Magician REACTS to Keith Kong on Penn and Teller FOOL US 2020

[@JasonParkerMagic]

1) How did you enjoy Keith Kong's performance? Very fooling and an interesting presentation as well! 👍 2) Learn how to make the IMPOSSIBLE CARD I showed you here ➠ PATREON: www.patreon.com/JasonParker

[@xTheHunterDjx]

It is possible he forces the answer with a couple things around hims, like the words he uses when he speaks and one important thing are the images on the list of songs, they are musical instruments, trumpet, drum, guitar, and usually with the other don't you don't think of those instruments, but with old McDonald, a country side song they come to mind naturally.

[@adarsh.b3047]

It was a really simple and clean performance.....well i probably think the platinum disk in the frame could be rotated you know..some how and then the correct song can be displayed...its could be a really good mechanism inside ......... just a guess.............🤔🤔🤔😅

[@skavies2351]

My guess is he had all the songs on that list able to be played and had a magnetic ring inside that frame that would let him change the exposed card by maybe pushing at a certain spot so the ring is free wheeling and using a magnet ring to actually spin it to the correct exposed card, because he gave that to them before they guessed how he did it, so the ability to change the card with the prediction had to be not visible to Penn and Teller.

[@gilsonleandroalves]

@@mikeonthebox yea Jason, tell us, please

[@ghost8982]

My guess is a true mentalism trick usually done with cards. Very very risky. I guess if your on p&t its go big or go home. It's a visual and psychological force. Take 7 cards all different suits but all odds with 1 even thrown off center. Humans generally will pick in the middle but off center. And the even is the odd one out. J♧3♡9◇K♤6◇5♤A♧ as an example. 7 cards is odd. Odd numbers is odd. So the odd one out is the 6. Our minds generally gravitate toward patterns. But we would never pick dead middle because we think that would be to easy. There are 4 songs on the list that start with a vowel. He said pick something he would know. She went to the middle and without knowing it her mind was looking for the odd one out but easy to sing. Old McDonald is just below center and easy. Pause video on the list, close your eyes, repeat "pick a song" 3 times and pay attention where your eyes focus on first. 7 out of 10 people will look right at old mcd. Risky but it works. That's my guess. Its mentalism!

[@MarkNiceyard]

You may not belive how much I like that u sit aside when the show starts. It's such a deep understanding of presentation.

[@ShadowDatsas]

Penn is a musician for decades. Confidence aside, being a musician for such a long time makes saying yes to singing much easier.

[@maxshultz6502]

Yea, he did a tour of his in vegas where he talked about it.

[@SDesWriter]

Well, not if he can't carry a tune vocally. Being a musician does not mean you have any special ability to sing or even sing on pitch. given his gravely voice I wouldn't be surprised if he was kind of a terrible singer but there's no way to know without hearing him.

[@GrimlarLex]

I seem to recall that Penn did a trick with Piff where they were both dressed up in dragon suits and Penn sang a song.

[@thememaster7]

Playing a musical instrument has no effect on you caring or not caring about sounding like a strangled cat in front of everyone.

[@randombasicstuffsfornewbie7380]

On 05:13, you can see allison circled about upper part of the paper, even upper than the shaded drawing. Then the old macdonald is about at the middle. Im sure allison picked the twinkle2, thats why when the guy asked her, she answered "i would haved picked twinkle2". You can also notice allison blinked P n T before she came up to choose the song. Thats why P n T wanted to examine the paper, and allison said she is nervous when they took the paper. P n T knew that the force was on the paper but they didnt know what kind of force he used. Maybe the pen ink was blank and the pen he used to circle before he showed the paper has a delayed print. Idk. Even P n T dsnt know.

[@Kinkajou1015]

Around the time of Season 3 is when Penn went on a diet and lost 100 pounds in just a few months. So I can totally understand why that time could legitimately be a bit of a blur to him. Also, Season 3 was the first season with Alyson, perhaps changing up the host of the show caused things to go pear shaped for his memory.

[@FusionDeveloper]

Nobody ever wants to be deceived, we want to be astonished. He chose the wrong word.

[@ronpetersen2317]

Unfortunately some people want to be deceived ... just in politics rather than magic :(

[@FusionDeveloper]

@@ronpetersen2317 Yeah, I still can't understand that no matter how hard I try, but it's effortless to prove.

[@NetAndyCz]

People hate finding out they have been deceived. Being deceived usually does not bother them.

[@kongmentalist]

Great point! I think that some slight confusion may have come out of this because it was edited for time. The phrase that I had quoted (and would get tattooed) is actually a latin phrase that is, "Mundus Vult Decipi" but the part where I explain that was never shown. The direct translation of the phrase is, "The world wants to be deceived."

