Michael Ammar on Late Show with Letterman

Michael Ammar's appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, aired May 21, 2010.

[@gimpyhayes9102]

I attended a seminar of his in Watertown, MA many years ago, and got to meet him. He is a real master magician and very nice person.

[@MirageUchiha]

That was such a smooth vanish of the cell Mr. Ammar.👌🏾 Couldn't have done it better myself. 👏🏾

[@carlloud1187]

You do know how it's done don't you?

[@MirageUchiha]

@@carlloud1187 Yezzir.

[@deelo2281]

The cell phone trick itself was terrible tho. That pic of the inside of the balloon could have been anything. Smooth vanish tho

[@Adam51722]

Michael Ammar is a living magic legend. I've seen him lecture many times and own most of his magic DVDs. He's just excellent on technique and presentation. I also deeply appreciate how he respects his audience, and never uses his performances as an opportunity to belittle his volunteers, something many magicians do. I found the trick selection here a bit curious, but I am sure he had his reasons for the selections. Go Michael!

[@DETERMINOLOGY]

Ive seen him lecture once and it was a sight to see ....Pretty down to earth and his presentation is awesome ...Very clean,..Even when you know his trick seeing him preform it is something..Daryl was another one of those that was solid on dvds as well

[@DETERMINOLOGY]

Same, Ive seen him lecture once and hes one of the best ive seen...Great work

[@miamimagicians]

What do you mean his tricks selection was a little bit curious? Like do you think the little hand was a week affect? I thought it was pretty good church election

[@georgeadcock2347]

I think he ended with a very weak effect. However, it doesn't matter what I think it's what Dave and the audience thought. I think that was self evident.

[@CEDtalks85]

That Last Vanish floored me. Always enjoy you performing Mr. Ammar

[@bRadicalmagic1]

Thankyou Michael for blowing our minds here in Eugene last Sunday ! ! !

[@bRadicalmagic1]

. . . and AGAIN two months ago, here in Eugene Oregon ! ! ! Micheal is so down to earth & such a quality Magician . . ! ! !

[@VancouverMagic]

Lol, David really wanted to look at that scarf. It's nice to see a master (Michael) at work.

[@Seethi_C]

Which is strange, because it doesn't appear that the method involves a gimmick scarf

[@bmpower6556]

The last trick was too funny!!!hahahaha

[@stratsurvivor]

Michael Ammar totally rocked WVU. I had the luck of being in the Mountain State Mystics Magic club with him, Robert Bengel and Fred Goldberg. Such a treat, amazing, and a genuine gentleman. I was in awe then and now.

[@keratinsolution]

David Letterman was a hard spectator here.

[@magicelliotth]

I think letterman is always a hard spectator. Don't like the man interviewing anyone let alone magicians.

[@Averagebum21]

“Magic,” just like hypnosis and “psychics” doesn’t work unless the audience, participants, and sitters play along with it.

[@bryanfidelman3846]

@@Averagebum21 not true

[@Averagebum21]

@@bryanfidelman3846 On what basis?

[@bryanfidelman3846]

@@Averagebum21 I’ve been practicing and performing intense sleight of hand for a lot of years and I’ve been able to convert a lot of skeptics and hecklers to my side. I’m not saying it’s always possible and easy, however more times then not I can get away with it, the more expirence you have with people, the more easier it becomes to deal with them. I just feel as though most close up guys probs are a bit unused to tv stuff like micheal here, something tells me he would have done way better in his natural habit. That’s my opinion

[@88Doug]

Wow! I did not know about this! Micheal is one of the best to do it!!

[@technowey]

He got a big hand for the little hand. :) I've met Michael Ammar. He's not only an incredible performer, but he's a very nice person.

[@jaygrillmagic]

Love the Vernon line, when asking Dave about the cup.

