Martian

Here's a higher quality video of Penn and Teller doing the same routine on The Muppets:



What's interesting about this routine is that Penn and Teller created it specifically to reveal it; in other words, the whole routine was designed with the idea that they'd show people how it works.


And here's one of Penn and Teller explaining why magic works (if you're unsure, that big elbow give-away by Teller is completely intentional).



There's a long-standing tradition among illusionists that's so common that pretty much everbody knows it: a good magician never reveals his tricks. There's a belief amongst almost all illusionists of every school of magic that if people knew how the tricks were done they wouldn't be magical anymore. The stuff that Penn and Teller reveal are tricks that they usually design specifically for the purpose of showing how they're done; regardless, it takes away from the mystique of the act and some illusionists think that detracts from the show. People know what's gong on isn't really magic, so they don't enjoy it as much.

Now me, I figure people are smarter than that. You know that the woman hasn't really been sawn in half. You know that I can't make cards or coins disappear and reappear at will (at least, not by any paranormal means). But so long as I can create a bit of mystery you're going to enjoy the act anyway.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame