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Threats from Criss Angel
As I traveled the East Coast this week I read from afar about the threat Las Vegas magician Criss Angel issued to Review-Journal celebrity writer Norm Clarke. Now, let me first say that when it comes to first hand knowledge, I don't know jack about Angel. For all I know his erratic behavior may just be schtick.
The story goes like this:
Days before Cirque du Soleil announced details of the $100 million magic show being built around Angel at Luxor, his public behavior became news.
Upset that his girlfriend, Miss Nevada USA Veronica Grabowski, failed to make the final 15 last Friday at Planet Hollywood Resort, after his improper request to a pageant judge to "give my girl high marks," Angel made a spectacle of himself and took things into his own hands. He approached the stage and attempted to have a contestant trade places with Grabowski during a commercial break to improve his girlfriend's camera exposure. Later, when an NBC camera moved in to get a closeup of Angel in his seat, he flipped 'em the bird.
That should have been cause enough for his handlers to get him out of the public eye before he could get into more trouble.
But he wasn't through. He confronted my colleague Norm minutes after the pageant ended and threatened him with the so-clever "Don't ever write another word about me, or you'll need an eyepatch over your other eye."
Like I said, I don't know much about Criss Angel. His "look at me, I'm an ass" public persona may only be a harmless act. But just for the record, he ought to understand that the Review-Journal does not take threats against its reporters lightly. So, as publisher of the newspaper let me be clear, Criss: Any future act by you or one of your hangers-on that even bears the illusion of a threat will not be tolerated.
This entry was posted on Friday, Apr. 18, 2008 at 10:42 AM
and is filed under The Complete Las Vegan.
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to "Threats from Criss Angel"
Cirque should think about changing the name of the Luxor show to " Chris Angel: ASS!", that way newcomers to his behavior would be forewarned. He can't have it both ways and act like an Ass for attention, yet not have it reported he acted like an Ass for the attention. And to threaten an icon like Norm who was doing his job, and the terms he used... deserves a BIG mea culpa.
Well, as a fan of Cris Angel's, I must say this bothers me. Doesn't surprise me, but does bother me.
Chris
Don't be a punk. Apologize to Norm. Is a woman ever worth a fight or your career. As a fan I like the magic, not the act!!!
Don't be a punk. Apologize to Norm. Is a woman ever worth a fight or your career. As a fan I like the magic, not the act!!!
I agree. If you apologize this will blow over with dignity. If you don't then it's your reputation on the line. Just because you have a live show coming up doesn't mean people will forget your behavior. Also as much as a fan as I am of yours I'm getting tired of seeing all the "posed pictures" of your and your girlfriend. It's you we want to see not her!
Geez, a little bit over the top isn't it? You're just feeding the greaseball's bad-boy persona that gets frustrated housewives all shivery in the first place. The worst press you could give a guy like Angel is NO PRESS. Ignore him, and eventually he'll beg to be back in your good graces. Funny thing though, he seems to go through skeezers that are half his age faster than most of us go through a fresh load of laundry. He's hangin' with Miss Nevada now, but it'll be some other poor midguided girl before you know it.
Little Chrisie hasn't figured out you never get in a fight with someone that buys ink by the barrel.
I used to like Criss but I've totally done a 180 after this and when he said he'd put that Phenomenon contestant in the Hospital. I can't believe that Cirque is even associated with him. Have THEY apologized?
We just got from Vegas 2 weeks ago and I was quite disappointed with the whole "Chris Angel" hype. The "production office" has been made into another gift shop and just for a stupid t-shirt they wanted $60....
Mr personality better remember where he came from before he gets de-railed and becomes another vegas has-been.
Mr personality better remember where he came from before he gets de-railed and becomes another vegas has-been.
I was a huge Criss Angel fan for a couple years. Still think he's a great entertainer but his boorish behavior at one event after another is getting old. He's looking like a thug instead of a talented performer. Not the way to attract big crowds to a new show. And threatening Norm is about the stupidest thing he could do in this town! Grow up already!
Another so-called celebrity who has let the bright lights blind him to think he's something special or that he's bad. He has let his 90 millimeter mouth overload his BB ass. More than likely he's hiding behind his bodyguards.