[@FusionDeveloper]

@@kongmentalist If your intention is to be edgy, then that's perfectly fine, but if your intention is to have a kind purely positive message, I don't think it's the right word, since it means "Swindle, defraud, cheat, trick, hoax, mislead, con, rip off, sucker.". Some people get a tattoo of a skeleton or skull and all kinds of stuff that isn't purely positive and there is nothing wrong with that, I just wanted to make sure the intention was to be edgy and not a misunderstanding. I love magic, but I don't love being scammed, but I suppose the message could be a conversation starter and lead to a reason to perform a magic trick for a stranger you otherwise wouldn't have talked to. . deliberately cause (someone) to believe something that is not true, especially for personal gain. "I didn't intend to deceive people into thinking it was French champagne" . Please do not let me influence you for getting or avoiding a tattoo. I only wanted to be sure the word was for the proper intention and not a misunderstanding.

[@kongmentalist]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the amazing feedback and a huge thanks to Jason for making this video! I think I'll jump onto the reaction-ception train and upload the video in the next few days! When I do that, I want to give you all as much background about the show as possible so I'm curious... What are the questions that I might be able to answer for you? Let me know by replying to this comment and/or by commenting on the Fool Us video on my channel and I'll do my best in the upcoming video. Thanks again! 🙂🙏🏼

[@Ratman90]

For me, just to categorically rule out Instant stooge (and presumably dismissing the theory that the circle is in different places). I think that would be good as lots of people guessing it and I think it's quite lazy and a bit of an insult to your craft. I think it adds to the mystery to rule out the basic theories

[@kongmentalist]

Thanks @@Ratman90, I can address these things 👍

[@RedMagicPrince]

I COULD GO WATCH THESE VIDEOS ALL ON MY OWN.. BUT I’D RATHER WATCH THEM WITH YOU GUYS FOR THE FIRST TIME... ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR PERSONALITY & CHANNEL 🎩⭐️

[@RedMagicPrince]

alphadawn2015 lennon - 😂😂 - 🖐🏽🖐🏽 “GUILTY”

[@francesbensink3186]

I’m a fan. I watch your videos before I go to sleep. Seem to have watched them all… Starting to rewatch now. You seem very chill & balanced. I like watching magic & being read to.

[@JasonParkerMagic]

Thanks very much Frances :) Really glad you enjoy the videos. you might even check out a few of my travel videos I did. I made a separate playlist on my channel for that... under the Playlists tab.

[@ahmedm6228]

Pre-show work is not allowed on Fool Us. Instant stooging is though. There might have been something on the paper that led Alyson to choose that specific song. If that's the case, then that thing must've been "removed" later.

[@admiralbiscuit9608]

I had flashbacks to Brian Williams performing 'Rapper's Delight' using short clips from his news broadcasts.

[@koopk1]

I think the fact that he had to "buy time" after the selection was made by repeating that allison could have chosen any song, and then playing a video has something to do with it.

[@stevemoreira-jones2108]

I see two methods: 1). It looks like Alison’s choice is about 1/4 of the way down the page. Not the one we see circled. I believe she actually chose Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The magician pretends she chose Old McDonald. That’s why she smiles knowingly when he says: “You could have chosen twinkle twinkle. The pen she used was disappearing ink. He used a thumb pen to circle Old McDonald before showing the choice to the camera. This technique is called Instant Stooge. 2). The panels on the record showing the farm and the title are actually e-ink. Which looks like real print on paper but can be changed to match the selected song.

[@hjs6102]

I agree with 1. Look at her reaction, when Teller picks up the list...

[@CommandoMaster]

I think you're right. It's not a force on Alyson, but just lying to her and she plays along.

[@Genesis--me8ud]

I hate it when magic involve the host or the audience and they’re all on it for the show sake

[@PatrickGregoire]

Penn does sing in one episode, in a trick they did with Piff the Magic Dragon at the end of one of the episodes

[@jirenthegrey1333]

Everybody knows the dragon song. Haha

[@pyratemage]

I swear I remember Penn "singing" Old MacDonald while playing the bass, but it was some kind of "fill in the blank" gag. Either way, I wasn't impressed. Doesn't feel right somehow.

[@kurstone8511]

What’s the Easter egg in his video?? I couldn’t find it

[@superhunk1989]

The trick was super simple. The pen that Alyson had in her hand had no real ink at that moment. Actually, Alyson made an "invisible" circle on the paper at 5:14. Also, the circle movement that Alyson made at 5:14 didn't match to the circle at 5:47. Keith wrote the circle on "Old MacDonald" by himself. Alyson was a part of Keith's trick. I agree with you about Aesop's line "just like a woman in a temper". The writer should write "just like a cat in a temper".

[@hjs6102]

Exact

[@alissonzima]

you're wrong. see the comments in keith's video

[@superhunk1989]

@Alisson Zimermann. I wish there was a overhead shot when Alyson made the circle on the paper at 5:14. I watched it in 0.25x speed. I didn't see any circle on the paper.

