Murray SawChuck, a former America’s Got Talent semi-finalist, was recently suspended from the Magic Castle after nearly three decades due to a video he posted exposing famous magic tricks. The 50-year-old magician believes he has been ‘unfairly targeted’ and indicated that peers may have jealousy as the reason behind the decision. He mentioned that the tricks he revealed had been debunked online before and that his video only gained traction because it went viral, reaching 65 million views.
The video in question was posted on January 25 and featured Murray performing several tricks before his wife exposed the secrets behind them. Despite being aware of the consequences of his actions, Murray defended his decision to expose magic tricks and highlighted the role of teaching in the magic community. He expressed understanding that magic is about creating mystery and stated that teaching a trick is still a form of exposing it. Murray emphasized that his intention was not to discredit anyone’s work but to spark interest in magic and creativity.
Having been a member of Magic Castle for over 26 years, Murray believes that fellow magicians were unhappy with his online exposure of tricks, particularly due to his long-standing career and popularity. He was initially shocked by the ban and emphasized his love for the art of magic, which was sparked by a friend showing him tricks in Vancouver. Murray compared his instructional videos to visitors learning about movie-making processes at Universal Studios, suggesting that they can inspire creativity and interest in the field.
Despite breaking the rule of not exposing magic tricks at Magic Castle, Murray defended his videos by stating that they did not discredit the work of other magicians, as each performer has unique signature elements in their acts. He also mentioned that many tricks can be purchased online, and his videos were intended to educate and entertain rather than harm anyone’s reputation. Although he would welcome a return to Magic Castle if the decision is reversed, Murray expressed admiration for the club and its historical significance in the world of magic.
Reflecting on his ban, Murray pointed out the hypocrisy of being penalized for revealing magic tricks when similar instructional content is readily available on the internet. He reiterated his love for the Magic Castle and its contributions to the magic community, highlighting the club’s youth program as a positive initiative for aspiring magicians. Despite the controversy surrounding his suspension, Murray expressed appreciation for the opportunities and experiences he had at the Magic Castle over the years and indicated his continued support for the establishment.
