Ricky Jay 52 assistants medium

[@ArsPraestigium]

For over 40 years, I performed as a close-up magician and stage illusionist, consulted with stage productions and TV shows, and met many of the very best performers of the 20th Century. Ricky Jay was in a class by himself. I can think of no greater compliment, but to say that his sleight of hand skills were equalled only by his subtle and nuanced acting ability. He is greatly missed.

[@evanabbott2737]

That’s amazing...he was a true master of our time. R.I.P.🙏❤️

[@timhitt9541]

I didnt know he died.What a loss.

[@ChuckNorrisUltra]

That's impressive that you got to meet him. I wish I could've met and watched Ricky Jay, Steve Forte, Darwin Ortiz, Richard Turner or last, but definitely not least, Walter Irving Scott.

[@randysager3660]

That he definitely was.

[@randysager3660]

@@ChuckNorrisUltra Ortiz, and Forte,Turner are still living.

[@samratbose443]

Came here for the card tricks. Stayed for the exceptional use of English language.

[@Volvandese]

His love for the art, his respect for its history, his vast knowledge, his flawless technique, his dry wit, and his seemless blending of honesty and deception truly were everything magic can be at its absolute best. The world has lost someone truly special.

[@JC-bj4km]

thank you and can they endure yes they can

[@wolfgangbuck3632]

Ricky Jay was the Man! I like his movie parts as well. Redbelt, great movie.

[@wolfgangbuck3632]

Dai Vernon is why I started. Wow.

[@fredwood2033]

I must agree, elequently put...

[@TheBabu991]

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[@CardsharpChris]

My Dad, a Harley Davidson trained mechanic turned professional magician, absolutely loved Ricky Jay. Because of him, I grew up loving Ricky Jay. His unique style, a combination historian and master magician, never gets old. At least to me. God Bless you, Ricky Jay. Thank you and Rest In Peace.

[@logandarklighter]

I love Ricky Jay's patter - his erudite way with words that hooks you in as much as the trick itself. In fact I love it so much that I truly don't need or care to know how the trick was done. Though the reveal is always special. And his way with cards is effortless. His voice and rhythm of speaking is soothing and hypnotic yet he can turn on a dime and make you laugh out loud. His dry humor is fantastic and almost "British" in it's sheer desiccation. At first glance he often seems to be a cynic. But the twinkle in his eyes belies that. I appreciate greatly the fact that he was a historian of magic as much as a practitioner. And it worries me greatly that the magicians, history, trivia and tidbits of the craft that he brought back into life and prominence might fade again, now that he himself is gone. Rest in Peace Ricky Jay. A magician's magician. You've perfected the final Prestige. The art of vanishing forever.

[@smbvms]

I agree with you on the way his words are part of the trick and help draw you in. So many magicians think that "patter" means "tell a really long and boring story before doing the trick". Like, no one gives a shit if your great uncle was a magician and he taught you magic and this is the last trick he taught you before he died or whatever dude, just do the fucking trick. Ricky tells the story while actually doing the trick, and the story is actually about the trick, not just a coat of paint to dress it up.

[@opera1dan2]

logandarklighter totally agree about the twinkle in his eye he’s very kind to the audience who were a bit dead that evening. What a star. I’ll miss him.

[@miketait8254]

I thumbs downed because you used the word erudite, forcing me to stop watching and google the word and then leaving me feeling vacuous.

[@magicwand6746]

This is a Huge Loss ...really sad

[@jeffkirchberg]

@@miketait8254 so you thumbs down the video because some commenter has a better vocabulary than you?

[@KinnereyB]

One of the GOATS of this beautiful art form. He demonstrates so many different skills and sleights in this show that I lost count...somewhere around the 15 minute mark. Then I just became a spectator again instead of a magician watching another magician. He was a magician’s magician. Ricky Jay was truly one of a kind.

[@randyporter3491]

Brian Kinary Well said Brian. A true master of magic and verbal prestidigitation. I met him many times and attended a number of his lectures at various magic conventions. I normally bore quickly of card tricks, but could watch Ricky for hours. Amazing performer.

[@superchef78]

@@randyporter3491 I would have loved to seen more of Ricky’s card magic, especially his handling on classical plots and such. Wish there were more film of him.

[@bradhart6071]

Absolute masterclass. I hardly ever feel the need to comment but Ricky was on another level. RIP my man, you were a true American showman.

[@randy16us1]

The GOAT. You never ceased to amaze me, Ricky. Im forever grateful for the jaw drops. Go give the man upstairs a show. He's gonna love what you can do. RIP, brother.