He's gonna' learn the hard way though when someone he mouths off to will knock him on his keester.
Someone should also talk to him about his appearance including the rags he wears with all his little chains and studs. I'll bet he thinks he's fly, when in reality he looks like some stumble bum that has been raiding the dumpsters for his clothes.
Chris, make yourself disappear!
He's gonna' learn the hard way though when someone he mouths off to will knock him on his keester.
Someone should also talk to him about his appearance including the rags he wears with all his little chains and studs. I'll bet he thinks he's fly, when in reality he looks like some stumble bum that has been raiding the dumpsters for his clothes.
Chris, make yourself disappear!
What would Harry Houdini do...
I love Criss and Veronica. I say: "You Go, Criss!"
I'm so over this story. I doubt it really happend and if so, it's being highly exaggerated. I'm sure it's one big joke to Criss Angel..who has plenty of cash and and an equal amount of ego to go with it.
I agree with Charles...if you really think this guy's an ass then stop writing about him all together. Dont' give him any more free publicity, because in the end it only helps his career because then more people will know who he is. (And I'm also talking to Norm Clarke, Richard and any other columnists that choose to write about this egotistical ass. Enough. He doesn't deserve it, if he continues to act like a jerk. I can see what little fame he has is already going to his head. So stop.
I like your threat better, Sherman. It reminds me of Faye Dunaway's comment in Chinatown; "I don't get tough. My lawyer does."
I think it is funny that Norm is referred to as a celebrity journalist. Doesn't he pull his news off the ticker. Most of the time he is dead wrong and doesn't check the sources of his sightings- he just prints whatever people email to him. I have proof of this. When I was 21 he wrote a nasty article about me, which shows up on Google to this day. He failed to write in the article that I worked with him and Michael Boychuck on a feature for Kristen Dunst at Canyon Ranch Spa (his archives can prove this). He tried to make me out to be a liar and he was abusive with me when I called him back after the story he wrote about me printed, and was construed negatively about me. I to this day have every single celebrity contract / comp from when I was at Canyon Ranch and had my own PR company.
Chris Angel may be no Angel, but Norm is worse. Someone even sent me an email he sent to them about me saying I was trying to get my name in the paper. Why? Why would I want to be in his stringer-like column again? He isn't a celebrity writer, he scoops off of the TMZ website, and he exaggerates the truth. If anyone wanted publicity off of this story - it is Norm... By the way doesn't he have a book coming out soon?
Chris Angel may be no Angel, but Norm is worse. Someone even sent me an email he sent to them about me saying I was trying to get my name in the paper. Why? Why would I want to be in his stringer-like column again? He isn't a celebrity writer, he scoops off of the TMZ website, and he exaggerates the truth. If anyone wanted publicity off of this story - it is Norm... By the way doesn't he have a book coming out soon?
Criss Angel a Las Vegas has been? How about Criss Angel is a Las Vegas NEVER WAS! As someone in the industry I am so tired of his "magic" which is nothing more than special effects and editing and using plants in his show. Cirque du Soleil is usually not such a foolish company in starting a new show. A 10 year deal? Are you kidding me? In sports you have stories like Ryan Leaf. A highly immature man paid millions more than he is worth and he became what? The next big thing? NO! He became such an overblown ego case that he self-destructed and faded from the scene far before his overpaid contract expired.
Good luck Cirque! You may want to start the help wanted ads:
"MAGICIAN WANTED for major production show at the Luxor. Requirements: Talent, knowledge of actual magic, and the ability to charm an audience through humility so as to encourage massive repeat business. We already found out our show won't work without those elements."
Good luck Cirque! You may want to start the help wanted ads:
"MAGICIAN WANTED for major production show at the Luxor. Requirements: Talent, knowledge of actual magic, and the ability to charm an audience through humility so as to encourage massive repeat business. We already found out our show won't work without those elements."
Negative garbage and gossip!