[@d_e_a_n]

That flap thing at the beginning is much more deceptive when it’s just a sheet of paper. Without two different sides.

[@ronpetersen2317]

I think it had to been multiple outs and he made a video for each song and at the end he did a quick switch or pulled something out so the placard shown the song that was chosen. Note how he opened it from the back. For all we know the present wasn’t even wrapped in the back and he was just doing the switch and not really unwrapping it. Unwrapping it from behind being the misdirection for the switching.

[@TrimutiusToo]

If Penn was afraid of making fool of himself he would not make a "Fool Us" show

[@_definitelymaybe2332]

hahahhahhahhahhahahahahahhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rorajoey]

Penn is the singer (and bass player) of his band, the No God Band. He also plays upright bass with jazz pianist Mike "Jonesy" Jones as the audience files into the P&T theater at the Rio before every P&T show.

[@Vegas89156]

I appreciate you bringing up the debate with how people view mentalism because it is VERY interesting to think about for both sides of the argument. That being said I think that if people are dumb enough to believe someone has super powers or can speak with the dead then they deserve to believe whatever they believe and be deceived by a mentalist. I love being fooled and believing for a moment that people can actually do these things since there is a good feeling about that wonder and thinking, “could it actually be possible?” But I know it’s not but that moment of joy like I’m a kid again is really cool but people have to be realistic afterwards and know that it’s all a trick.

[@fuzzydrawrings269]

All I can think of is the obvious answer that the frame contained all song choices and used a small amount of tech to slide the correct image and plaque into place before the wrapping is removed. Maybe the selection is triggered by gripping one part of the frame in a particular way (as he did for several seconds before he began to remove the wrapping paper). Unlikely such a mechanism could be detected,by casual examination unless Penn were to try taking it apart (he wouldn't - at least not during the show). Not sure why Penn would say he thought it was a forced choice somehow - that seems the least likely way he could have done it.

[@MoonLiteNite]

Pick a number 1-10 Was your number 7? Well give me a FU award! Talk about an outcome!

[@icthulu]

Until Alana made a video about your reaction, didn't realize they had 7 minutes time to consider the act. Never knew how heavily edited this show was.

[@firefly4f4]

If you've never heard Alison sing before, watch the Buffy episode, "Once More, With Feeling" and you might understand her trepidation. She has about 2 lines of song in the entire episode. Don't misunderstand me; I have a crush on her, but singing is not her strong suit and I think she knows it.

[@magusxxx]

*laugh* was going to say the same thing. She specifically told them, "I'm not singing...okay two lines that's it!"

[@paulcrandall2534]

She may not be able to sing, but apparently she can play the hell out of a flute!

[@kasperjoonatan6014]

Yes but she is an actress. Even if she has a terrible singing voice, she should be able to make a fool out of herself.

[@chandekam1826]

1:24 Am Indian. "Jaadugar" does not mean "sorcerer". "Jaadugar" simply means "magician". All magicians are "jaadugar". There are plenty of crackpot believers in India, but calling someone "jaadugar" does not have anything to do with that. 4:35 Allison can't sing. There was an episode of Buffy where the entire cast sings; all the heroes, all the villains. All except Allison. Watch the episode called "Once More, With Feeling".

[@MegaAgamon]

In English Magician and Sorcerer are synonyms. They mean exactly the same thing. Is that different in Indian?

[@chandekam1826]

@@MegaAgamon 1. In English, Magician and Sorcerer are NOT synonyms in the current century. Magic is the performance of tricks for entertainment, whereas sorcery is not real. 2. "Jaadugar" is a word in Hindi. "Indian" is not a language.

[@MegaAgamon]

@@chandekam1826 Apologies my friend. I didn't know how your Language is named in English.

[@jvanamb]

Jason, You are correct. There is NO Pre-Show allowed. In most competitive shows the contestants are actually kept in sequester to prevent them meeting a part of the cast. So I don't believe Hannagan was pre-primed with a forced pick. Kieth Kong said right off the top he has seen every episode of FU. So he has video files of past P&T moments. And possibly using a Video Loader's keyword search could find phonetical clips to match the songs lyrics. When those clips are DIGITALLY Edited it would be easy to create the lyric montage of all those songs listed. However "OH SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE" may be a bit tricky. So that concludes that Hannagan could pick any song and Kong had a video file all set for his Assistant and Denny Rosenblatt to select for airing. What has got me stymied is the Award title card and the graphic card. At first I was thinking a device similar to one of those wooden flip calendars. But how did Kong trigger it to show the correct selection. Now initially Kong said as his effect we would get to see Jillett sing. I figured out how he did that. We saw it. So he DID NOT FOOL ME...NO OH..GILBERT (Kong) DID NOT FOOL ME. ~Jim

[@MrEkitten]

Except Keith has specifically stated he did NOT have multiple songs created. Just the one. Back to the drawing board.