[@alexmarrer1010]

When he dealt himself gin I almost lost it. RIP you magnificent bastard

[@jacesaces15]

he misses that second ace but he recovers so well. the dude is an expert showman and an artist.

[@RealM722]

Commenting because I came from Tim Rogers recommendation from Episode #299 of the Insert Credit podcast. The entire hour is enthralling but 47:05 is where you hear the line "it's too much fun for the melon"

[@andrewroberts8139]

This is as good an hour entertainment as I've ever had in my life - I didn't know he'd died, how sad

[@garyhenderson6504]

I have been watching Ricky Jay since the 1970s. His presentation is unmatched, and his ability to control a deck of cards is the stuff of which legends are made. It's hard to wrap one's head around just how good he was. I often think of what else he might have contributed had he not been taken so soon. He is sorely missed.

[@xtraflo]

Ricky Jay is one of my Favorites. I Love honesty with Magicians. He's not necessarily trying to WOW you with "Magic" or the Trick. He's simply showing you what Years of Practice in Manipulation can do.

[@DezrahBlinn]

That's the trick.

[@emilycasanova8512]

I originally watched this as a teenager back in the late 90s and I'm still just as enamored with his performance. So sorry to belatedly hear about his passing in 2018. His skill was incredible but even moreso his knowledge of the history of his art.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

He was a brilliant magician with amazing sleight of hand! I was just rewatching the trick he was doing with the woman Erin and the new unopened pack of cards and I’m still wondering how the hell he did that, absolutely amazing!!

[@Papercut625]

Its amazing how this dude is an absolute legend. That I've never heard of. Just goes to show how many amazing people exist that you just dont know.

[@James-gk8ip]

Mamet films.

[@ChuckNorrisUltra]

Check out Richard Turner too, if you haven't already.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

@@James-gk8ip I saw him in The Prestige which he also consulted on and then Boogie Nights and Magnolia with PTA, stumbled across his stage magic work and was blown away that I had no idea how he was an amazing magician!

[@ItsZurca]

@@James-gk8ip😊

[@cypress0ne]

One of my most favorite performers and scholars of history, a man who brought so much to his performances. James Randi is another example. Ricky Jay will always in my book go down as one of the best to EVER do it. RIP dear sir.

[@benjaminfranklin4149]

Ricky was truly one of a kind. Not just a technical master, but an incredible performer and artist. I am pained that I will never have the opportunity to see him live, but thankfully we have videos like this online to preserve his memory and unique talent.

[@TransSappho]

My dad got to see one of Jay’s performances of this show in person. Thank you so much for this upload, I’m so glad I finally get to see it

[@spartanblueteam1286]

"this rabbit will find your card or die" I lost it.

[@umphreak9999]

and then it just immediately falls over, classic

[@kev3d]

A master has left us, to explore the final mystery.

[@kekagada8420]

kev3d shit thats deep

[@AnasAsifSA]

None of this is impressive after watching richard turner

[@RocksterOO1]

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he was to turn up again under a massive brass cup!

[@AitoNitram]

Every year I return and watch everything I can find on Mr Ricky Jay, he, without knowing it, was and still is my mentor in this strange world of magic. I'm just happy I for a time got to share this planet with him. Rest well

[@tomk3620]

RIP "TRICKY RICKY" JAY!!! I can never thank you enough and will never forget you brother! #genius

[@zwickeralvin]

A sad day to wake up and hear of Ricky's passing.

[@trademarkdesigns]

Man I wish somebody would dig around in the archives at HBO and find the original tapes of this and release it in good quality. This VHS copy is the only one I've ever seen shared.

[@yxyxs]

1080p would rule so hard.

[@Robard65]

Throws card at the melon: “This scares the melon.” Throws another card at the melon: “This wounds the melon.” Throws bunch of cards at the melon: “This pisses me off.” 😂😂 Briljant magician.

[@JJ-kl7eq]

He is one of the reasons House of Games is a favorite movie. Ricky has left the building. RIP

[@xmarksthespot1372]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone so calm and collected like this before. True confidence.

[@shawnr771]

RIP. One of the greatest of all time.

[@PyongyangJim]

And now for his final trick...be seeing you Mr. Jay.

[@captainmarkgray8856]

Well said Jim. Capt Mark Gray AKA "Marcus"

[@dlxmarks]

Now younger magicians are reminiscing about Ricky Jay like he did about Charlie Miller and Dai Vernon. He belongs to the ages.

