But how are his Half-Naked Assistants?
The only problem with Penn & Teller is that they have no Half-Naked Assistants. I feel that Blaine is merely a nincompoop.
I have seen him live, once. I’d heard from others who saw a different show but the same run that he did use the “plants” – i.e., latecomers he could berate for interrupting his show.
But the main illusion of the evening, the capper of it all, the grand finale, was supposed to be a huge snowstorm ONSTAGE.
I prepared ahead of time, wearing a cloak with a hood in case it got cold. Sure enough, he made some huge introduction, built it up enormously, and then…
Snow!!! It started to snow! It started…
to rain soapsuds down on the audience. Little bits of soapsuds, which, admittedly, looked like snow, but as soon as they got close enough, spoiled not only the illusion but the “magic” of the moment. I was quite miffed.
Incidentally, is it only me, or was his earlier stuff more “fun” and uplifting? It seems to me that about 10 years ago his “magic” got much darker and more sinister. I don’t like him NEARLY as much as I used to. (I confess I had a crush on him back in my high school days – he was cute, then.) Now, he turns my stomach with his meanspirited tricks.
And what’s up with the Dicken’s name, anyway??
Fair enough. I have no problem with that – “I just don’t like his illusions” is a fair criticism. No details or airdates are required. The reasons you gave were my arguing point – for instance, that he uses trick photography (he doesn’t) or that his illusions were simply explained (they’re not).
But if you stick with just “I don’t like his illusions”, I’m OK with that. 
(I’m sure you’re breathing a huge sigh of relief, right? An anonymous doper is OK with your opinion. :D)