[@antonnova9955]

Michael has always been one of my favorite magicians BECAUSE he is really FUN 2 WATCH. Some magic is often not as organic and I also perform with a similar style that I have been told is appealing and unbelievable. Michael has routines that play big and pack small. A wonderful adventure is in store 2 attend any of his performances. Always a first class 5 STAR show.

[@elianeg2744]

I love Michael's Ammar laugh

[@YANN69440]

HELLO MICHAEL happy to see you again on youtube.... and wait a comeback in France FRIENDSHIPS Yann & Krystine

[@TheRanhughes]

To the commenter who said that wasn't the TopIt. It was the TopIt. Michael was promoting the TopIt during that appearance afterwards at a New York Magician's Meeting and commented about his use of the device on Letterman.

[@Hiimmlem]

The music made the unintentional innuendo even better

[@ebhock101]

The scarf trick is in his lecture from Murphys Magic/Vanishing Inc.

[@patrickoriley8382]

Holy fuck he's damn good!! He's a legend in magic for a reason. Great job, Michael!

[@patrickoriley8382]

vernonclassic Vernon was a wonderful magician, but he was a real brick and jealous of Houdini. Vernon is famous to magician's and he's not known to laymen like Houdini is. Vernon never had the kind of money, Houdini had and maybe that's part of the reason he was jealous.

[@patrickoriley8382]

vernonclassic I believe you when you say Houdini wasn't jealous. And Houdini was a magician and many other things. Yes, he's known for fooling Houdini by magicians. Houdini is known among magicians and laymen. Vernon wasn't really a nice guy and yes he was good at Magic. Harry Houdini was much better in so many ways in my opinion.

[@patrickoriley8382]

vernonclassic Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't some escapes illusions? The answer is yes. Houdini performed escapes and illusions. Houdini was a magician an escape artist and other things. "Vernon performed better magic." Better magic? You mean he could do slight of hand better than Houdini? Again I'll say this, Houdini is actually known to people who are not magicians because he's a legend. Vernon is known only by magicians. They don't make Hollywood movies about Vernon. Vernon was very good at magic and I've said that before. Houdini was a magician and a wonderful showmen and he's known better so he was doing something right.

[@TaranHarveyChadwick]

you people arguing about houdini vs the proff is like watching a primary school science teacher arguing about black holes wit Steven hawking... allow me to set things straight for you. no, the proff wasn't very nice to people. there are many stories of people showing him tricks that they had spent their entire lives working on and he has basically called them shit and they should give up magic. he was an extremely harsh critique. to say that houdini was better than the proff is just an insult to both of their incredible legacies that they have left behind. Vernon basically reinvented magic in the 20th century. he has !mastered erdnase by the time he was 15 years old. he fooled houdini who claimed to be the king of cards. just a bit of history on that. houdini always had a fascinating with escapes and locks etc but persued magic because that's what he thought people would like. it wasn't until his publicist informed him that he could get a better reaction from picking handcuffs and escapes that he started doing his escapes. this is what made him famous in the 1910s. most of the sleights we see in magic today, the proff probably redesigned and improved upon. neither of them are better than the other one. they are both just as good but in different ways. houdini for his escapes and his magic in the early years but the proff revolutionised magic of the 20th century. without Vernon, who knows where the art of magic will be today? he was by far one of the most important magicians who ever lived.

[@buffalo84]

ahahahahahah the coin banish was amazing!!! can't stop laughing

[@ericlewis4783]

He looks boss with the shaved head. Very good performer and sleight of hand artist.

[@PatrickWaltrick]

Fantastic audience management ;-) Love it !

[@CDenic]

I wish he would make ALL cell phones vanish... Still though, one of the best damn magicians of all time. And cool under pressure even with a total prick like Letterman.

[@miamimagicians]

That Vanish takes serious guts, it would have been bad if you missed. Man you've got chops!

[@burkerr1910]

True, its called "pressure" by Daniel Garcia, but this guy you replied to isn't talking about the balloon trick, he means the one after when the phone 'vanished' from his hand.

