I'm taking the trick as presented, but if they edited out the first part where he could have picked the card, that's just a cheat. Worse than a plant even. Lame magician if that's the best he can do for a trick.
Like I said, I knew you wouldn't feel better. Magic is awesome because it is impossible. The secrets suck because they are not. If you want a secret that is going to live up to the impossibility, you're going to have a bad time.
There is a very strong principle behind the technique mentioned and there are ways it can be used in actual, live performances so a volunteer on stage has a different effect and experience as the audience, but both still see a trick. The audience usually just a gets a vastly more impossible version of it. And using this principle without it being apparent takes a master performer...or at least a master creator on the back end to make it seamless for both parties. Otherwise, the moment Ford sees it on TV, he's going to complain it was edited. Done correctly, they'd agree that this version of the effect is the same thing that was presented to them...even though it wasn't.
But like I said, the secrets are disappointing. Just know that outside of Criss Angel, stooges are rarely used. Assume that, and don't seek out the answers, and magic will be wonderful!
...take it from someone who cannot watch an effect without having every possible way to do it enter his head. That reality sucks, and I'd give anything to trade places with someone who saw something so impossible to him that he assumed that the other person HAD to be in on it. THAT is the sign of a good effect, when the only logical answer you can come up with is complete and utter playacting.
Or don't and just assume that everyone is in on it. In that case, I'd recommend not watching magic. It's just going to annoy you if you can't just let yourself enjoy the effect without trying to deconstruct it.
TL;DR: Smart people are fooled by stupid things. Just because the secret is stupid and you can't figure it out, doesn't mean you're not smart. But finding out how stupid the secret is will make you lash out at it because it doesn't fit in with our internal vision of how "clever" or complex a secret must be to fool someone as smart as us. Just enjoy the ride or never get on and you'll be okay.
-Nick
. I do wish there was more of his reaction though, because his smirk reads less to me as get out, and more like get the @& outta here...as in I can't believe it.