[@miamimagicians]

It was great to see Ricky Jay perform and to be alive and say I saw Ricky Jay

[@tricky2055]

Fuck! Didn’t know he died till I saw this post. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!

[@dairymuffin]

@@tricky2055 same;(

[@LandondeeL]

Ricky Jay was a triple-threat talent: 1] He was gifted in the art of legerdemain, 2] He was a master prestidigitatior, 3] He was a good magician.

[@swaninabox1488]

I'd double it and add: 4] He was gifted in the art of paralinguistics. 5] He was a master prosodist. 6] He was a good orator. But we are only really waxing lyrical about a mere two strings, attached to this man's bow.

[@JorshWarshington1]

He, unlike me, definitely knew what those words mean.

[@strongman914]

Haha are you guys trying to be funny cause this is classic

[@heightsofsagarmatha]

He also said use words I have to look up, or couldn't tell the meaning by the context

[@brandonbailey8649]

@@JorshWarshington1 You will too. Your willingness to make that comment proves it.

[@coalhalo]

A master giving a display of his craft, for the enjoyment and amazement of those lucky enough to witness the show. Mr Ricky Jay was a true titan in his chosen profession, and also found success in other areas such as film, and Hollywood films at that. So when the headlines announced that Ricky Jay had died today, I was momentarily saddened. His death marks the passing of another rare breed, a man close to uniqueness due to his mastery of his interests. I remember watching this show when it originally aired on HBO when I was a kid and I was utterly entranced by his performance just as I am now all these years later.

[@Redmenace96]

@28 min the snatching of 2 cards out of the air is an amazing trick! An uncle of mine was a professional gambler, and his advice to us kids was never play the game. Card cheats are called, "mechanics" and Ricky Jay is here to show you that you don't stand a chance.

[@The_Wrath_of_Conn]

Thank you for everything you have done for me Mr. Jay i never really did magic but you taught to be eloquent, a gentleman, a scholar, never sell myself short, and always be the light in the room! You will truly be missed, I’m glad you get to be with all your mentors again. They would all be so proud of how you carried on their legacies. R.I.P Mr. Jay ❤️❤️❤️

[@acadm]

After watching this many times, I find myself applauding when the audience applauds

[@channelwoodgrange]

Studying his presentation style has certainly benefited me professionally over the nearly 25 years since this came out. It'll be a lifelong regret that I never got to see or thank him in person. Thanks, Ricky. Thanks for keeping the flame of the esoteric alive.

[@mphlohi]

Bless you Ricky Jay, you were a one-of-a-kind legend in your own time, and you will continue to be one after your time. Enjoy heaven & keep God & everyone else entertained up there with your tricks.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

Ricky Jay was, and will always be, the Greatest of all Time

[@mjl1966y]

And now I've figured out the 2 of clubs routine. That is an elaborate routine with a very clever setup... his card control is phenomenal. The Queens are still bugging me. I figured out how the four Queens "get together" but how he makes them go away from the other three piles still eludes me. But even when you figure some of it out, the showmanship is still great to watch. If I had ever had the chance to meet him, I wouldn't have said something like "Hey, I saw how you X Y and Z..." Instead, I'd just say, "It doesn't really matter, does it?" He had a genuine love for the art.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

That’s the beauty of magic isn’t it? It’s not so much about wanting to find out how they did it, it’s wanting to be fooled with the suspension of disbelief.

[@johnwakefield8570]

I love the sound of Ricky opening a fresh, sealed .. unbroken deck of playing cards. The crinkling of the plastic wrapping .. all comfortable, all homey .. he knows those cards intimately even before opening the pack; and they, him ..

[@bigkush8572]

The great Malini Xfiles episode one of my favorites.

[@Carl6801force]

I am mesmerized. This was the definition of class, the act, the audience , all of it. Especially the performer. What a legend.

[@OfficialPhazeMusic]

I love Ricky jay.. so eloquent in his articulation. A true wordsmith. I love people who can talk like that, they can make any boring concept sound so interesting

[@thomasmcmaster3016]

Magnolia wouldn’t be magnolia without Ricky Jays voice in the first 5 minutes.

[@stiltomonkey6137]

I knew nothing about Ricky Jay until he guest starred an an episode of X-Files. He was great on the show so i had to look into him and his shows. The guy was awesome.

