Ben Seidman Reveals His Secrets: Interview
Close-up comedy magician Ben Seidman swings by to answer our questions!
We're on a mission to ask every great magician the same ten questions. This week, it's the wonderful Ben Seidman. You might have seen him as a guest star on the Netflix Original Brainchild produced by Pharrell, on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, or even in his two specials on Travel Channel. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Seidman has been wowing audiences for years, and it's no wonder why. He was the highest-rated performer for Princess Cruises and won the title of Entertainer of the Year. Plus, he's the only person in history to be named the Resident Magician at Mandalay Bay, Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. After thousands of performances at luxury casinos, Seidman became known as a powerful staple of the Vegas entertainment scene.
Before his residency at Mandalay Bay, Seidman spent three seasons consulting for Mindfreak on A&E, designing illusions for Criss Angel. And now, based in Los Angeles, he continues to travel the world, bringing his one-man show to audiences everywhere.
Ben was kind enough to humour us and answer our questions.
When were you most starstruck?
Robin Williams once came to a show that I was on. He came backstage after and hung out for 45 minutes. It was bonkers.
What is your favourite magic trick?
Linking rings, obviously. HOW DOES IT WORK!??
Who is the most famous person you could text right now?
Probably Johnny Knoxville.
Do you have a nickname?
Most people don’t know this, but my legal name is actually Flusterbug Pigenflop. Ben Seidman is actually just my stage name.
Has a trick you perform ever gone wrong?
Of course. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. Or not taking risks.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
"Let me get this straight… I auditioned for the role of “myself”, and I didn’t get the part?! But to add insult to injury I have to pick the person who is cast??! Fine. Idris Alba.
(For the record, the part was offered to Jesse Eisenberg, and he turned it down)"
How much is a pint of thumb tips?
My lawyer says that I must decline to answer.
When were you most fooled by a magic trick?
Every time I see linking rings. I still don’t know how that works!!
What books do you recommend?
I’m really into erotic fan fiction written about the Tarbell Course in magic. I can’t actually read, but I like the pictures.
Where is the strangest place you've ever performed magic?
An anarchist collective in a squatters' house.
Follow Ben on Instagram.
