Seriously? The Music Show is a rare recording, frontrow? As it happens, I actually have at least three of them (long story) - had no idea they were rare. They even have the hexaflexagons, still. I think one is unopened.
I enjoyed The Magic Show, Merlin not so much. I think Christian Slater played the young Merlin (I know he was in the show). This is also the show where my dislike for Nathan Lane began. It's the first time I remember him publicly disrespecting his fellow actors. He referred to Doug Henning as a "triple threat - can't sing, can't act, can't dance". Nice. All true, of course, and all the more cruel for that. He has done this sort of thing time and time again, and if he thinks it's witty, he's wrong.
Doug Henning was a sweet man, dedicated to bringing magic into people's lives. He had a good heart, always had a smile on his face and died far too young.
I also agree neither show ought to be revived. Merlin was really pretty bad, The Magic Show not much better and very much centered around Henning. I did love Ogden-Stiers as the older performer. He really had a pretty damn good voice, and Anita Morris had such a fun song lamenting being summoned up at anyone's whim.
"I've been shocked and unfrocked at a Wapurgisnacht - tell me - where is Gloria Steinman when you need her?"
Updated On: 1/21/10 at 05:43 PM