America’s Got Talent star Murray SawChuck claims he’s been ‘unfairly targeted’ after being banned from exclusive Hollywood magic club over viral video he posted EXPOSING tricks that was viewed 65 MILLION times
A former America’s Got Talent semi-finalist who was sensationally banned from the Magic Castle after almost three decades believes he has been ‘unfairly targeted’ – and suggested jealous colleagues could have been behind the decision.
Magician and illusionist Murray SawChuck, 50, was kicked out of the exclusive members club earlier this month after posting a series of clips on his Facebook page revealing famous tricks.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Murray claimed that the tricks, which include sword swallowing and flower disappearing, have previously been debunked online, and that if his video had not gone viral he would not have been banned.
“I think I’m being unfairly targeted, in the sense that the things I’m revealing, I’ve shown in videos before,” he said. “So my question is: why now? I now know why, because the video did very well and got a lot of views.
Magician Murray SawChuck believes he was ‘unfairly’ attacked after being banished from the Magic Castle
The 50-year-old magician was banned from the members club for revealing how famous magic tricks work in a video that has now gone viral
The video in question, posted on January 25, has been viewed 65 million times and shows him performing a number of tricks before his wife, Dani, unmasks him.
“I really believe that if the video had only gotten 100 or 200 views, a lot of people wouldn’t have seen it,” he said.
‘I’ve been giving tricks for a long time. What I think is a bit unfair is the fact that exposing magic is exposing magic. You show how a trick is performed. Right?
‘And (with) magic you have to create mystery. You’re not supposed to expose a trick.
“But if I say so, I want to teach you a trick. Well, teaching is accepted. But teaching a trick is still unmasking. It’s just a nicer way of saying you’re showing a trick to someone who hopefully wants to learn it.”
Noting the irony, Murray noted, “Many of these magicians have learned tricks online or in courses to get people involved in magic. We want to keep this ancient art alive.’
Murray was a member of Magic Castle – a Hollywood-based clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts and for magicians and magic enthusiasts – for more than 26 years.
Reflecting on why members reported him, he said: “I think there are a handful of magicians who are unhappy with what I was doing online, and I think unfortunately (that’s) because I’ve been in the business for a long time.
Murray showed how the classic sword swallowing trick works in one of his viral videos
Together with his wife, he also told viewers about the secret of the never-ending handkerchief trick
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Murray pointed out the hypocrisy of his ban on Magic Castle and said people can easily discover how tricks work on the Internet
“Because I had a show on the Las Vegas Strip, I think that carries a little more weight as well. If I wasn’t so famous or the videos, you know 65 million views….”
When Murray learned earlier this month that he was being banned from the Magic Castle pending a review, Murray said, “I was actually overwhelmed and surprised.
‘I was completely shocked by it. I have been teaching magic online since 2015. Probably one in ten videos we put in a trick learning video because people want to learn and that’s how I learned magic.
“I had a friend back home in Vancouver, Canada, where I’m originally from, who showed me a few tricks and uncovered their magic to help me.
‘I loved it, and I started to believe in it. I guess I’m one of the best magicians working in the world now. And that’s how you get interested in it, you know?’
Murray, who rose to fame after appearing on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent in 2010, compared his videos to people going to Universal Studios and learning how movies are made.
Murray and his wife Dani pictured at his final Murray the Magician show at the Laugh Factory Comedy Club at the Tropicana Las Vegas on March 27
The magician rose to fame after appearing on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent in 2010
‘Suddenly it sparks interest and you say, “Wait a minute, it’s not real? We can actually make this stuff up and make a great storyline and be entertained?”
“And so you get the Aaron Spelling and Ron Howards and all these great directors and filmmakers.”
Despite breaking Magic Castle’s rule against exposing magic tricks, Murray begged that his videos not interfere with anyone’s artwork.
“You’re not discrediting anyone’s artwork because they (magicians) will use their own signature things that they do – and they’re things you can buy online,” he said.
‘And I said: That’s fine with me, because it doesn’t bother anyone.’
Should Magic Castle reverse its decision, Murray would be happy to return to the club.
“I’d like that,” he admitted. ‘Of course I love the Magic Castle. When I first performed there when I was 24 years old, it was amazing.
“You know, legends have walked through the door, everyone who’s a magician has been in that building, it’s the Carnegie Hall for magicians.”
Murray showed no sign of dissatisfaction with the club’s decision, adding: ‘I think it’s phenomenal what that place is and I will always uphold the Magic Castle. I like the place. I would always recommend it to people.
“They have a great youth program, you know, where young petitioners can learn and stuff, and yeah, it’s literally a place.”