Is Jerry Sadowitz really a genius?
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Is Jerry Sadowitz really a genius?
by Shimada » Mar 2nd, '10, 20:40
Magic and comedy have always interested me and so as I am in London for a few weeks for work I have bought a ticket to see Jerry Sadowitz on Thursday night and I see he is co-hosting a night in the same venue in a few weeks with various magicians performing. The term \"Genius\" has been applied to Jerry Sadowitz repeatedly and I am not sure if they are referring to his skill as a magician or comic. Is he really a genius?
Last edited by Shimada on Mar 16th, '10, 22:12, edited 2 times in total.
- Shimada
by babyshanks » Mar 2nd, '10, 20:57
He comes across as a very sour and bitter person, some believe within reason, and others, obviously, disagree. Those who believe do so because he repeatedly states that a lot of his effects/ideas are stolen from him and sold on as original ideas, with no credit given.
Understandably this would make you pretty pee'd off, and no one really knows if his ideas are stolen or if they are genuine mistakes.
One of the most recent was a run in between Mr Sadowitz and Benjamin Earl, where Jerry claimed that one of his effects was stolen and sold on on Bens DVD set. A big argument errupted, some are on Jerry's side but I think most are on Bens.
Just a quick look on his website and you can find him offending most of the public, as well as one magician in particular!
On the genius note, if so much of your work has been stolen, surely it's a sign that you must be doing some influential?
Understandably this would make you pretty pee'd off, and no one really knows if his ideas are stolen or if they are genuine mistakes.
One of the most recent was a run in between Mr Sadowitz and Benjamin Earl, where Jerry claimed that one of his effects was stolen and sold on on Bens DVD set. A big argument errupted, some are on Jerry's side but I think most are on Bens.
Just a quick look on his website and you can find him offending most of the public, as well as one magician in particular!
On the genius note, if so much of your work has been stolen, surely it's a sign that you must be doing some influential?
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by Klangster1971 » Mar 2nd, '10, 21:48
As Iain said above, Jerry is very well studied. He's an avid book reader and can pretty much tell you where to find any trick in any card book ever published.
He's a really nice guy, in person and always happy to offer advice and support to magicians. I think he may have some bitterness, which to my mind is perfectly understandable - you look at someone like Frankie Boyle and they are lauded for their cutting edge/take no prisoners approach to comedy where nothing is sacred. Jerry has been doing that for 20 years and has nothing to show for it but a cancelled TV show. So it's not suprising if he has some resentment when he's sees other not just following a trail that he blazed but literally lifting his act and persona wholesale and making a fortune out of it.
In terms of his genius, I first came across him when I was about 18 year old in a comedy club and it was like nothing I'd ever seen. Years later, it was Jerry that got me into magic (I was a late starter!) when I saw him behind the counter in IM and went in to make sure it really was him. He sold me my first trick (Vanishing Deck) and the rest is history. I really think he is a comedic genius - his mind works lightning fast and he usually can articulate his thoughts into a wickedly funny (if offensive) line almost instantly. Naturally, this isn't always that case and sometime you might find that some of the gags fall flat or seem half baked; a bit like Keith Moon's drumming - the best in the world when they're on form
Enjoy the show on Thursday - and don't take offence to anything Jerry says. He might well mean it... but he doesn't necessarily want you to agree with him (in fact, he'd probably be mortified if you did!)
Sean
He's a really nice guy, in person and always happy to offer advice and support to magicians. I think he may have some bitterness, which to my mind is perfectly understandable - you look at someone like Frankie Boyle and they are lauded for their cutting edge/take no prisoners approach to comedy where nothing is sacred. Jerry has been doing that for 20 years and has nothing to show for it but a cancelled TV show. So it's not suprising if he has some resentment when he's sees other not just following a trail that he blazed but literally lifting his act and persona wholesale and making a fortune out of it.