Chris Angel is the BIGGEST DORK in Vegas! And everyone in "the know" knows it! He looks like he came right out of a 1980's Bon Jovi video. Why are all these magcians dorks..they all have really bad hair.. is that part of being a Magician??? Cant they magically get style. Coperfield lurks around like he is living a real life D&D fantasy. Luxor a white trash Mecca trying to be cool should boot Chris and let him open at EXCALIBER..and do we really need another stupid Cirque Show?? Another SHOW by DRAGONE! lol..that is sooo lame! Are they serious?? I know alot of people who love NORM. Watch out Chris we are coming for you.. and we will gladly make you disappear! POOF! TA DAH!
Chris Angel should change his name to FRUIT PIE THE MAGICIAN! This guy is the biggest idiot to walk around in Vegas. Whenever my friends and I see him out we point and laugh. His show is terrible.. and lame. Another Loser for the LUXOR. He should have been the lead in HairSpray with that Mullet he sports. Wow, Luxor Loses Company Bistro, Cathouse is Lame, L.A.X is lame in L.A. and getting lame here..well I guess thats what you get when you build a cheesy pyramid in the desert.. you get a cheesy act like Angel..two steps back Vegas. Kick this guy back to Fresno or whereever lame 1980's hair rockers come from.
Kudos to the R-J for calling a clown a clown. Criss Angel started out as a talented magician with a bright future. He has evolved into an egotistical jack-ass with no class. No one is perfect. But Angel is taking imperfection to new heights. He is rude, crass, and lately, overrated. If his attitude is "an act" he is dire need of more acting lessons. His fifteen minutes of fame were up a long time ago and no one bothered to tell him. If he actually thinks that this behavior of his is going to bring more people to his shows at Luxor, he better think again. I was looking forward to his opening, but now, I won't even bother to spend my money to go see him. The more I read about him in print the less respect I have for him. If I want class I will go down the street and see Lance Burton's show. For trash, I can see the dumpsters behind Luxor for free.
It is time for Criss to act his age -- which means acting like an adult instead of some punk kid. He is lucky that he has something going on in his life like a show in Vegas. Furthermore he needs to get rid of all the "hangers-on" who are there for the free ride (which includes more than one girlfriend)-- kind of like Spears right?
Grow up Criss before your career goes down the toilet -- you are not a rock star, you are a magician.
Grow up Criss before your career goes down the toilet -- you are not a rock star, you are a magician.
That's it? "Any future act"... "will not be tolerated"? Answer a threat with a threat? Now you're just creating publicity for both of you. Take some action or shut up.
If you are going to be in the public eye, be prepared to deal with the media - positive or negative. Since Criss is adored by teenagers, I don't think he understands the impact of his behavior. The secret to life is not what happens to us, but how we react to it.
OK, Let's be serious: Criss Angel is, was and will continue to be a marginal "name" in the magic business. Norm? At best is a glorified stringer. He, Robin Leach, Michael Politz, Xania Woodman all didn't know how to make it here to hang with the beautiful people, so they WRITE about them and get press themselves. Las Vegas needs to grow up and act like a cosmopolitan city. Talent should not be treated like gods and neither should these hack reporters. Enough.
Chris who?
If Cirque and Criss Angel buy extra advertising space in the RJ all will be forgotten without a word being spoken and Norm and every other reporter will have anything negative about Criss edited out of their column. That's how things are done here in Vegas. There is no such thing as journalistic integrity if it affects advertising dollars in the publishing industry.
His girlfriend just wasn't hot enough to make the final 15. Next time he should go after a hotter babe -- He has only himself to blame -- bad taste... just look at his clothes. ;-)
hahahaha ... nobody told one of you that you should not judge over somebody if you don`t know both sides of the story?
only because newspaper writing stories it doesn`t mean that all is real ... i really wanna know criss' side of the story. maybe it wasn`t that bad like everyone is writing it. small rumours grow fast - and most of it isn`t even true.
and i NEVER heard about the story that criss put jim callahan into hospital. (or tried to ... don`t know) what is that about?
i`m glad, that criss has an upcoming show in las vegas - and his mindfreak show. at least he is doing something for his money, instead of other people (or so-called celebrities) who are getting money for doing nothing.