[@1Resare]

Pretty sure that e-ink display (like in kindle) was used. It's possible that control mechanism was removed with the wrapping paper, in order to keep the frame slim, but the color of the answer insert was definitely resembling a lower cost e-ink displays.

[@9A4GEMilan]

The mechanism. 15 index cards, activated by something (pressing certain part of the frame, or magnet, or whatever) and it fall down so that it is visible at the end.

[@marctompkins3001]

Figured you would be working on your Fool Us card trick. Didn’t think you would be making observation videos until the submission of the show, shortly down the road.

[@JasonParkerMagic]

Well I had to get this one finished.. It was actually from the previous week. And trying to do a little bit of both... don't want to be punished by KZbin for not publishing enough videos either.

[@Musikpunx]

I believe Alison had indeed a free choice. Anything else (such as pre-show-work, instant stooges ... ) would have been a too high risk. So probably the "platinum disk" had some heavy preparation. It somehow reminds me to the effekt "Frozen in Time" by Katsuya Masuda. There is a clock which looks just like a photo of a clock. But in reality there is a mechanism that allows to set the clock hands freely. I think we should consider the fact, that the whole platinum disk is pretty large in relation to the field which reveals the predicted information. Therefore I think that the platinum disk contains metall signs for every song and a mechanism that brings the needed sign into its place. That might be done by an assistant by remote controll. Or maybe the platinum disc is even open at the back so, that Keith Kong is able to place the right metall sign to the right spot himself and then closes the whole apparatus which is prepared with some kind of contact adhesive in advance. There are very strong contact adhesives which don´t smell at all, because they can be applied days before. In this case the only way to figure the trick out would have been to brake the platinum disc. And it´s very unlikely that Penn and Teller would have done this live on stage. And when they do it at home, it´s too late. That´s my explanation.

[@sebastianheinrich8683]

Well the guru guy on Fool us did also clip every possible card combination penn and teller could have picked. So it is not absolutely implausible.

[@chrisp9824]

Just look at how complex your guess is, rewatch the trick and look where his hands are when unpacking gift, how quickly it happens AND keep in mind that they had 5-7 minutes to examine the gift... you really think this "device" with all that metal cards and mechanisms would be impossible to detect for Teller ? This is way off for sure. Like Penn said, there was a force somewhere fuk knows where.

[@chrisp9824]

Also there is not only engravings on the gift, but a picture of a farm. He opens it from the top, facing it to P&T all the time. It is literally impossible to put all that inside, make it weigh nothing, power it magically with tears of a fukin unicorn, keep it seemless and give to Teller for examination. ARE YOU SERIOUS ? ;p

[@jyesucevitz]

Out of most modern day mentalits I both Banahek and Derren Brown walk that line fairly well. Kind of the way you walk that line yourself by revealing without revealing.

[@tiger5869]

That's a really interesting card you have there. I understand how it's made just by looking at it, but it did puzzle me momentarily. I agree that it would be a neat little trinket to have on a desk.

[@jasoncourtneybrown7221]

I paused to to stare at it, too... took me a minute to "wrap my mind around it" lol. Easy and cheap illusion, will try to make one today.

[@johnkean6852]

...it was 4am here in N Cyprus when l received your vid...

[@ardemus]

Watching Allison's reaction, and the way he questioned her about her choice, I suspect that he went with an instant stooge, but gave her 2 choices. She could still answer the questions honestly. Her satisfaction makes sense if she's enjoying being in on it, and then he only needs outs for 2 songs. He may have influenced her choice so she only had two options, thought she had a free choice, but was pushed to pick the one he needed. However, he could also have a mechanism in the frame for picking between two sets of plates. Perhaps it depends on the way he tilts it when he removes the wrapping (which he slides off as a sleeve in a suspicious way). Then the plates lock in place with magnets, and you can't reset it without taking it all apart.

[@dennissmith5017]

I was thinking instant stooge too. My idea was maybe the paper is semi-transparent, and "CIRCLE THIS ONE" is printed on the podium, the he just places the paper at the right spot and boom, Alyson cooperates.

[@ryangueret9282]

Wow what a good act! I seriously thought that he forced Allison to choose that song. How he did it? I have no idea either. Hey, I really like those videos of people reacting to you reacting to them...I think that's pretty cool and funny. Keep up the good work bud.

[@IndigoAfterglow]

My guess... If they'd asked to inspect the podium? Then yeah they would have nailed him. The podium looks very suspicious... the side in which the list was placed for Allison almost looks 'glass', where instructions could be projected up through the paper. But its just a guess.

[@TheSirmousavi]

2:20 Jason I think you're starting to think too much about the possible consequences (read backlash) of your reviews/reactions and that the effects are becoming more and more visible in your commentary. Why wouldn't you give us *your own opinion* about a debate for example?

