I was seventeen years old when I sat in my first ever TV magic writers room. I was the least experienced by a long shot and took it as an opportunity to learn from everyone. I do remember one stand-out moment — about halfway through the day, we began discussing a trick idea, and the most experienced consultant in the room stood up and made a gentle announcement.

They informed us that they had worked on a similar trick for a TV series the year before and that they were happy for us to continue the discussion, but they would need to leave the room and inform their previous client.

I remember thinking the guy was probably overreacting. But over the years, I’ve realised that secrets are the most valuable currency in our industry. There are consultants I will not recommend for work due to their poor ability to keep a secret. I’ve since watched big-name magic consultants refuse to attend set on days tricks are being recorded that are similar to tricks they’ve worked on for others.

And the story came full circle when seven years later, I sat in a writers room in America, and the team discussed a magic trick with a hoodie. I don’t remember leaving the room, but I let them know I’d worked on something similar and called the original client to let them know. Secrets are the most valuable currency for the consultant.

Besides the moral dilemma of secret-keeping, there’s also the legal one. I have signed so many non-disclosure agreements. The validity of these agreements is probably minute. I keep secrets because good secret-keepers get hired again.

Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Over the next year, I will reach out to industry insiders behind your favourite magic shows and ask for their unfiltered experiences and opinions. I’ll interview casting producers, studio directors, contestants, winners and consultants. I'll be keeping their names anonymous to make things a little more engaging and give participants the freedom to speak their minds.

I spoke to three Fool Us contestants about their time on the show to kick things off and trial this anonymous interview idea. Good luck guessing who they might be.

Fool Us Performer 001

How did you get cast for the TV show?

I submitted a video to Fool Us casting.

Did you perform a new or existing trick of yours?

I performed an act I created (I guess that’s what you mean by something new). The goal wasn’t to try to make it original. I wanted to perform an act that best represented me as a magician, and I create all of my magic, so it was important to me that my act reflected that.

Did the producers make any changes to your routine?

Surprisingly, no. They made a few minimal tweaks in the script but, if I asked to keep it the way it was or change it a bit they were very flexible.

How did the rehearsals go for the show?

I spent 3 full days in Vegas. The first day I filmed the one minute intro. The second day nothing was planned so I just practised my act. The third day was when they Filmed my performance. After I got makeup and the mic ready I had 3 rehearsals on the stage. They brought Penn and Teller in, and I performed my act. I was able to do the performance right after my rehearsal since there was no audience due to covid.

Was your goal to fool Penn and Teller?

Not at all. I always knew it was a nice cherry on top but not necessary for my goal. My goal was to put on a good performance and impress Penn & Teller. I felt I was ready to accomplish this goal and reach a larger audience.

Did you fool Penn and Teller?

Yep.

Would you go on the show again?

Possibly. I was just on this season so most likely not anytime soon. Generally, magicians go on the help their magic business so it will be a bit before/if I need a boost again.

What would your advice be to first-time contestants?

Talk to the producers about what camera angles are necessary. If I were on any other show I would have made sure to do this but since I knew this show only ever filmed magicians I assumed it wasn’t necessary. I didn’t see the video of my act until it aired, and there was nothing bad that was caught on camera but there were a couple of very small tweaks I would have made. I hope this doesn’t come off in too much of a negative way because I do appreciate that Fool Us has the magicians best interest in mind. They want to make you look as good as possible, which is very comforting to know.

Fool Us Performer 002

How did you get cast for the TV show?

I’d been on the show before but it never aired. I’d contacted producers before about another routine but hadn’t completed a video. They sent out a mad email to everybody that had emailed them before. I spent a long time producing a vid and then sent it to them and then waited for ages to hear back. I was finally confirmed 2 weeks prior to filming.

Did you perform a new or existing trick of yours?

Something of mine that I’d never published that I knew had a clever method but I knew I could add a very strong presentation to.

Did the producers make any changes to your routine?

Not really.

How did the rehearsals go for the show?

I performed on a virtual season so there was only one rehearsal witnessed live by production. Producers, director, my segment producer, art director and Mike Close.

Was your goal to fool Penn and Teller?

Yes. It wouldn’t have been a disaster to not fool them as the real prize is a great clip but I very much wanted and expected to fool them.

Did you fool Penn and Teller?

Yep.

Would you go on the show again?

I think so. I’d want it to be something very special though.

What would your advice be to first-time contestants?

The producers took an insane amount of time to confirm me. I didn’t mind not being chosen but not knowing is brutal. Also, my routine included so much pre-production work that if I’d waited till I was confirmed I wouldn’t have completed it. I worked solidly from the application point hoping/semi-confident I’d be chosen and thankfully, I was ready when they booked me with just over 10 days till filming.

Fool Us Performer 003

How did you get cast for the TV show?

We’ve been contacted by their casting team numerous times in the past, but have never really felt like we have anything unique to offer.

When we were asked to do it for season 7, we were really up for it and went through the process, until Covid made it impossible for us to perform ‘in-person’. They’d mentioned we could do it virtually, but the virtual performance wasn’t really a thing at this time, so naively didn’t think it would look as good as being there in person.

Having watched a couple of virtual performances from season 7, and being more clued up in the virtual world, we realised we could have done this, and jumped at the chance when they asked us for season 8.

Did you perform a new or existing trick of yours?

We performed something we think is totally new. It’s inspired by a well-known routine, but with a whacky twist and a totally different method.

Did the producers make any changes to your routine?

The whole team were very helpful and did all they can to try and make it as smooth as possible. Everyone is on the same team and just wants to make it look as best as possible.

How did the rehearsals go for the show?

We starred down the camera lens, and there was an awkward pause (we weren’t even nearly ready for a full run-through!!). We started walking through the routine, and it was so embarrassing. Luckily our friend was on the call too, and he saved our ass, answered all their questions and then we got into shape. It was certainly a wake-up call!

Was your goal to fool Penn and Teller?

No. We know it’s not an ingenious method, and probably had a 5% chance of fooling them (on the basis Teller fell asleep and missed everything) - for us, it was nice to do it, and it’ll be nice to say we’ve done it.

Did you fool Penn and Teller?

No.

Would you go on the show again?

Yes. Now we’ve been through the process and know how it works and what their expectations are, we would like to go on and be there ‘in-person’ with the goal being to fool them.

What would your advice be to first-time contestants?

We were very fortunate that we had help from someone that has been on the show before. I would 100% recommend doing the same and speaking to someone who’s been on the show, ask them all the questions you have. For us, it was very stressful, and very time consuming, but a lot of fun, and we’re really pleased we did it.