so leave criss alone - you don`t know him, so don`t judge over him. and don`t be jealous, that`s not good.
only because newspaper writing stories it doesn`t mean that all is real ... i really wanna know criss' side of the story. maybe it wasn`t that bad like everyone is writing it. small rumours grow fast - and most of it isn`t even true.
and i NEVER heard about the story that criss put jim callahan into hospital. (or tried to ... don`t know) what is that about?
i`m glad, that criss has an upcoming show in las vegas - and his mindfreak show. at least he is doing something for his money, instead of other people (or so-called celebrities) who are getting money for doing nothing.
so leave criss alone - you don`t know him, so don`t judge over him. and don`t be jealous, that`s not good.
me again. forgot something. like someone here mentioned already:
you saying bad things about criss behavior and that he threaten somebody. but with the last sentence you are threaten somebody too - criss.
so you are not better.
you saying bad things about criss behavior and that he threaten somebody. but with the last sentence you are threaten somebody too - criss.
so you are not better.
why got i deleted?
again:
with the last sentence you are threating criss too - so you are not better. think about it ...
again:
with the last sentence you are threating criss too - so you are not better. think about it ...
why got i deleted?
again:
with the last sentence you are threating criss too - so you are not better. think about it ...
again:
with the last sentence you are threating criss too - so you are not better. think about it ...
Ummm, this is a middle class guy is from Long Island, and is a complete poser. Having a personal trainer does not make one a dangerous fighter. Anyone who gets threatened by such a "man" should take up the challenge, and see the pathetic Long Islander (there are so many poser tough guys from this region) run behind security.
Criss Angel: Idiotfreak
Criss Angel: Egofreak
Criss Angel: Whinyassbabyfreak
Criss Angel: Egofreak
Criss Angel: Whinyassbabyfreak
I USE TO BE A REALLY BIG CRISS FAN. BUT NOW IS HE ACTING LIKE AN ASS STOP MAKING A FOOL OUT OF YOUR SELF CRISS
As a magician AND someone who has to wear and eye patch, I find this to be very insulting and tactless of Angels part. Whatever respect I may have had for him before, is now gone.
I have no respect for people like Norm who try to make a buck by slandering others.If everything happened the way Norm says,there would be pics all over the internet the way paps follow him around.No way he made a spectable of himself at the pageant,for sure there would be pics of that.I read somewhere else that the alleged contestant he asked to move said it never happened.And the judge incident had to have been blown way out of proportion because she posed for pics with criss after the pageant at lax nightclub a week after the alleged incident.If people like Norm try to ruin others careers by spreading gossip and rumors thier lucky worse things dont happen than getting yelled at.I believe criss is harmless as well as his"hangers-on".
mimi talks about people who don't listen to both sides of a story...well, Criss Angel allowed one of his most devoted fans to be banned from his fan club just on what one of his employees told him...the girl he has running his myspace page. The fan was accused of selling pre-sale tickets when all she was doing was arranging, thru Cirque, to make a large group purchase when tickets were on sale. She was doing absolutely nothing wrong, but did Criss bother to hear her side of the story? Nope. This lady has done nothing but support his sorry ass for years, sometimes standing around for hours waiting for him to show up for a demo, and this is how he thanks her. He is one good illusionist, though...he's fooled a lot of people into believing he's a decent, caring person and that's his biggest illusion ever. He's lost a lot of fans since his true colors have been coming out. I feel for the youngsters who idolizes him.
mimi,
Proposing legal action is not a threat. Saying you will put someone's eye out is. Saying you will not tolerate being threatened is also not a threat. Although when someone proposes legal action against you, you may feel "threatened" because you know you are wrong, it is still none the less, not a threat in any legal sense of the word. It is in fact the way civilized people handle disputes, not by threatening violence. Criss Angel is "master of nothing" in his own words.
Proposing legal action is not a threat. Saying you will put someone's eye out is. Saying you will not tolerate being threatened is also not a threat. Although when someone proposes legal action against you, you may feel "threatened" because you know you are wrong, it is still none the less, not a threat in any legal sense of the word. It is in fact the way civilized people handle disputes, not by threatening violence. Criss Angel is "master of nothing" in his own words.