[@rawlinsonboy]

That cups and balls routine is truly amazing, RIP Ricky Jay

[@MrSpooner1985]

Ive watched this dozens and dozens of times since the 90’s and its still amazing to watch; the part with the cups and balls at the end, along with the story is so captivating to watch and id have loved to see this in person.

[@yuriydisman6829]

Wow. This never gets old. He was a class act.

[@nathankerns6501]

Speechcraft 100 Illusion 100 Pickpocket 100

[@harrisondalrymple6053]

Conjuring 100

[@Bardon222]

lyfe is like bideo game

[@quannky5662]

Dont forget Archery 100 (card throwing)

[@pumpkinhead5595]

Nerd

[@quannky5662]

@@pumpkinhead5595 no, just someone who likes a game

[@GFXMOD]

This is just perfect. I miss those good old times' vibes.

[@danhollis2962]

Ricky was truly one of a kind. I instantly became a fan when I saw this special back in 96' on HBO. Just like George Carlin was the most 'cerebral' comedian ever, same can be said for Ricky J as a magician...RIP and God Bless (Saint Peter, pick a card, any card.....)

[@YannickHuet]

Le meilleur de tous les temps en tant que Cartomane, à regarder sans aucune modération avec ce grand monsieur qu'était Ricky Jay ! Yannick Magic.

[@daemonartursson7159]

First time I heard of Ricky Jay was in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies where he is Criminally under used. A fantastic entertainer. RIP Maestro.

[@coreyengwall6779]

He was also in one episode of The X-Files.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

He had cut scenes in that film where his henchman character is using cards as weapons! He also played Kurt Longjohn the cameraman in Boogie Nights that same year and teamed up with Paul Thomas Anderson again for a role in Magnolia including that wonderful opening narration!

[@zero_kelvin_]

I literaly watched this a thousand times. Its like music to my ears..

[@jm71681]

OMFG, I saw this special when it aired, I to this day absolutely love watching it, and all these years, an almost verbatim memory of the dialogue throughout, I forgot Ricky asking "Who killed Laura Palmer," (32:09) and me having no idea what that meant. All these years later, I understand, and I know 🤣

[@F3PIZZA]

RIP Ricky. Thank you.

[@mrbigg151]

My goodness, I've always enjoyed his shows. Another great that's gone too soon.

[@5192aaron]

What a performer. What an artist. What an absolute legend in magic. We of the magician community will miss you, Ricky Jay.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

I came across Ricky Jay through his sporadic film appearances in Boogie Nights and Magnolia with PTA and The Prestige with Christopher Nolan, and by sheer chance I discovered his acclaimed magic career which I had no idea of!! Truly a brilliant magician with possibly the greatest sleight-of-hand!!

[@tylertremblay1771]

For anyone wondering how his routine that started at 23:48 worked, asking audience members to "stop" to pick a card... he showed them the card at the bottom of the deck every time, making it look like he was flipping it to show the card he "stopped" at... he never really knew any of the cards they picked until they said them out loud, he just knew where he stashed them after flashing it to them in the first place.

[@lawrencelimburger9160]

he could have thrown cards at the melon the whole way through and it would Still have been one of the best videos on youtube!

[@usmi921]

A big fan of yours. You sir are the master of those 52 cards. Its not even close. Thank you for the memories Master Ricky Jay!

[@miked4377]

this is an absolute master of cards......pound for pound the great' ricky jay'

[@ChrisHanel]

RIP, you beautiful liar.

[@jyesucevitz]

I wish back in the day I didn't assume only flashy magicians like Henning, Copperfield, P&T and Lance were the only type of magic worth watching. dont mistake my references as an insult. I love them as much now as ever. Richard Turner and Ricky Jay were and are every bit as magical. Rest in peace Ricky.

[@Napthalicious]

Ricky was not a magician, he was a mechanic. A magician knows where your card is, a mechanic knows where every card is.

[@Napthalicious]

The cups and balls were just a final flourish, I easily followed most of it. The story he told was actually far more fascinating than the trick was. The watermelon he kept hitting the same spot over and over until the rind softened enough to accept a corner. Got all that. But the counting? Insanely brilliant! A true master of the art. Think of it this way: Brand new deck, in order, ace through king; spade, heart, club, diamond. If I cut it exactly in half, and riffle it exactly every other card, my top four cards will be ace/ace/two/two, spades and clubs. My bottom four will be queen/queen/king/king, hearts and diamonds. The four in the middle would then be the king of spades/king of clubs/ace of hearts/ace of diamonds, with corresponding queens and twos and jacks and threes above and below and etc.. Keep doing this exponentially and you will realize that the deck is never truly shuffled, it's always stacked. Another way to look at it is like a Rubick's Cube, the very best can do it blindfolded in a matter of seconds. How? It's an algorithm, so many turns in certain directions automatically puts it back in order. He even says "31 down" as he pulls off exactly 31 cards and reveals an ace and then says something about probability as he pulls out another one. Mind-blowing...

