Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Burton making TV name for himself

Magician Lance Burton will star in another NBC special, "Hidden Secrets of Magic," taped in Las Vegas for a May 18 showing during sweeps month.

Burton also is featured on a PBS special paying tribute to his early idol in the field of magic, Channing Pollock. Burton and Pollock appear together on the program, which was taped in Las Vegas in April for showing later this year.

Burton's first solo TV special, "Master Magician: The Legend Begins," resulted in the special's co-producer Gary Pudney tapping him to star in the "Hidden Secrets" special. The "Master Magician" special attracted an audience of nearly 30 million.

"We are actively developing Lance as a television magic star for NBC," Pudney said. "He has a real broad, sexy approach to his art. He gives family entertainment that is not just directed at kids."

Pudney has signed Burton for three more TV magic specials to follow "Hidden Secrets."

Houdini's most dangerous "mystery" -- and one considered by his fellow magicians to be jinxed, even 70 years after the master escape artist's death -- is the one attempted by Burton in the scenic Valley of Fire outside Las Vegas. Burton is placed in an airtight coffin, sealed and buried alive.

If he survives, Burton will move into the new Monte Carlo hotel-casino in July. He will introduce several new illusions and effects in his own Lance Burton Theater.

Lance Burton

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