Inside Magic

Not This Kind of Angel

Both Variety and Multichannel News are reporting this morning Criss Angel is an essential part of A&E’s effort to attract younger viewers.

A&E has purchased 13 of the one-hour episodes starring Criss Angel in what the network describes as “a 360-degree look at the life, work and performances of this very telegenic man. Here, we?re adding a performance element that will blow your mind to the cinema verit? approach we?ve taken with our other docusoaps.?

We had heard rumors of this series but this is the first time A&E has confirmed the purchase and intention to air the show.

Mr. Angel’s show is set to begin in July to join “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” and “Growing Up Gotti.” Network spokesfolk will roll-out their plans at Thursday’s important Advertiser Upfront (a presentation by networks to entice sponsors to pre-buy commercial time). The presentation for ad-buyers will be held at the skating rink at New York’s Rockefeller Center.

The network proclaimed Criss Angel as the ?master illusionist working today.” The illusionist is expected to appear and perform at the Upfront this evening.

With Mr. Angel on-board, A&E intends to become a top-five service for delivering adults ages 18-49 and 25-54 by the end of 2006. If successful, this would lower A&E’s median-age viewer by ten years.

Master Toddy, a martial arts instructor, has posted photos of Mr. Angel filming stunts for the new show.

The network has options to purchase additional episodes of the show.

We’ll keep you up-to-date on the buzz and, we hope, the behind-the-scenes info.

Good luck to Mr. Angel and two of our friends who will appear in the series.

Continue reading A&E Network Skews Young With Criss Angel