[@simonjohansson1497]

Ricky and slydini these guys just gives so much joy, even though i have seen this multiple times i just cant stop it.

[@TDo280199]

That routine with the signed King of Spade is magic at its best: a wonderful mix of entertainment and sleight of hands. This guy is a true master.

[@ScoopWinthorpe]

42:45 A simulacrum of the Australian boomerang. 😂😂 I love his dry humor!

[@Whitpusmc]

I am pissed that I will never see this in person. But I will still enjoy and care not how it’s done but marvel at it in wonder.

[@thearkedcrown]

Loved this guy's classic look and personality

[@michaellinner7772]

The nonchalance of a seasoned professional. Ricky Jay, always classy.

[@godbluffvdgg]

He was great in Deadwood, I had no idea he was such a mechanic!

[@tybball]

This man just had to tell a history lesson and the crowd laughed, thinking he was making things up. This is what we call eating out of the palm of your hands. "The Little man of Nuremberg" crowd laughs

[@wadet2752]

Love his work with David Mamet ; The Heist. Also in The X-Files episode "The Amazing Maleeni"

[@ricardocastillo5485]

The greatest. He was so great, we almost didn't even deserve him.

[@kingxerocole4616]

Shout out to the audience. Pure joy and respect.

[@davidt8438]

Forget the cards, his ability to memorize that arcane phrasing during the demonstration is magical.

[@EzraClaverie]

"This requires... practice."

[@trstmeimadctr]

HBO needs to put a bunch of their old stuff like this on Max. So few people had HBO back then that a lot of the shows from the era are very nearly lost media

[@rickintexas1584]

Thanks! I never had the pleasure of seeing Ricky Jay live. It is ironic, because my name is Rick and my brother is Jay. It would have been great to see him perform with my brother.

[@malachigrindle7063]

Rest in peace sir.

[@randyporter3491]

I usually detest card tricks, like toothaches and canned meat, but I could watch him for hours. A true master of magic and verbal prestidigitation. I met him many times and attended a number of his lectures at various magic conventions. Amazing performer.🎭

[@flhmax4953]

God what a performer. Completely floored am I.

[@NYCCollector7648]

have been searching for a copy of this for years - THANKS for this.

[@shail6770]

Incredible skill. Thanks for posting!

[@infinitonica2362]

Mastery on every level.... enjoyed every moment. Thanks for sharing, what an inspiration!

[@Whatsamattau2]

…genius. Incredible skill.

[@youdoitillwatch]

This happens to be the only thing I ever bothered to record on a VCR, back in the 90s when it first appeared (on HBO, if memory serves).

[@manusoftar]

RIP Ricky Jay, you'll be missed a lot sir.

[@pablofonseca13411]

He was such a brilliant mind and a very intelligent person.. intellectual for sure.. in his conversations that were extremely genuine and a sort of genius...

[@Venumus9]

A master of the form and an appreciative audience that you can tell he appreciated in turn. Masterpiece

[@squintygreeneyes]

here i am, seen all episodes of deadwood and i practice some cardistry and never knew Ricky Jay was an actual magician #mindblown

[@daverenick4782]

a unique genius...a wonderful sort of man...in his own category really....truly interesting...I wish i had met and talked to him for while...He grew up when people were still people.....would've surely been an honor and a learning experience to meet him.......

[@chromersv]

Rip to this great man.

[@saltsulfurmercury]

This is ridiculous. The unit is was one of my shows, and he played a CIA agent in quite a few episodes but there was one where he showed a glimpse of his sleight of hand talent, but now seeing this, does it that much more justice for me

[@lloydprock8873]

Ricky Jay was a master of his craft, a truly epic performer....RIP.

[@bronsteinrick]

RIP, he was the best, won’t ever be anyone like him.

[@konroh2]

The showmanship is incredible. But I like to try to see the secret. The signed King card magically appears in the new deck. There is a clue from the camera work, I could give a time stamp for those whose imagination of knowing doesn't ruin the blissful magical ignorance. I pray Ricky that you're being blessed by God, that you truly do know the Magical One.

[@anonpre2000]

Absolutely amazing!