[@micheljones2076]

so clean! so smooth, just elegant and funny

[@ludwigbeethoven3119]

It's Sept 14, 2020...

[@erikhauge9034]

"Coming from you, that means something.." LOL..

[@StyrofoamTuph]

I don't think it actually went in the balloon, the ballon just wrapped around the phone a bit. If you look at the picture it looks like his hand more than a balloon.

[@TheMagicMinute]

That was wonderful, sorry I won't see you at TAOM this year Mike, but last year was blast! "From down there you're probably fine, but you're flashing crazy from my angle up here!" Still laughing about that. Take care of yourself Mike. Alan

[@benjaminbenson3399]

Just saying Hello my friend! I was checking out micheal ammars' content, just now, wondering, is it that deceptively casual and down right dastardly charming manner of his? or did he sell his soul to make his magic look so impossibly convincing? when, I came across your reply, and said to myself "hey, look,it's Alan! from almost ten years ago, who doesn't know who I am, yet. but he does,it turns out, know, not only Michael ammar but, it seems like, just about every(living?)magician of note that's ever inspired me! " dude, you should write a book! I am filled with, both admiration 😮and envy😞! I wonder if you'll see this? Let me know if you do,see ya!

[@burkerr1910]

Okay, that's a valid opinion. Thanx for clearing things up.

[@gavynkeck5111]

The first and last effects were really the best though.

[@EpicBunty]

+Gavyn Keck in the last one I couldn't even catch him slip out a doll..

[@donovandelaney3171]

Wow, I don't even recognize him or his voice too.

[@TheMagicofCurtis]

loved it :-)

[@VaishnavaVegan]

EricSurf6 showed me the balloon one, SPOILER ALERT the suction just keeps the phone tight with the back of the balloon, he doesn't show the back but there will be the phone there

[@666bella66680]

the phone wasnt in the ballon it shrunk around it thats why you never see the bottom

[@saimon20000000000]

love it!

[@dilnaazmehshi]

I want to buy this little hand 🤣

[@CrypticChris1113]

is there anywhere I could learn that last vanish??

[@ITSROBHERE]

I'm a magician and I disagree, the principle behind pressure has been a magic principle far before daniel garcia decided to market it, and just because he uses it on a phone doesn't mean he owns the concept.

[@joewhitfield5561]

ITSROBHERE Wow that's the most useless piece of magic information ever👍

[@Marcos808]

Grande mágico. Grande pessoa. Marcos, do Brasil.

[@CheddarBob39]

I don't know how he made the phone vanish, but I am guessing he tossed it somewhere in his coat.

[@patrickoriley8382]

+CheddarBob39 I have that effect and believe me that's not what he did. It's a hard trick to pull off. And it could be done standing.

[@TheRealCowlick]

CheddarBob39 topet

[@TDo280199]

Patrick O'Riley Can you tell me the name of the effect?

[@ebhock101]

Here's a thought. Spend a little and GET some Ammar lectures/dvds/vhss and study his work instead of guessing the techniques and performing them poorly. I recommend starting with his card tricks made easy series

[@regularstan6212]

David letterman knows his stuff

[@TheMagicofCurtis]

@TheScandinavianOne no that was the topit

[@SpinsteerCardistry]

the mug penatration used a reel

[@chax2004]

TALENT PURE TALENT Ammar is awesome

[@Myggen123]

He was in Denmark 4 weeks ago, where I was seeing him as magicianteacher, and I know how all of it is done.. The scarf is normal! The balloon and phone is normal! He doesn't drop the phone! And the last one I don't have to explain.. xD

[@benjaminbenson3399]

I've also learned the balloon phone trick. that phone is definitely real,but the balloon? Really? No holes even?are you sure?would you bet a dollar on it? I'm kidding w/you. I'm just bitter and jealous that you saw him in Denmark all those many years ago!that darn scarf trick has been my favorite for a while! Seems as close to real magic as it gets, I know, its absolutely not the cup,I've seen him do it w/everything from polls to people and only that ding dang scarf always is exactly the same! I always just assumed the scarf has cuts/magnets/rubber cement, wires or all four! on the side nudge, nudge wink, wink I'd give up even my left pinkie nail to learn the secret! But if you honestly say, it's just a scarf, then I'm back to believing in real magic yay!lol.

