Abracababble 200: Fresh From FISM with Alex Ramon.
Added 2025-07-29 08:01:02 +0000 UTCAlex Ramon, home from Italy, takes time with Babblers to break down his time at FISM. How it all went down, why he went to the "Olympics of Magic", some of the controversies from the competition, would he go again, how the judges broke down acts and more! Kris Bentz who competed in a brand new FISM category also stopped in to share some of his thoughts.
Comments
So many stories! I want them on my podcast!
The Mind Noodler
2025-08-15 05:51:30 +0000 UTCOh, and I agree with Alex about shows like America’s Got Talent. I got myself on the show back in 2015, I had no illusions of trying to win it (I was on the year that had Piff, Oz Pearlman and Derek Hughes!). I got all yes votes and a great highlight reel, which is exactly what I was looking for.
Where is Xakary the Magician
2025-08-15 05:23:47 +0000 UTCI attended FISM in 2000 in Portugal, not as a competitor. I wasn’t really performing back then, I was producing a large magic show at a venue I owned in Seattle, but I had a magician working for me (and we hired John Lovick to direct it—we can talk about that story sometime). I loved the entire experience, especially the hangouts after hours. Every evening Juan Tamariz hung out basically in a hallway holding court. This was before I knew who he was. It was unbelievable, and I definitely knew who he was by the end of FISM. There were some acts that I couldn’t figure out how they got into the competition (so many zombie acts!), but for the most part it was absolutely amazing. Scott and Muriel won the Grand Prix award with their comedy magic that year.
Where is Xakary the Magician
2025-08-15 05:17:15 +0000 UTCWell said on that last part. I’ll consider the first part 😬
The Mind Noodler
2025-07-29 17:49:44 +0000 UTCHonestly Matt should enter- he has a strong chance of winning the North American regional contest (in 2027) and would be a serious contender in the world championships. As someone who is very involved in multiple “national” teams every single one of them started with one or two individuals in that area making a choice to support contestants and then over multiple FISM cycles grew the team and eventually got government / society support for it. Like all competitive events and national “teams” it’s a long long term project with many steps rather than a random government just deciding to pump cash into something. (Also, I; like many many other people) was backstage helping contestants from many different teams- we all agree that the most important thing is that the magic is presented in the best possible way and that any progress any team makes is actually progress for us all.
Thomas Moore
2025-07-29 17:45:21 +0000 UTC
