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Anthony Del Valle - Theater Critic 
ENTERTAINMENT: Criss Angel and Norm: The Gravity of the Matter
Steve Friess, the freelancer who keeps an eye on the rest of us ink-stained wretches, thinks we were remiss in writing about the few details being coughed up about the new Criss Angel/Cirque du Soleil production instead of asking Angel about the tantrum he unleashed on R-J columnist Norm Clarke: http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/
Friess is watching Norm’s back. He’s concerned that Angel exerts a Manson-like control over “thousands of rabid goth-crazed followers (who) can cause serious harm.” He compares Angel’s threat to put out Norm’s good eye to the federal indictment (the one that eventually led to prison) which forced Martha Stewart’s morning show hosts to interrupt her cabbage-chopping with questions about inside trading, and he says I should have sidetracked the media day with Angel and his Cirque collaborators accordingly.
Norm is on vacation this week, but assures us via phone that Angel’s locker room trash talk doesn’t worry him. Norm is, after all, the guy who once got locker room-flattened by Tom Seaver and slapped by Pete Rose. He doesn’t seem to find a spoiled magician as dangerous as organized mobsters, the way Friess seems to. Former R-J entertainment columnist Michael Paskevich and I always reminded each other that if performers who are solvent and not in bankruptcy court take a swing at us, "Lay down and stay down."
The real issue is character. Of course, everyone is waiting to find out if Angel will self-destruct or live up to his role as the centerpiece of a $100 million show that is the biggest, riskiest entertainment gamble this year (and hence, the subject of our “embarrassing puff piece”). Norm points out that Angel keeps the question very much alive by not using the next red-carpet opportunity to say, “That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done; of course I didn’t mean it.” His Cirque collaborators and Luxor brass might be a little nervous about this.
But while we all wait and wonder, should we not cover the show the same as we would any other show-business venture of comparable investment just because its star insulted our columnist?
This blog is interactive, so tell us if we missed the boat.
Friess is watching Norm’s back. He’s concerned that Angel exerts a Manson-like control over “thousands of rabid goth-crazed followers (who) can cause serious harm.” He compares Angel’s threat to put out Norm’s good eye to the federal indictment (the one that eventually led to prison) which forced Martha Stewart’s morning show hosts to interrupt her cabbage-chopping with questions about inside trading, and he says I should have sidetracked the media day with Angel and his Cirque collaborators accordingly.Norm is on vacation this week, but assures us via phone that Angel’s locker room trash talk doesn’t worry him. Norm is, after all, the guy who once got locker room-flattened by Tom Seaver and slapped by Pete Rose. He doesn’t seem to find a spoiled magician as dangerous as organized mobsters, the way Friess seems to. Former R-J entertainment columnist Michael Paskevich and I always reminded each other that if performers who are solvent and not in bankruptcy court take a swing at us, "Lay down and stay down."
The real issue is character. Of course, everyone is waiting to find out if Angel will self-destruct or live up to his role as the centerpiece of a $100 million show that is the biggest, riskiest entertainment gamble this year (and hence, the subject of our “embarrassing puff piece”). Norm points out that Angel keeps the question very much alive by not using the next red-carpet opportunity to say, “That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done; of course I didn’t mean it.” His Cirque collaborators and Luxor brass might be a little nervous about this.
But while we all wait and wonder, should we not cover the show the same as we would any other show-business venture of comparable investment just because its star insulted our columnist?
This blog is interactive, so tell us if we missed the boat.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, May. 21, 2008 at 04:54 PM
and is filed under Vegas Voice.
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to "ENTERTAINMENT: Criss Angel and Norm: The Gravity of the Matter"
mike, i've always liked your work very much and i even met you at the chips collectibles convention when you spoke. but i have to agree with freiss on this one. I don't think you should be letting people like criss angel use you in this way. i almost wonder if you didn't ask BECAUSE you were afraid he might throw a tantrum at you or no longer give you quotes. That would mean that his threats and outlandish behavior have succeeded in muting reporters. Just a thought.
I personally think too much is being made about Criss' "supposed bad behavior" and not enough about the show that will be premiering in September. How many celebrities have done and said something stupid in their careers? Too many to mention! Its my opinion that Criss is being treated differently than any of those. He never laid on a hand on anyone and as for what he said, we only have the reporter's story that it even occurred. It appears that its Norm Clarke's intention to use his pen and others that seem to have his back to make Criss appear to be a gamble that Cirque should not take. I guess most people have forgotten or aren't even aware, that this isn't Criss' first experience with a live show. He had his own show on Broadway back in 2002 and it was a huge success. It irks me that comments are made alluding to the fact that Criss will "back out" or "give up" on the show. Give up and quit are not words that are in Criss' vocabulary so for the naysayers and critics that are waiting for Criss to throw his hands up and throw away a 15 year dream, you better pack a lunch because it ain't gonna happen!
Please treat Criss and his upcoming show with the same amount of courtesy that you would any other show in Vegas. Don't keep harping on what he "supposedly" said or did!
Please treat Criss and his upcoming show with the same amount of courtesy that you would any other show in Vegas. Don't keep harping on what he "supposedly" said or did!
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