[@jason420jv1]

@@benjaminbenson3399 the scarf is normal, but the gimmick attached to it isn't lol. It's a really expensive reel you can buy on his website. I hear it's great quality and worth the money. Hope this helps. ✌️😎👍

[@wallaguest1]

i find ammar laughting funny :P

[@Joe_Spina]

What is the silk through mug trick called ?

[@TaranHarveyChadwick]

i dont think it has a name. it is on his penguin lecture though. costs around $200 to make it though so don't get your hopes up.

[@ElMagoRob]

Bullshit, he just does sleight of hand with a regular cloth

[@artvandelay1993]

Why a video from 2010 looks like 80's?

[@chrismccarthy1455]

Anybody notice he sounds a lot like Paul?

[@そら-x7o7d]

I just knew him on the video when he was young and a hero, I'm greatly confused to see he handles smartphone

[@joshcarcarson]

how on earth did he make that phone vanish?????

[@thegreatcahyo]

cool !!!

[@watchout8965]

How the h3ll does he vanish the phone?!!

[@4567patr]

He does not use the Topit, he uses the TKO.

[@mdl3377]

Slight of hand champion!

[@90s-Trance_86]

His mad t..it skills.! People in magiv know what I mean😎🖒

[@TheScandinavianOne]

Letterman got T.K.O-ed! Nice job, M.A!

[@4567patr]

He does not use the Topit, he uses teh TKO.

[@ElMagoRob]

That 1 st Gen iPhone is so ugly and smudgy. I thought it was some cheap touchscreen phone. We've come a very long way

[@augmentedkeys5971]

Check out the original cell phones. "ugly" but not "smudgy." :)

[@maggot1111666]

phone vanish was ridiculous

[@theclosetnook]

i saw him shake his magic wand.

[@AShotOfWhitewater]

i got the balloon trick!!!!

[@jmanbgg]

got him!

[@nb7216]

at 6:06 you see his thumb cap

[@rakenrol44]

Wanted to learn the scarf trick who knows the reference? I can swap the pressure phone to balloon trick

[@Magic-bf8gz]

So you want to trade pressure for the method for the silk penetration?

[@tahir16000]

+Magic20151 I want to, do you want to trade the phone through balloon with the scarf through cup, please - via YTPak(.com)

[@TaranHarveyChadwick]

it's on his penguin lecture. it's only $20 and its worth every penny. but it, he teaches all of these on it.

[@ricoweeland2301]

Bro just what the fuck. How do you even call yourself a magician. You can tell all you want well this is a Ripoff. Altough that doesn't support the art. The whole point of a lecture is that you can learn some of someones best stuff that he is willing to share to you aslong as you support the art. Magic is a though buisness and this way you won't support the art or the magicians. If you do this people will lose money, people will follow your example ending up in magic deing out. Just imagine you had your own coffee shop and people would start handing out free coffee infornt of your door. You would lose all the customers and you would have to close. Just be reasonable and treat the artform with respect.

[@ElMagoRob]

rico weeland You cant physically hold a download like you can a coffee. It's money that the magician wouldnt make otherwise because i wouldnt have bought that garbage

[@regularstan6212]

Who else heard the phone hit the ground.

[@MagicoThiagoEto]

There is no way he's using TKO with that kind of cloth

[@gavynkeck5111]

Pressure kills though, I just do not think he should have done it for national television.

[@EpicBunty]

+Gavyn Keck why ?

[@oldirtybrza]

This is going to ruin it for someone, I know it. But my guess with the ballon trick near the start is he pressed it in while the balloon shrank, and sort of forced it to wrap around the phone. That's why he never shows the back.