[@jaycourtel4478]

We live in the age of outrage. I really don’t blame him. It’s a “if you don’t think like me, you’re wrong” mentality nowadays.

[@disneymagicfanatic]

Jason: I want to be more fearless like Penn... Me: Does that mean we get to hear you sing? :)

[@keithfriedman]

I think you nailed it. There is some mechanism built in between the frame and record that is able to put in the correct engraving. Thats why he wasted a lot of time from the time Allison made the choice til the time he took the record off the stand. Probably almost 3 minutes including Penns singing. Also one last thing which pretty much confirms this, I did listen to Penns podcast when he talked about this trick. And although he did not tell how it was done, he did confirm That it WAS NOT a forced selection on Allison. And he also talked about spectacular engineering. I think you got it right!

[@kenpearce3269]

You've mastered disappearing on the first snap of your fingers! Practicing has paid off! 😃

[@ebreshea1337]

the soundtrack in his opening package was somewhat similar to the tune of old mcdonald. that's all i got

[@TheDobstopper]

I watched the video on his channel and did not catch anything different in the performance? Unless you were talking about the 'bread crumbs' he left for his followers outside of his appearance, I don't know what you were referring to. Please tell me!

[@blackflamesentinal3204]

Ha hah first keep up the great work dude!!! Also good luck with fool us.

[@TheBlues1961]

Very funny that pen trick at the end. This look so real ha ha!

[@WrightWorld]

I suspect the plaque (not the disc) was an e-reader. Possibly with a thin sheet of mylar over the top to conceal the tech and give it a brushed metal appearance. The e-ink display could have been updated via wifi or bluetooth by an assistant backstage, or even Keith while everyone was distracted by the video. E-Ink will remain set in place even after the battery dies. So it could still potentially be hanging on a wall in Penn's home or office.. Or, more likely, he took the frame apart off camera to see that he'd been duped by an old Kindle eBook.

[@jcross6262]

Everything is easily explainable but the plaque.. After some thought, I think I figured out a possibility. If you look closely at the labels at the bottom of the plaque (The picture and song title) both don't center in their mat frames. They are closer to the top of the mat than the bottom. It seems likely that the song labels and picture are on treads that turn, like changing advertisement signs. Between 7:20-7:30 he has his left thumb behind the frame. Plenty of time to scroll to the correct position. My guess is he used his thumb to switch to 'Old MacDonald' in that period of time, and give them the correct song. What do you think, Jason? PS: Your videos are next level entertainment and you have quite a charming personality. Great to unwind to at the end of the day. Thanks!

[@ericgoodwinart]

That sounds like a way to do this for sure!

[@ChrisBarrett1]

It would be a bit ballsy to give them the frame with a mechanism in, even if the switch is hidden in some way. I'm a bit disappointed they didn't smash it open to check. 😛

[@MlorenDraymeer]

I think this used a technique that I think you've referred to as as "multiple realities". I was actually quite suspicious of the way Alison made the selection. She looked at the page, gave kind of a smirk and then immediately chose one which seemed to me like the way you would act if there was only one thing on the list to choose (or if all the songs say the same thing). Then when the magician asks her about it, he says "You could have chosen anything on *this* list" and she says "yes" which is true even if the list only had one song on it. Then he just has to switch the pages after she leaves.

[@lmc4964]

interesting but it seems like it would be a little bit against the spirit of the show? another suggestion was that there was a bit of yolo as the choice had no bearing on the platinum record as that could be manipulated seperately , I doubt he had 15 videos prepared but he could have had 2 or 3 and the majority of choices would not be suitable, Alison was not going to pick the anthem for instance.

[@glowingfish]

The plaque could have been on some type of roulette wheel that could have rotated around and snapped into place? Guided by a magnet? The two options are the plaque was put into place or that Allyson's choice was a force.

[@JusNoBS420]

I feel the same way P&T think about mentalists. On a side note have you decided what style of magic act you might use for your Fool Us audition tape?

[@swolejszo]

The part I am keying in on is that he opened the present himself instead of allowing Penn to open it. There could easily have been something hidden in the bottom part that could be removed with the paper if the magician is the one opening the present.

[@WinterOrb]

Agree with you here. To me it seems like the impact would have been much more powerful if Penn were allowed to open the gift himself. Since he didn't let Penn open it, that makes me think he had to do something before it could be handed off.

[@axelakerstrom2663]

Exactly my thought. Surprised P&T didn't check the gift wrap.

[@Winterhe4rt]

You think there are like 15 different hidden plaits in the gift wrap or what? xD Also P&T got to inspect the frame afterwards...

