Best of Episodes - Casino Comedy & Magic with Mark Kornhauser
I'm currently taking a holiday break from my regularly scheduled episodes, so for the next few weeks, I'm\xa0running my\xa0six most downloaded episodes. I'll be back on the first of the year with brand new episodes! In the mean time, enjoy these "Best of" episodes.
\nMark Kornhauser's\xa0interview is my\xa0most downloaded episode of all time! In this episode,\xa0we talk about his career in magic, what it takes to perform in casino showrooms, his successes, challenges, and how hard work really pays off.
\nMark Kornhauser is one of the most successful comedy acts in the world boasting 25 years plus, consistently performing in and producing shows in the most prestigious casinos in Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City. We\u2019re talkin\u2019 Harrahs, Planet Hollywood, Mandalay Bay, Flamingo, Tropicana, and Hilton, just to name a few.
\nHe\u2019s opened for more than a few top name entertainers like Tom Jones, Elvis Costello, Frankie Valli, Terry\xa0Fator, David Letterman, and Tim Allen.
\nHe\u2019s also been featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Masters of Illusion, NBC, FOX, Comedy Central, and HBO.
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\nSuccess Mantra:\nHard work, clean living.
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\nWorking in Casinos:\n\u2022 Fitting into a time slot
\n\u2022 How the casino venue has changed:\xa0catering more toward headliners than variety entertainers
\n\u2022 How he stays in the game: develops and grows new material \u2022 Mistakes he sees people make in the casino market
\n\u2022 What he sees as the future of performing in casinos
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\nFailure Moment:\nDid a Le P\xe9tomane (flatulence) act\xa0that initially bombed.
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\nFavorite Success:\nHis current act with his dog Zsa Zsa.
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\nHow Does Mark Differentiate Himself?\nMakes his act vastly different from anyone else.
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\nWhat's Worked Well for Mark's Business?\nMaintaining relationships with clients.
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\nInteresting Story from His Career\nListen in to what happened when Mark ran into James Brown at a bathroom sink.
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\nWhat's Been Mark's Biggest Professional Challenge?\nStaying through the difficult times
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022\xa0Success and how it's different for each person.
\n\u2022\xa0Talks about how Doug Henning played a part in his journey.
\n\u2022\xa0Listening to your audience.
\n\u2022\xa0Talks about his inspiration and creative process.
\n\u2022\xa0Gives us\xa0his take on magic on TV.
\n\u2022\xa0You can no longer be an "expensive act," but you can be a "cheap show."
\n\u2022\xa0Tells about his column in Magic Magazine.
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\nParting advice:\nHard work, clean living. And courage.
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!
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\nResources
\nHave a place to collect your thoughts. Also, keep a lookout for a compilation of all of his articles from Magic Magazine.
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\nMagic Books
\nHiding the Elephant:\xa0How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear\xa0by\xa0Jim Steinmeyer
\nThe Glorious Deception: The Double Life of William Robinson, Aka Chung Ling Soo\xa0by\xa0Jim Steinmeyer
\nThe Last Greatest Magician in the World: Howard Thurston Versus Houdini & the Battles of the American Wizards\xa0by\xa0Jim Steinmeyer
\nOur Magic\xa0by\xa0Nevil Maskelyne
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\nOther\xa0Books
\nWhack to the Side of the Head\xa0by\xa0Roger von Oech
\nKick to the Seat of the Pants\xa0by\xa0Roger von Oech
\nWhack Pack\xa0by\xa0Roger von Oech
\nThe Artist's Way\xa0by\xa0Julia Cameron
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\nWhere can we find Mark Kornhauser?\nMark's\xa0Website \xa0