Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Just Asking Questions
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Print Subscription
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

His "Disappearing Foie Gras" Trick Is in Trouble, Too

Radley Balko | 3.13.2008 2:07 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

On his blog, a professional magician says he may have to discontinue a trick in which he borrows a pack of cigarettes from his audience. 

Reason:  The last time he tried the trick, no one had a pack.

(Hat tip: Jacob Grier)

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Study Says Red Light Cameras Cause Death, Mayhem, Acne

Radley Balko is a journalist at The Washington Post.

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Hide Comments (11)

Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.

  1. Guy Montag   18 years ago

    If he was performing in DC I can understand. Other than at the occasional Reasonid gatherings, I seem to be the only person who brings cigarettes into DC.

  2. Franklin Harris   18 years ago

    You mean the guy in the audience isn't a plant? Damn. I thought I had that trick figured out.

  3. Aresen   18 years ago

    You mean the guy in the audience isn't a plant?

    There msy be a few vegetables and some fruit.

  4. The Amazing Whizzarro   18 years ago

    I had to stop doing my "Watch me catch a bullet in my mouth" trick because wusses stopped carrying concealed, too.

    After Heller v. DC, though, I'll be back.

  5. Anonymo the Anonymous   18 years ago

    "Illusion." A trick is something a whore does for money!

  6. GG   18 years ago

    The last time he tried the trick, no one had a pack.

    Hardly a surprise. The anti-smoking nazis abused science, taxed to the hilt, legislated away property rights, nagged and shamed, and made second-class citizens of smokers by discriminating against them and relegating them to the streets and back alleys. In short, they took all the fun out of it.

    "His "Disappearing Foie Gras" Trick Is in Trouble, Too"

    Uber-sexy punk rock chef Anthony Bourdain always smokes after he eats foie gras.

    (I would thoroughly enjoy seeing the lovely reason ladies on "No Reservations" to discuss politically incorrect foods, and have him whip up some dishes for giant Burmese python, jellyfish and other invasive species.)

  7. Charlie Foxtrot   18 years ago

    The only people who go to magic shows are dorks who aren't cool enough to smoke anyways.

  8. Art-P.O.G.   18 years ago

    "Illusion." A trick is something a whore does for money!

    GOB Bluth! GOB Bluth! What do I win?

  9. LarryA   18 years ago

    A trick is something a whore does for money!

    A trick is something someone a whore does for money!

  10. cgee   18 years ago

    Yeah, the guy in the $4,000 suit is gonna bring a pack of cigs for a magician who doesn't even make that in a month.

    COME ON!

  11. Jake   18 years ago

    Tim Ellis gets over $4,000 per SHOW.

    cgee has no idea...

Please log in to post comments

Mute this user?

  • Mute User
  • Cancel

Ban this user?

  • Ban User
  • Cancel

Un-ban this user?

  • Un-ban User
  • Cancel

Nuke this user?

  • Nuke User
  • Cancel

Un-nuke this user?

  • Un-nuke User
  • Cancel

Flag this comment?

  • Flag Comment
  • Cancel

Un-flag this comment?

  • Un-flag Comment
  • Cancel

Latest

Trump's Proposed Ban on Institutional Investors Owning Single-Family Homes Would Make No One Better Off

Christian Britschgi | 1.8.2026 5:35 PM

The Minnesota Fraud Scandal Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Veronique de Rugy | 1.8.2026 4:35 PM

Venezuelan Socialist Regime Announces Release of a 'Number of Important' Political Prisoners

César Báez | 1.8.2026 3:39 PM

Why Insulting Brigitte Macron Online Can Mean Prison Time in France

Jack Nicastro | 1.8.2026 2:49 PM

Elon Musk Said Rand Paul Is the One Person in Washington Who 'Gets It'

Billy Binion | 1.8.2026 12:33 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

r

I WANT FREE MINDS AND FREE MARKETS!

Help Reason push back with more of the fact-based reporting we do best. Your support means more reporters, more investigations, and more coverage.

Make a donation today! No thanks
r

I WANT TO FUND FREE MINDS AND FREE MARKETS

Every dollar I give helps to fund more journalists, more videos, and more amazing stories that celebrate liberty.

Yes! I want to put my money where your mouth is! Not interested
r

SUPPORT HONEST JOURNALISM

So much of the media tries telling you what to think. Support journalism that helps you to think for yourself.

I’ll donate to Reason right now! No thanks
r

PUSH BACK

Push back against misleading media lies and bad ideas. Support Reason’s journalism today.

My donation today will help Reason push back! Not today
r

HELP KEEP MEDIA FREE & FEARLESS

Back journalism committed to transparency, independence, and intellectual honesty.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

STAND FOR FREE MINDS

Support journalism that challenges central planning, big government overreach, and creeping socialism.

Yes, I’ll support Reason today! No thanks
r

PUSH BACK AGAINST SOCIALIST IDEAS

Support journalism that exposes bad economics, failed policies, and threats to open markets.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

FIGHT BAD IDEAS WITH FACTS

Back independent media that examines the real-world consequences of socialist policies.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

BAD ECONOMIC IDEAS ARE EVERYWHERE. LET’S FIGHT BACK.

Support journalism that challenges government overreach with rational analysis and clear reasoning.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Support journalism that challenges centralized power and defends individual liberty.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

BACK JOURNALISM THAT PUSHES BACK AGAINST SOCIALISM

Your support helps expose the real-world costs of socialist policy proposals—and highlight better alternatives.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

FIGHT BACK AGAINST BAD ECONOMICS.

Donate today to fuel reporting that exposes the real costs of heavy-handed government.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks