Has Criss Angel gone too far in his attempt to raise the dead on Spike TV’s ‘Believe’?

By Robin Leach (contact)

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013 | 11:06 a.m.

Has Criss Angel gone too far? The “Believe” magician is ready for the firestorm of controversy certain to erupt as a result of tonight’s Spike TV episode titled “Raise the Dead.”

Criss’s incredible levitation of legendary NBA giant Shaquille O’Neal 60 feet above the ground lightens the telecast, but Criss knows that he’s certain to face criticism, outrage and scrutiny for his off-kilter activity with a day-old cadaver.

He admits that Nevada is one of the very few states where he could conduct this experiment with life in the hereafter for his new Spike series.

“I know this is going to ruffle many feathers,” Criss told me. “I’m ready to face it head on. I really wanted to know if one could make contact with a person right after their death.

“I know that religious people might get very upset with this, but I think everybody, if they were honest, would admit that they are curious about what happens when they die.”

Be sure to tune in tonight; his results are fascinating and frightening.

Meantime, Criss is fighting serious shoulder pain — as I reported on Sunday — but plans to still go ahead with the final 11th one-hour episode titled “Trinity” that will be broadcast live from Las Vegas in December.

Criss celebrates the fifth anniversary of his Cirque du Soleil headliner show “Believe” at Luxor on Wednesday night. “Believe” closes for three months starting in January as Criss recovers from shoulder surgery.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow Sun A&E Senior Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.