Morrow: Blaine Adds Knoxville to ABC Special
By Terry Morrow
Thursday, July 17, 2008

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Magician David Blaine's visit to Knoxville recently will be part of an upcoming ABC special to air Sept. 24.

"Instead of just staying in New York and doing street magic, he was traveling across the country," an ABC source told the Tele-Buddy Wednesday.

Blaine went barebones. He didn't take money with him on his journey. And despite other reports to the contrary, Blaine did travel with a small entourage.

The source says Blaine went with a minimum film crew. His cameraperson tried to stay hidden so the action would not be focused on the TV production itself, an ABC source says.

Blaine was spotted in Market Square on June 26, performing small feats of magic. He also went into the Preservation Pub to perform for customers.

Another source says Blaine picked Knoxville because of its central location. Blaine has performed several shows in Knoxville before.

He was traveling from New York City to the Grand Canyon for the special.

When Blaine visited Knoxville, he was relying on the kindness of strangers for tips. He also did not have formal overnight arrangements. The ABC source says he sometimes slept outside or in the homes of locals in the area he was visiting.

"He was doing magic for people as a way to earn money to get from city to city," the source says. "He was not traveling in planes or cars. He was literally doing magic across the country to get to where he needed to go."

In September, Blaine will attempt his centerpiece feat for the special. He plans to break the world record for sleep deprivation. The record, ABC says, is 11 days, and Blaine plans to go beyond that.

The yet-untitled Blaine special will air at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, on WATE, Channel 6.