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

Hit show more, long post. As someone who grew up in the US, Oklahoma to be exact, I would have only chosen a handful of song since he said please choose a song you THINK Penn would know "ALL" the words to. This immediately eliminates: Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life, London Bridge (not as common), America the Beautiful, Glass Bottle Bumpkins, Yankee Doodle Boy (this one isn't picked because we know it as Yankee Doodle so it seems foreign), Faded Glory, The Star Spangled Banner (no one wants to possibly embarrass someone for messing that up), Jack and Jill... This leaves Take me out to the ball game, old macdonald, happy birthday song, jingle bells, twinkle twinkle little star and mary had a little lamb ..... Allison was also under the impression that Penn would be singing it LIVE (not a recording. Jason, you prove my point at 3:48 because even YOU think Penn is going to sing live :) ), so Old MaCDonald is the most well-known song for kids growing up? IDK ... this is weird. I tried pausing the videos looking at the lists, but hmmmmm - no clue. No weird fonts, no weird spacing, just no clue. One thing I didn't notice at 3:30 he says, "Can we grab a close-up on the list so everyone can see?" This is worded to make it seem like it is a screen grab at that VERY MOMENT, but his hands/fingers are in different positions .... so it was obviously taken at some other point in time.Pause at 3:38 you can see the hand difference ... the wording throws me off ... is he being misleading?

[@TR1PLG]

what if Alison actually did not pick old macdonald, and he switched the paper she circled on with one that had old macdonald circled on it. Because Alison never actually confirmed that she chose old macdonald

[@newellgster]

good point - and at one point late in it she does have a weird sort of "do I say anything kind of look on her face..... but idk

[@JP-jd5vz]

Your intro music is fire.

[@bechirbenothman5453]

I think he just switched the paper with the song list. Remember, Alson selected a song near the top third of the paper. The song that in the first paper showed to us is in the last third. It wasn't a force, just a switch and Alison couldn't speak about it.

[@MilanKarakas]

In my previous comment, I mentioned mechanical way to roll the name of the song. But, there is also e-paper, type of display that uses liquid polymer and letters and pictures does not disappear even if electricity goes away.

[@jasoncourtneybrown7221]

It wouldn't look like an engraving, even under glass, I'm guessing. Might look the same in the video but they had it up close. I think that would work for a stage-only trick, but wouldn't fool them.

[@DrCJones]

I didn't see what the difference is (the Easter egg) in the original video. Did anyone notice it?

[@Jarisha9]

It could've been pre-show work, as you suggested but more subtle than your example. Could he have had the song playing very quietly in the background during a rehearsal? Pictures of a farmer and farm animals somewhere she would see them briefly? An actual rooster running around loose in her dressing room? It wouldn't be 100% sure to work, so probably not.

[@RichardRoger1966]

Think of an etch-a-sketch but with magnetic particles. And he'd have an assistant on the side with a video cued up for each of those songs AND have a cue for the magnetic sign / etch-a-sketch type device. Move the iron particles / ferro fluid to write the words.

[@lodjr]

My guess is that Kong instant-stooged Alyson, because even though this is supposedly forbidden by the rules of the show, it's been used before by some foolers (like Ondřej Pšenička on his third Fool Us appearance). I don't know, that's my best guess, haha. Great video as always, Jason! 😁 Edit: Kong himself commented on his video that this *wasn't* the method, so yeah, never mind. 😅

[@biosdilt1399]

On the comments of his own video he said that it was actually a free choice and that he wished there was a view from the top when she circled her choice.

[@lodjr]

@@biosdilt1399 Yeah, I just saw that and edited my comment to correct my assumption. I'm honestly stumped now, to be honest. The only other method I can think of is the one Jason also guessed, i.e., some sort of mechanism within the plaque.

[@QargZer]

Instant stooge has never been against the rules of this show as far as I'm aware. Plants (assistants pretending to be random) are against the rules.

[@lodjr]

@@QargZer Instant-stooging in general is "allowed" (that is, the rules don't specifically forbid it), but instant-stooging Alyson specifically is prohibited, because she's involved with the show. There already have been 2 foolers that have done that and got away with it, though, so I don't know.

[@QargZer]

@@lodjr where has it ever been said the host can not be instant stooged? The only rule I remember is plants are not allowed, instant stooging a host is not a plant. You are making up a rule claiming it's a rule even though it isn't a rule...

[@johnjohn-cs9eu]

Aesop: you nailed it JP.

[@dickortner3551]

I enjoyed the video

[@simonmilnovsky6138]

Am I the only one who thinks her circle is too high up to be Old MacDonald?

