Price$20.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up, Mentalism, Comedy
Date AddedNov 24, 2008
What Your Future Holds
Rich Marotta
(Based on 4 reviews)
"A subtle set up with a super socko, surprise finish!" - Daryl
"Hilarious" - Bob Sheets
"You'll get lucky doing this effect." - Simon Lovell
Reviews
(Top ▲)
That was one funny show. He's clever, witty, and just darn funny. So imagine my disappointment when I got What Your Future Holds. The effect is that the spectator chooses one of 12 possible options for her future. Her final choice is read, "You will make passionate love to a clown." When she looks up, you are wearing a clown nose. Ok, maybe it's a funny site gag . . . maybe; the jury is still out.
Check out the clip in the product description above to see for yourself.
I will admit that in the video clip he does something kind of funny at the end that I won't spoil for you. For $20 bucks you get a clown nose, 1 sheet of paper instructions, and 12 cards that have the "possible futures."
The cards are purple with sort of a red border and a "fun" font which, in my opinion, makes them look like cheap magic store props. You can of course make your own cards with blank stock playing cards or even business cards, a simple idea that should have been mentioned in the instructions but wasn't. Also, the instructions had some pretty blatant typos and grammar errors.
Part of the lack of appeal of this effect is the "You will make love . . . " part of the effect. Although, strictly speaking, it's not "blue," it is a bit tacky in my opinion. You can't (or shouldn't) use a line like that (even as a joke) in front of kids that may be present at a restaurant gig. I wouldn't recommend performing it when husbands/boyfriends are present. Finally, even if the girl you perform it for is single and available, this routine feels more like a desperate attempt to get the proverbial "some" rather than an attempt at humor.
Finally, Rich suggests you start off with the old Bugs Bunny joke, "Do you want your palm read?" Then you use a red marker to color her palm . . . get it; palm red. Of course he suggests keeping a wet wipe handy and using a dry erase marker so that it's easily cleaned up. To me it's just rude, and starts things off on the wrong foot.
Sorry Rich. You're a darn funny guy and a heck of an entertainer, but this effect is not evidence of the comedic genius that I feel you truly are.
The only reason I can think of that might make this worth purchasing is the fact that you could modify the routine and the concept and apply it to a different effect with a different site gag at the end. It might even be ok if the prediction said, "You will meet a brilliant and handsome clown" or something like that. In that case, it may be worth it.
One final comment: This is merely my opinion based on my experience and my style. I recognize that this might be the perfect thing for some of you, but at least now you know what you're getting.
One final final comment: Obviously, anyone who has been in magic for even a few months could reconstruct this routine after seeing it once.
Based on that and some of the suggestions I've made about making your own cards, etc, it would be real easy for you to go make your own set for your own act without purchasing this from Rich.
However, please show some respect for Rich and purchase the product before making a knock-off for your own act.
(Top ▲)
I must disagree with my fellow reviewers. I love this effect. It's great for those intimate, one on one situations when performing in a restaurant or bar (or house party) where there are plenty of ladies to entertain. I work a couple of local bars and I use a mix of different effects, both funny and not, but this one always gets a great response.
The routine can be altered to fit any performers style. You get everything you need to perform the effect, cards, clown nose and detailed instructions, but this is a no brainer to learn and execute.
You WILL get laughs! The only problem I have with it is the price. It just seems too high for what you get.
All in all, this is a great effect with a funny surprise ending. If you are a comedy magician, working in a close up situation, you want this in your repertiore.
The routine can be altered to fit any performers style. You get everything you need to perform the effect, cards, clown nose and detailed instructions, but this is a no brainer to learn and execute.
You WILL get laughs! The only problem I have with it is the price. It just seems too high for what you get.
All in all, this is a great effect with a funny surprise ending. If you are a comedy magician, working in a close up situation, you want this in your repertiore.
(Top ▲)
I too love this trick! I will agree with a bit of Jeff's review in that some of Rich's lines are not for everyone but will disagree in that there's not necessarily a need to make your own cards as it is a comedy routine. Though I do love the idea of changing the cards, an idea I like even better is adding to them making a second set with a pirate theme and wearing both the nose and an eye patch as most spectators want you to do it again. I have also toyed around with idea of adding a third phase to it and making it a positive non-comedic ending but have yet to come up with a worthy idea. In live performance (I've performed this hundreds of times) I find that asking who would like to have their future foretold lessens the blue humor and if a male responds actually heightens it! the only reason why I don't give this a 5 is because I only use this in certain situations I didn't like the case the cards came in as it would not also hold the nose without bending the cards and to keep from losing the nose I like to keep them together.
(Top ▲)
I absolutely love performing this effect!!
It is a simple to use, follow, comedy mind reading effect with a hilarious finale.
And you get all of this for the measly price of $20.
It may not appeal to the serious mentalist but If you like something that takes up very little room in your pockets, resets instantly and gets a great laugh then this is for you.
It is not a stand alone effect but will fit nicely into any mentalism act as a piece of light relief.
It is a simple to use, follow, comedy mind reading effect with a hilarious finale.
And you get all of this for the measly price of $20.
It may not appeal to the serious mentalist but If you like something that takes up very little room in your pockets, resets instantly and gets a great laugh then this is for you.
It is not a stand alone effect but will fit nicely into any mentalism act as a piece of light relief.