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Published on: 4/4/2005
Last Visited: 5/4/2007
Kevin McMahon - Faker No More
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Kevin McMahon was a studying at the UK's Institute of Physics when producers recruited subjects for the reality show.His trek from a 'timid Kevin' to faking it as a top magician just four weeks later made for compelling television.
The Scotsman described the transformation thusly: "He left the Capital a diffident, tongue-tied wallflower and after several cringe-worthy scenes returned a confident, convincing illusionist - and a ladies? man.Now Kevin has permanently hung up his white lab coat in favour of becoming a full-time magician."
Said Mr. McMahon, "I wasn?t satisfied with my career, knew I didn?t want to be doing this [physics] and just thought I?d give it a try.I just wanted some fun."
The show brought Mr. McMahon to London to study under professional magician, Nigel Mead.
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In the second week, Kevin worked under his new mentor, comedy magician Mandy Muden.
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Her job was to teach Mr. McMahon how to be funny.Talk about a tough job.
He said: "We were practising when I realised I was going to perform that night.
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The show even flew Mr. McMahon to Las Vegas where he met with Penn and Teller.Unfortunately, Mr. McMahon wasn't prepared for the meeting.Assuming he would only be watching the masters perform, he elected to get drunk and return to his room at 6:00 am.When he met with Penn and Teller a few hours later, he fell flat.