Parents' Guide to

Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Illusionist how-tos are fun for curious families.

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A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 8+

Based on 3 parent reviews

80sKid
80sKid Parent of 6-year-old
July 17, 2019
age 8+
The show really captivates my 6 year old boy who has a budding interest in magic performances. The tricks are explained very thoroughly in a way that makes it clear to him. The narrator makes a lot of thinly-veiled compliments about the attractive female assistants, often in an unironically creepy tone. The assistants are also dressed and often treated as stereotypical Vegas eye-candy. Fortunately, I think these things are lost on my young one but I make it up to him showing him lots of shows with positive female protagonists and role-models who aren't sexualized. Take this into consideration before showing your child. There is also some danger with "don't try this at home" type stunts, involving blades, swords, explosives and heights. For this reason I'd recommend it is not for very young children and talking to your child to make sure they understand these things are very dangerous and are only to be done by adult professionals.

This title has:

Too much sex
dthomson
dthomson Adult
November 25, 2018
age 14+

Completely full of chauvinist sexual innuendo.

If degrading women and dozens of sexual innuendos about scantily clad assistants is something you feel your kids should be exposed to, go for it.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MAGIC'S BIGGEST SECRETS FINALLY REVEALED, a professional magician lifts the cover on some of the trade's most impressive illusions. Like the original series from 1998, this version stars illusionist Val Valentino as the Masked Magician, who takes viewers behind the scenes to discover how the pros make assistants disappear, catch bullets in their teeth, and walk through steel walls. The series also includes tutorials that teach viewers simple party tricks like making a toothpick disappear and pressing a cap through a glass bottle.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (4 ):

First, a word of caution: If you like being mystified by magic and illusions, then this series will be a major letdown. By the end of one 60-minute episode, not only will you be an expert on the stunts you've seen revealed, but you'll come to view any others you see in the future with a highly critical eye. The narrator's explanations of how the pros use lighting, props, and assistants to channel an audience's attention toward -- and away from -- certain aspects of a trick means that from this day forward, you'll find yourself analyzing every move a magician makes to discover what it hides.

But if you crave knowing the tricks of the illusionary trade, then this riveting series is for you -- and with virtually no worrisome content, it's a great choice for families with older kids and up. Magic aficionados of all ages will also enjoy the show's how-to sessions that break down simple tricks that they themselves can use to amaze their friends. Just be sure you restate to kids the obvious caution against trying the more dangerous tricks (those involving buzz saws, for instance) on their own.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how performers control the image that they present to audiences. What kinds of tricks do illusionists use to shock their viewers? How is this made easier by using cameras for a recorded show? Does that strike you as dishonest, or is it just the nature of entertainment?

  • How are camera tricks used to create an image for celebrities? How do the images you see on television or in magazines affect your idea of beauty?

  • Talk about Valentino's decision to break the magicians' code. Why do you think he made this series? How do you think other professional illusionists feel about what he's done?

TV Details

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