In terms of his genius, I first came across him when I was about 18 year old in a comedy club and it was like nothing I'd ever seen. Years later, it was Jerry that got me into magic (I was a late starter!) when I saw him behind the counter in IM and went in to make sure it really was him. He sold me my first trick (Vanishing Deck) and the rest is history. I really think he is a comedic genius - his mind works lightning fast and he usually can articulate his thoughts into a wickedly funny (if offensive) line almost instantly. Naturally, this isn't always that case and sometime you might find that some of the gags fall flat or seem half baked; a bit like Keith Moon's drumming - the best in the world when they're on form
Enjoy the show on Thursday - and don't take offence to anything Jerry says. He might well mean it... but he doesn't necessarily want you to agree with him (in fact, he'd probably be mortified if you did!)
Sean
I know the difference between tempting and choosing my fate
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Klangster1971 - Senior Member
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by IAIN » Mar 2nd, '10, 22:18
he can be his own worst enemy too i reckon...
i admire his sticking to his guns though, he could play the game, tone down some of his ways of being - get a tv show...he could do that easily...once its a hit, and it would be - he'd then have the power to do what he genuinely wanted instead...
i admire his sticking to his guns though, he could play the game, tone down some of his ways of being - get a tv show...he could do that easily...once its a hit, and it would be - he'd then have the power to do what he genuinely wanted instead...
- IAIN
by Shimada » Mar 2nd, '10, 23:23
Anyone can have a high IQ, I'm talking about genius in these terms:
Genius is a person, a body of work, or a singular achievement of surpassing excellence. More than just originality, creativity, or intelligence, genius is associated with achievement of insight which has transformational power. A work of genius fundamentally alters the expectations of its audience. Genius may be generalized, or be particular to a discrete field such as sports, statesmanship, science, or art.
(Wikipedia)
Looking at that I'd actually say that Jerry does fit the bill rather nicely, however perhaps in terms of his comedy at least his time time real transformational influance is now over, however I will know better tomorrow. I cannot comment on his magic as I don't know enough about it but it has always been stunning to my eyes.
Genius is a person, a body of work, or a singular achievement of surpassing excellence. More than just originality, creativity, or intelligence, genius is associated with achievement of insight which has transformational power. A work of genius fundamentally alters the expectations of its audience. Genius may be generalized, or be particular to a discrete field such as sports, statesmanship, science, or art.
(Wikipedia)
Looking at that I'd actually say that Jerry does fit the bill rather nicely, however perhaps in terms of his comedy at least his time time real transformational influance is now over, however I will know better tomorrow. I cannot comment on his magic as I don't know enough about it but it has always been stunning to my eyes.
- Shimada
by Tomo » Mar 2nd, '10, 23:38
IAIN wrote:Tomo wrote:Get over this "genius" label. It just means someone with an IQ over 140.
thats a very literally meaning though, tomo...
and also quite surprising...my IQ is over that...it means next to f-all!
Exactly. So's mine.
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by Lenoir » Mar 2nd, '10, 23:59
He has great card magic, he is a good comedian and a true lover of magic. There is no need to give him a generic title like genius. He is talented.
"I want to do magic...but I don't want to be referred to as a magician." - A layman chatting to me about magic.
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by Shimada » Mar 3rd, '10, 00:05
IAIN wrote:i think in this case, about Jerry, we're discussing "creative genius" rather than the actual IQ rating of the guy....
That's exactly what I am asking, to be honest from my meeting with him he came across as a little naive in many ways and not at all street wise. So if he is indeed a genius it is only in terms of his specialist areas of comedy and magic which is more than most can lay claim to!
- Shimada
by TonyB » Mar 3rd, '10, 01:10
Jerry is a deeply offensive and extremely funny comedian. As a comic he is right up there with the best of the best. I haven't seen his magic, but I gather it is very good.
I have met him on a few occasions, and in person he comes across as a very nice, decent man, and very generous with his knowledge.
I don't think the term genius can be applied to performers; I would take the word to be a deisgnation of intellectual excellence, and it is the wrong word to use for a magician.
I have met him on a few occasions, and in person he comes across as a very nice, decent man, and very generous with his knowledge.
I don't think the term genius can be applied to performers; I would take the word to be a deisgnation of intellectual excellence, and it is the wrong word to use for a magician.
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