[@tomas_soeterik]

Underrated comment, you are right, she seems to have circled a song a little above the middle of the paper but when he shows the paper the song circled is below the middle

[@sariipa7323]

allyson choose twinkel little star

[@vagabundios]

That's because the paper sheet was facing the other way... Then he turner it arround, you can see that because of the drawings xd

[@Roxfox]

@@vagabundios I don't know what you mean. When she's circling her answer it's clearly on the left side of the paper from her perspective, and if it were upside-down she surely would have reacted to that when trying to read the list. I also thought her reaction to hearing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star seemed suspicious, but that is definitely too high up on the paper to be what she circled when she was up there. I don't think the perspective makes it clear enough to be conclusive that she didn't actually circle what she appears to have.

[@vagabundios]

@@Roxfox From our pespective it seems that way, the sheet is bend in one corner but if you look at the other end you can see that the circle is right in the middle of the two drawings.

[@xnick_uy]

Still no clue about the trick, but I'm leaning to think that the wrapping paper is the key, and that thin transparent layers for all the songs are ready to be put in place; the trick only requires to remove the other song names from the plaque.

[@Exobably]

The only one I don't recognize is "Glass Bottle Bumpkins" lol

[@KyosLegacy]

How dare you assume I shop at Wal-Mart! lol jk... good reaction video. :3

[@TheSirmousavi]

3:38 that's not a close up of the list on that monitor. The hand positions are different...hmmmm😒

[@mdotadotj9751]

@After the fights! what if the list was swapped after she made a selection

[@cheereebus]

Having done production before, if I were the producer, I would have opted to prerecord him holding the list rather than trying to cue a tight shot in the moment.

[@TheSirmousavi]

@@cheereebus why have "his own" monitor? I haven't seen other magicians using such monitors on the set of Fool Us. The theater has its own monitors. For some reason he wanted that image to constantly be there

[@cheereebus]

Not sure why it needed to be there other than as a prop to make the stage look more balanced and sell the showing of the list without forcing audience to look away from him towards larger displays flanking the stage. Even if they can't read it, many people will be happy to see it there. Plus it was used to play back the singing video without having to cut away from a stage shot.

[@newellgster]

@@cheereebus I doubt that....

[@DoggyMadness_UK]

This was some kind of force, how do I know? Because I watched this high and was screaming old Mac Donald way before Allison chose it..

[@kurstone8511]

Since the judges know how all the tricks are done, I wonder if penn and teller learn the secrets to the tricks after each show🤔

[@toxigenic]

We heard Penn sing before with Piff the Magic Dragon when they sang the mystical "Dragon Song."

[@NathanSmith-om8ym]

The bottom right panel is not an engraving by any means, it's an eink panel, like you get on a kindle.

[@johnkean6852]

Aesop: Wherever you may be whatever kind of creature you are remember this: it's a dog- eat-dog world out there *just ensure you don't get on the menu.* (I know it's clichéd but its entirely apt for this fable.)

[@goodmaro]

What do you think of people who enjoy performing and/or taking in the performances of mentalists in the knowledge that they're illusions, while also believing that "psi" is a probably real phenomenon?

[@architectinth]

I like how the Audience claps because Pen and Teller were fooled, but even if they weren't they still wouldn't know.

[@TheOpus528]

If there’s only one way that the trick was done then that’s the way it was done. The magician told Alison “pick old McDonald” That’s it. Even Jason commented on how quickly she circled the song. Also, the smirk on her face when Penn says “force”

[@susansemola8606]

Allison didn't pick Old MacDonald because he told her to it's against the rules! Magicians take their acts very seriously! She had free choice Allison free choice 💯 I never disagreed with anybody but I have to today!because you can't tell her what to pick she wouldn't be on Penn and Teller

[@TheOpus528]

All magic is deception. The job of the magician is to trick you. That’s why it’s called a magic trick. And by the way, Penn knew Alison was a part of the trick. But he couldn’t say it completely without completely giving away the trick, so he stopped short.

[@VideoGameVillians]

If I thought he was asking me to sing I would have been happy to do it, but I'm someone who loves karaoke and I believe I'm good at it so I wouldn't say I'm necessarily willing or not afraid to make a fool of myself as I don't believe I would be doing so. If it was something I'd likely make of fool of myself doing... maybe I'd do it?

[@Zambulie007]

You nailed the fabe toats .. pride doth cometh...

[@johnkean6852]

Aesop: Keep your eyes PEELED there is something out there that wants to consume you ... still hoping myself 😉 🤣

[@johnjohn-cs9eu]

Deceipt is harmful. _Magic_ is entertainment. There's a line you potentially cross ...😐

[@ebreshea1337]

deceit not receipt

[@johnjohn-cs9eu]

Aesop: if you look for trouble you WILL find it

[@GrandTurtleSage]

We HAVE heard Penn sing before! In Penn the Magic Dragon! It's one of Penn and Teller's ending performances on Fool Us, this time working with Piff the Magic Dragon.

[@MilanKarakas]

She had free choice, no force. Big frame has inside motor with scrolls of all possible outcomes and it is remotely controlled. Just trigger switch and scroll will move name of the song to chosen place and stay there. So tinny, but it works.