[@benjaminbenson3399]

Holy moley, you are dangerously close to revealing the truth. Is that honestly just a guess?somebody taught you, admit it!lol

[@TheScandinavianOne]

@TheMagicofCurtis I know, but I couldn't resist the pun. :P

[@gavynkeck5111]

He seemed nervous, but still a great performance.

[@TaranHarveyChadwick]

that's just his performance persona

[@ConnorRunsFree]

@4567patr you must not know how TKO works.

[@TheHarryPlinkett]

Was it amateur night?

[@MichaelLawrenceMagic]

Douche

[@yayazein222]

6:00 just hilarious

[@Fetch799]

Smart choices for TV. Excellent.

[@regularstan6212]

That first trick is so stupid 🤣

[@deelo2281]

5:58 damn he flashes the gimmick finger

[@shangliu]

you can see him switching the hand that was holding the coin at the end when he was about to shake David's hand.

[@David-0100]

It was so obvious how he did it.

[@richardcooper8594]

Its an odanery scalf i checked it my self ha yeah right

[@poriporikariagekun77]

This is ordinary scarf I check it myself just to be sure but~

[@loganhawke9670]

There was a flash at 5:58 to 6:06 please fix. The scarf should have penetrated the entire mug the second time or penetrate something else, as each effect is suppose to get stronger.This guy is awesome.

[@F1ySt1ng]

add a W to the start

[@Raziel_Winged]

عمار just like my name

[@Willibirne]

The phone trick is easy^^

[@whiteninjaplus5]

+Willibirne Pressure?

[@EpicBunty]

+Willibirne sure. im sure you have no idea

[@burkerr1910]

$19 isn't a great deal. Plus your paying for the right to perform it, if you get it free its not yours to do.

[@kyri44]

congratulations, you know how to use an apostrophe. you are a clever one aren't you?

[@nemanjaristic5725]

At 5:58 you can se that arm that's on his finger :D

[@chungkid1]

Ammar is great, but his laughing is so disturbing.

[@CntrlShift52]

I'm familiar with every trick except the first one. Can anybody point me in the right direction?

[@michaela.754]

Tie microphone stand. Look it up

[@juice6803]

this is a show for old people

[@1trentongregory]

This didn't seem as top notch as the best actors and singers ....he didn't have much response to the funny questions and none of the magic was memorable . After hearing he's the best in the industry its a let down .

[@David-0100]

Agreed. He needs to work a lot on his social skills.

[@pinkhippie135]

don't do that... so not worth what it cost

[@ElMagoRob]

Everything was amazing except for the awful balloon trick

[@soccerman26]

The scarf trick was amazing...really? I thought he was doing it as a gag at first then he put it away and I realized he was serious.

[@benjaminbenson3399]

@@soccerman26 every magician worth his salt, knows that the "scarf trick" is easily the most visually convincing trick in magic, holmes watch it again . I'll give you a dollar if you can tell me how he does it!

[@brannonmorrison5077]

Topit.

[@taqmobile]

Very sloppy on the handkerchief. I saw it on the first attempt. Hold 2 parts in your right hand, poof.. you let go of the secondary but it just pops out and its obvious. The balloon thing is just like what happens to a can in a grocery bag... it just got tangled inside out and the rubber blocked it. An entertaining physics bit but not "magic" at all.

[@TaranHarveyChadwick]

please keep quiet so you don't embarrass yourself more....he teaches the scarf one in his penguin live lecture....you're so wrong it's kind of funny how stupidly and disastrously creative you have been. 😂😂

[@JB_inks]

Taran - Magician/Entertainer that's a bit harsh. Part of the shtick of magic is lay people trying to guess how magicians did it

[@juice6803]

rip michael amaar

[@billbateman8395]

Lecturing Sat 1`2/17 in my town. Great health. Just sayin'

[@rod1987]

Pnenominal