd at Lincoln Center; there were tons of people there when we stopped by, and a big police presence.) Till your next insane stunt, Mr. Blaine.
- Maybe a temporary fishtank at Lincoln Center is not a bad idea
- David Blaine's flabby pre-stunt body (good for laughs)
- Seeing his gross hands and feet - a lesson to all of us not to be crazy
- Evel Knievel wearing his oxygen tube as David Blaine held his breath
- When the divers had to "rescue" Blaine - they were so cool in their silver divesuits!Cons:
- The special was all filler - it could have been a swift one hour (and not enough street magic)
- Seeing how David Blaine lost 50 pounds, because it shows we're sorely lacking in discipline (and a team of trainers)
- Stuart Scott stinks as a host
- David Blaine's monotone voiceover during the taped parts of the special- show some excitement, okay?
Here's a nice shot of a delirious Blaine being carried out from NYC Arthur on Flickr. We expect to see David Blaine: Drowned Alive but Saved snowglobes soon. And Gothamist on David Blaine.
Photograph of the divers helping David Blaine escape from the AP
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But he was doing it for the people! A populist! Someone who looks out for the rest of us by pulling an elaborate, and entirely stupid, stunt that has just about no meaning whatsoever.
Who could shun him for that??
"Kirk Krack"??
Wow, Everything about this "event" is Odd...
He sure looked like he was in Convulsions from the Video.
David Blaine for president. Even he can do it better that you know who.
anyone else think it was rediculous how they finished that sad story about that freediver dying with, "and david blaine will stay underwater even longer than her!!" They had clips of her and her husband then showed her dying on national tv...
Yeah Matt, I thought that was pretty coarse. I read about that freediver in Outside Magazine awhile back, and did think "I wonder if they'll talk about her story." but was still shocked when they did.
Plus, the numbskull announcer didn't help.
"This is not magic. If it were magic, he would have pulled it off easily."
I never thought of his stunts as magic tricks. And I don’t think he does or expect anyone else to think they are either. He just happens to have a lot more willpower and a mind more at Zen with the universe then most people. I just don’t see what the big deal is with Blaine and these large public spectacles. He’s just a lonely man starving for attention.
Thing is he probably could beat the record for holding his breath if he didn’t do this thing inside an aquarium for a week.
He should stick to street performing with cards and the levitation stuff.
Houdini, he's not.
Timmy the Magnificent Birthday Magician should give it a try, he couldn't do worse.
And they make this a special??.....maybe if Geraldo hosted, "The Missing Magic Trick" special.
Anybody out there want to see the Naked Cowboy jump in the tank?
It's a cold day in Gotham when Jen has turned into sound like a snide & snippity killjoy. And they say marriage doesn't change people.
I accidently landed on this site via a google search just now, and I literally just choked on cigarette smoke LMAO!! OMG! How have I missed this site?? Anyway, I have no idea if my post will show up, nor do I know how to reply to a specific post...but S.D., who posted ""Kirk Krack"?? Wow, Everything about this "event" is Odd..." is what started me laughing hysterically!!
Wow- I have taken this whole David Blaine thing waaay too seriously! Had I not fell onto this page just now, I'd never have known how serious about his "stunts" and about him I've become! Thanks for my reality check- I feel like an idiot now defending him to all those around me who thought I was "out of it" with being so enamored and obsessively going to see him and reading about him! Thanks for the slap in the face I needed...and, man, it felt good to just crack up so hard!! Gotta add this to my favorites right now!
Didn't he promise he would die if he couldn't do it? I feel a bit cheated here.
Am I the only one that thinks this whole thing was a scripted illusion? I think he didn't break the record because it wouldn't be legit if he did and he would be called out by the real freedivers (shouldn't there be officials of some sort who document record breaking attempts?).
I think it was still very physically demanding and all but freedivers dedicate their lives to this and David Blaine is going to break their records with just 6 months of training?
I've seen Blane do some of his "illusions" on the street for his specials. They are all edited after the fact to make it look better (and for audience reactions). Case in point: when he "levitates", when you see it live it is obvious that he has some sort of lifts on his heels, on tv they edit that out. He's a Barnum without the class, charm, or showmanship; Just good tv editors. Pretty typical of entertainment today.
Nodini
Well, at least Blaine doesn't abuse animals like the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Blaine's only crime is annoying some people, and he only physically hurts himself. Sounds like a lot of Gothamist readers, actually.
Nodini
[14] Posted by: SATAN | May 10, 2006 11:59 AM
Perfectly said.
I've just been staying at home not getting anything done. I guess it doesn't bother me. Shrug. I haven't been up to anything. I haven't gotten much done today.
I haven't been up to much these days. Today was a loss. Nothing seems important. I've just been letting everything happen without me these days.