Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Mike, Minneapolis, MN on January 22, 2010:

I saw their show in Vegas about 6 years ago and loved it, too. Penn was kind enough to record my cell voice mail greeting after the show. "This is Penn with Penn & Teller. You've reached Mike's phone. Now leave him a message or leave him alone!"

---

And here I thought standing up for photos with everyone was going beyond the call of duty! -rc

Posted by Jeff, Seattle on January 22, 2010:

I was picked for that trick also! Still have the bullet, shell, and ticket stub with Penn & Teller's autographs on it somewhere. Haven't figured out the trick, but I was entertained. It was cool to be up on stage!

Do they still invite people up on stage before the show starts to sign an envelope and inspect a big wood box while Penn plays jazz on the bass?

---

Yes, they do. And I'd guess virtually no one realized it was Penn playing the bass. -rc

Posted by Stormy, Calif. on January 22, 2010:

Teller is an "illusion historian" of some renowned and Penn certainly knows his stuff. The "catch the bullet" trick has been around a long time, I remember seeing it as a kid on Ed Sullivan. But being Penn & Teller, they take it up 5 notches. It's great you got to see this amazing trick up close and personal.

Posted by David, Canada on January 22, 2010:

I've also seen somewhere detailing how this trick is done step by step, pretty simple and yes, you and Penn have it right, it's all just illusions. Having a friend who is a "magician" who has taught me a few "magic tricks", I know (and had to understand before he taught me the tricks) the "Magician's Code" - never reveal how a trick is done. You seem to have abided by the code - good thing, I don't want to have Bozo the Hitman come after you....

Posted by Ross - Marlborough, MA on January 22, 2010:

I'm a shooter, too, and I've done my own reloading. The marks on your bullet are NOT from a crimp die - they definitely are diagonal, and in a reloading press the bullet is pushed straight done into the shell cartridge... and there's not enough pressure while seating the bullet for it to mark the bullet. And the bullet never goes UP in the crimp die far enough to make those marks, either.

Nope, those are markings from the bullet going through a rifled barrel. Which means I have absolutely NO idea how that trick was done. The only thing I AM sure about is that at some period in time, that slug went through a rifled barrel.

---

I'm not sure what you're seeing, but I don't see any diagonal marks. The marks on the bullet (and seen in the photo) are clearly straight, back toward nose. But I've never done reloading, so am anything but an expert on what marks are naturally there from hand loading the cartridges. -rc

Posted by Brian, California on January 22, 2010:

Just one question: if Teller caught the bullet you initialed, wouldn't Penn's gun have the shell you wrote on to be ejected? And vice versa? The gun held by one illusionist, with the writing by civilian A, should fire the bullet to be caught by the OTHER illusionist…. So one should have your cartridge, and the other the bullet!

---

The "he"'s may be unclear in the description, but I got my bullet from Teller's mouth, and my shell from Penn's gun, and the lady cop vice versa. -rc

Posted by John, Texas on January 22, 2010:

I am amused that Penn always has his tie off by about the fifth row as he is running off stage, and, I just love Teller, he's great! See you in July guys.

Posted by Art, Missoula MT on January 22, 2010:

A while back (80's?) P&T did a TV series showing how tricks worked. Each week they'd do one. They did the bullet trick - at that time they were doing it with just one gun.

The "Trick" solution given in the show was 1) shoot over the target's head, 2) use cameras and markers to copy the text.

Another great episode was when they ran over Teller's chest with the wheels of a semi-trailer. On the reverse side of the trailer (away from audience and camera) was a huge lever-and-counterweight system that left only about 20 pounds weight on the camera-side tires.

It was a fun show! I wish I remembered more of it.

Even with ILM making space travel a reality on the big screen, I still find there is nothing quite like the buzz I get from a live performance. I'm glad you found the time to catch one this great!

Posted by Colleen ,Bound Brook NJ on January 23, 2010:

Pish, OF COURSE Teller TALKS! Can't teach High School Latin without talking...At that time, we all thought his name was MISTER Teller. This was back before "Asparagus Valley Cultural Society" and "Aqueous Fowle", and before Mr Gillette. If you meet Teller again, Randy, let him know that the Lawrence High Class of '73 says hello!

Posted by Jackie, VA on January 23, 2010:

Penn is a master at "reading" people; he knows who to choose as an onstage participant. He was correct to choose you -- you followed directions onstage, you were credible to the rest of the audience, and most importantly, you treated the magic with respect, both onstage and afterwards.

As the wife of a professional stage illusionist, I agree with you and Penn that magic is an illusion created in the mind. All audience members are not just observers, but actually a very important part of every show. When an audience suspends belief in favor of letting themselves be entertained, it's very "magical" indeed!

Thanks for taking the "high road" and writing about the interesting adventure of being onstage with P&T, rather than overly conjecturing on the banal details of "how it was done". Of course it was a trick. But when you let yourself enjoy being fooled -- it's magic.