Angel strapped in his Mindfreak season premiere efforts at Lake LV

By Robin Leach

Monday, June 23, 2008 | 8:01 a.m.

Mindfreak magician Criss Angel has had to shuffle the launch of his new TV-season in order to ensure nothing goes wrong with the most dangerous escape stunt he’s ever attempted. Originally the July 23 debut of Mindfreak 4 was to feature a death-defying live broadcast from Florida. Instead the premiere will now be his attempt to ”walk on water’” out at Lake Mead just 30 minutes from the Strip.

Then one week later, on July 30, Criss will attempt the insane “dice with death” live broadcast. Most of the details are still wrapped in total super-secrecy, but Luxe Life has learned the TV special will be titled “Implosion.” Cameras will be run inside a building where Criss will be locked and secured to show him right up until the moment of a massive explosion as the building is blown up. To add to the incredible danger it’s his first-ever ticking clock countdown within a timed and controlled 60-minute broadcast window.

Newly solo Criss has given up girlfriends while under tremendous time pressures launching the new Mindfreak series as he has also just begun the intense schedule of rehearsals inside his new Luxor theater for Believe -- the Cirque du Soleil magic spectacular premiering in September. He only has a few days -- six at most -- to fly to Florida, prepare the illusion, execute it and hopefully get back unscathed to Vegas to continue working on the Cirque technical challenges.