Nigel Shelton: We are very pleased to announce our next special guest as Peter Kessler, television producer and amateur magician (close-up.) Peter's time will begin on Sunday 7th March and will continue for the remainder of the following week.

Many of you may recognise Peter's name from such shows as "Stuff the White Rabbit", "So Graham Norton", "Here's Johnny", "The Mrs. Merton Show" as well as many other television presentations on many other genres, including issues as different and diverse as comedy or the Holocaust. Currently Peter is researching for a special on “Extreme Magic” which is currently at the planning stage. You may find a brief background to the planning for this special at:

http://magicbunny.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=11421&start=0

I hope that you may enjoy discovering more about the production side of magic and perhaps you may even be able to inspire or influence Peter with some ideas of your own, regarding what visions you may foresee for magic in the media.

Mouser: I can recall fond memories of my youth, sitting in front of the television set on a Saturday evening, watching some top quality variety acts. "The Paul Daniels Show" is one favourite of mine that springs to mind - but there are many others.

Why is it that the prime time slots no longer find opportunities for top-quality variety acts in the UK , of this calibre? The quality is still out there; just take a look at the “File Sharing” forum for some excellent examples. Why doesn't some television presenter reconsider some of the old favourites? Isn't there a market for this type of entertainment today?

Peter Kessler: It's all fashion.

I recently went to a talk with Jane Root, Controller of BBC2, where she mentioned Richard Holmes as an example of a new kind of presenter that she likes. I pointed out that the reason Holmes is so good is because he's old-fashioned, not new. Without batting an eyelid, she replied, 'True, but sometimes the old is the new 'new'.

Gary Scott: I would like to know what your views are on the difference between TV here and the USA and the different types of audiences of both countries. I'm not sure if this as applicable to the USA or not, but I find British TV very...Ho Hum...as everything seems to relate to the moment and current issues in the media. You then take a look at British TV 10 years later and those programs that were on have no significance in style or content. (Political issues, comedy etc.)

How can Britain make TV programs that stand the test of time? The USA seems to do this so well....

There has not been a magic series on British TV as successful as Paul Daniels...since...well.....Paul Daniels... I recently watched several videos of his shows and was thoroughly entertained and absorbed by this program. There is a market out there for the return of this type of program because there is no program out there like it. Is it all about finding the ' niche' to fit something like this back on British TV? Look forward to reading your response.

Peter Kessler: You raised a number of very big issues. I hope a brief reply will satisfy for now.

I agree that there's noting like Paul Daniels on any more, and I also agree that his shows were extremely entertaining. But in the eyes of TV commissioning editors, the image he brought to magic made it feel distinctly 'uncool', and that's why the subject was taboo until the advent of supposedly 'cool' magic with Blaine and co. In fact, I don't think TV channels are interested in magic as such even now. They have simply recognised the ephemeral appeal of a particular style of presentation.

This is not to say that traditional magic can never make a return. But it will need to be in a different form that appeals to a wide spectrum of the modern audience. That doesn't necessarily mean cow-towing to conventions like 'I'm a Celebrity' or 'Pop Idol', but it does mean some original thought will be needed in the formulation of a successful new series.

Not sure I agree with you about the longevity of US against UK programmes. The recent 'Greatest Ever Sitcom' series shows that British comedy can stand the test of time with the best of them. What shows do you think will feel out of place in ten years? I suspect the reality shows will disappear, but variety, comedy, documentary and some drama all have their champions.

Mouser: Pop Idol and Fame Academy have been two examples of UK prime-time successes for the small screen. I can vouch myself, how much I enjoyed these two productions.

I know from the Christmas Special, Pop Idol has found success across the globe.

I wondered what thoughts you had on a "Performing Arts" edition of these shows. Currently, there are no opportunities for magicians, comedians, jugulars and dancers to find fame in the same way that there is for singers.

What are your thoughts on a “Pop Idol/Fame Academy” type show for the performing arts?

Peter Kessler: It's a very appealing thought, but until the performing arts you refer to reach anything like the levels of popularity enjoyed by pop music, a show like that would struggle in the shadows of its illustrioud predecessors.

That's not to say that a reality show of some kind involving magicians might not be a good idea (it might be very good indeed), but I don't think the Pop Idol format would work.

Cheers