@me on sunday
but maybe he didn`t say something like: "i puke your eye out!" nobody of the posters here were there at the event. so we can never know what has been made up and what happenend really.
only because newspaper are writing stuff doesn`t mean that it is 100 % true.
but maybe he didn`t say something like: "i puke your eye out!" nobody of the posters here were there at the event. so we can never know what has been made up and what happenend really.
only because newspaper are writing stuff doesn`t mean that it is 100 % true.
You can just tell Chriss must have been a huge nerd in high school. What is with the clothes? Hey Chriss, you have to actually be tough, to dress tough. He looks like a Marilyn Manson wannabe. But, I see him in lot's of photos with hot chicks. Are girls that desperate to be seen with a "celebrity"?
WHY IS ANYONE SURPRISED? When Criss Angel started out and was a nothing and married, his wife was supporting his magic until he "made it." The second he started to get big he was hanging out with starlets and other "groupie" types. His wife gave up a lot and was his support. After he became big he would spend less than 5% of his time with her, according to her family members. Finally, she filed for divorce. If he BAILED on his wife who helped him get to where he is the second he got his fame...well would you expect anything less from this guy???
One of these days, young Mr. Angel will speak that way to the wrong person. He might do well to remember how Houdini eventually bought it.
I FEEL SORRY FOR JOANNE SHE HELPED CRISS HER HUSDAND NOW HE IS WITH ALL THE GIRLS WNO ARE HALF HIS AGE HE IS ACTING LIKE A WISEASS COOL IT CRISS BEFORE YOU ARE ALL GONE BYE BYE POOF
Sounds like Vegas party life style has gotten to Mr Angel. In other words I think he's on drugs as his erratic behaviour would suggest
I SAW CRISS ON LARRY KIBG A FEW MOBTHS AGO AND HEB TOLD KING THAT HE HAD NO PERSONAL LIFE THAT HE DIDNT HAVE TIME FOR IT NOW I SEE PHOTOS OF HIM WITH WOMEN HUGGUNG AND KISSING THEM I THIBK HE IS WITH VERONICA NOW WHAT HAPPENDED TO MAKE HIM START TO HAVE A PERSONAL LIFE NOW? IT LOOKS LIKE CRISS TELLS LIES AND TRYS TO GET EVERYONE TO BELIEVE HE DOES NOTHING BUT WORK 24/7 I THINK HE SHOULD WATCH WHAT HE SAYS TO THE PUBLIC OR HE MAY GO BYE BYE!
a word to kip winger are you the guy who was in the 80s group Winger? If you are you were great in your music and you were hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot!
Criss must remember one thing. The media built him up and they can tear him down.
COME ON CRISS ACT LIKE A GENTELMAN THAT YOU YOU ARE SUPOSSED TO BE THATS HOW YOU ACT ON MINDFREAK OR IT JUST A ACT? LET THE PUBLIC KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE CRISS AND HIS MINDFREAK SHOW I HOPE THAT HELL DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST THESE CHARGES SO WE WILL FIND OUT WHATS THE TRUTH I HOPE HE IS AS KIND AS I THINK HE IS GO CRISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bring back the mafia and crap like Angel wouldn't be tolerated. Las Vegas used to be a class act. Somewhere the chairman of the board is rolling over in his grave.
I suppose if you had cameras shoved up your ass 24 hours a day 7 days a week that maybe your so called perfect lives wouldnt seem so perfect also...difference is no ones following you around 24/7 with a camera snappin pics of you beating your wives or picking your ass or playing pocket pool...and that is what people forget stars arent gods their human even Christ was human and may i add to the record even christ flipped out and kicked over tables in the temple...ones talent and ones private life are two totally different things...so if the paparatzi and nosey reporters kept those seperate then i suppose the enquirer would be out of business and alot of lives wouldnt be ruined...maybe the stars should start following around the paparatzi and reporters 24/7 with cameras exposing there skeletons in there closets...ouch im sure there would be alot of lawsuits and divorce courts...
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