[@hjs6102]

Free choice, yes, but did he told the truth about her choice? He simply gave her a magic pen and made the circle after her choice. She knows it, but she isn't allowed to tell... That is why she is "nervous", when Teller picks up the list.. Penn and Teller -> Pen and tell her ;)

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Lmao at your "colleagues and coworkers alike" joke!!

[@numehall3186]

Penn has actually done quite a bit with music, most recently with the "No God Band" if you're curious to check them out. I will warn though they are very nsfw and you see a very different side of Penn :) (more like you'd see on his podcast if you've listened to that some).

[@TheGrumpySage]

I agree with what Jason said, we all have seen the awesome puzzles Chris Ramsay solves on his channel right, those things are so complex and intricate, I think that platinum record which was gifted to Penn was really big and there could be a mechanism inside which could pop out every song name on his list and then after he does that, he could press another secret button or something to make that choice look permanent even if someone checks it, maybe they could find it in the long run but he needed them not to figure it out for 10-15 mins which in turn would make him a fooler.

[@bilskro]

Pretty Impressive. It looked like Alison had a free choice, which only leaves the Plaque. I read some people mentioned some mechanical mechanism and I would have thought that if the Plaque just stayed on the stage, but he gave it to Penn who could shake it. I think if mechanical mechanism Penn would have noticed that. So that only leaves me with an LCD secured to the Plaque. That Plaque is pretty thick. So an assistant can control what the LCDs displays. If so a pretty sophisticated trick and when the battery dies Penn will figure it out. I can only think of 1 other options that seem a bit far fetched and that is he somehow did narrow down Alison choice after all he only asked her, "You could have chosen Twinkle Twinkle. .." Maybe he know the odds are Old McDonald will be chose so that is the Plaque, but he has a plan if something else is chosen. Like if Twinkle Twinkle chosen a big banner comes down. But that would not fool them. As I said not as likely an option.

[@Chinookman]

She had a free choice then instant stooge as another pointed out. She played along with his “joke” mentioning her choice. Big risk, big reward. Lol

[@sniffableandirresistble]

The present was wrapped is key 🔑 Allison had a free choice and there was video for each song the plaque was selected as he unwrapped it

[@manusoftar]

For me the secret lays on that frame, the video is easier he could easely have every song just the way he made Old Mcdonald, and I believe there is something on the frame that allows him to actually change the song title... is the only logical explanation I can come with, taking in consideration that they don't allow preshow work to the contestants... but the thing is that I don't know which would be that mechanism at all...

[@gladtobeangry]

Could there be like a thin framewide vertical slot at the bottom or top of the frame through which you could pull out the sheets with the names and pictures of the "dud" songs, leaving only the right answer. Last move is sliding the back of the frame the half an inch or so back into place, closing off the slot. You can easily conceil all of the moves, plus the removed set of dud songs with the wrapping paper, and if you slide the back of the frame in tightly enough, it's not an obvious thing to find when they want to inspect the frame. That seems to me to be the way it could be done. The songs are just a distraction. That kind of stuff is easy and fun to make with a a DAW and some autotune software. There's no reason why he couln't have done it with a number of short children's songs.

[@RobertBallMagician]

Great effect totally fooled.👍👍

[@johnkean6852]

Aesop: A carnivore is a carnivore _whatever the size of its bite_

[@kevboard]

that circle doesn't fit with her pen movement. she clearly does a really high swoosh towards th left side of the page (right side from the camera's perspective). when he shows the page afterwards it's a tiny swoosh to the exact other side.

[@mAckPS3]

I know you said you were gonna choose a random page at the end but i think it was just a Jedi trick!

[@ozzysabbath3130]

That was cool

[@WelshPaulJames]

Loved it, not a clue

[@TwistedSoul2002]

The bottom bit that says, “Old Macdonald” and the picture can probably be switched remotely. He puts on the music as a distraction so you can’t hear the mechanism move and presses some button on a device which rotates through to the correct selection. That’s all I got!

[@Gary-tc7zx]

Sounds possible to me

[@Nemsesis3624]

That's also the only idea I have.

[@tokugagua2008]

To me, It wasn´t a force, the name of the song in the frame and the picture were there all the time, the same as all the other songs (maybe he chose the right song wirelessly from behind the stand at 1:50, or maybe he selected it physically at the end when he picked up the frame). For the song played on the tv, the team had already in place any of the variants written in the paper. It was a real free choice.

[@cyberdimi1100]

I really wanna know how that trick is done because I am sure the method is really beautiful

[@isaklalnunchama1806]

mentalist always fool them when I watch. good performance

[@rickodonnell2243]

I feel like it was in the plaque. How idk

[@johnkean6852]

AESOP: if you knock on the devil's door _he will answer your call ... eventually_