Criss Angel's "Believe" a bunny show?
A recent report that controversial illusionist Criss Angel intends to use live animals in his upcoming Cirque du Soleil show at Luxor has People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) upset with Angel and even more so with Cirque. According to Lisa Wathne, captive exotic animal specialist for PETA:
"We have regularly received complaints about Criss Angel using animals. It is very disturbing that Cirque would consider allowing animals in any of its shows. Cirque's fantastic exhibitions and sold out shows are proof that the public has lost interest in performing animals and the inclusion of an animal act is only going to taint Cirque's reputation."
Angel has used an elephant in illusions in his TV show. I've reached out to Cirque and to Angel for comment on the report that he is planning a rabbit show for part of "Believe." No responses yet.
It is surprising, if true, that Cirque and Angel intend to include in "Believe" what would be one of the few animal acts on the Strip. It's also interesting that Angel, a magician who prizes originality, would choose rabbits for "Believe." A magician and a rabbit: can a hat and little wand be far behind?
(photo by Sarah Gerke)
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funny...his uses cats....aka "pussycats" daily yet but yet he uses birds, etc for his show everyone is freaking out. The man loves animals. I doubt he'd do anything to place harm onto them.
Of course, I have heard that he gets really pissy at the birds he has used if they don't work according to plan.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 16, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I am sick of PETA! yeah i care for animals too but these people are like CRAZY! Criss Angel loves animals he wouldn't do a thing to hurt them. All except for the mouse he ate at the rock n' roll hall of fame to pay tribute to Ozzy. But other than that, he means no harm. Animals are being trained to perform it's not like they are abusing them in any way. PETA needs to get a life, they have to much time on their hands.
Posted by: Britt | May 16, 2008 at 04:10 PM
One thing is for sure,Criss would never harm an animal,he loves them,and cirque wouldnt either.What is wrong with you that your always trying to stir up trouble?Where's your apologies,there isnt even live rabbits in the show and it would be really foolish to give details of the show and ruin the element of surprise,especially to a scamming gossip columist like yourself.You dont deserve a response and maybe they should demand an apology from you and your smuttland friends because you demanded apologies from them,hypocrites.All you people from smuttville should worry about karma,too.
Posted by: bettylouh | May 16, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Like many of the people above said, criss would NEVER hurt an animal. He loves animals so much and wouldn't hurt an animal no matter how much he was going to be paid. I know how criss is and just wanted to let everyone know that.
Posted by: rachel | May 16, 2008 at 06:17 PM
As the person who wrote the item I want to step in and say that I do not think that Criss Angel intends to hurt any animals in his show. There was an active debate in Vegas about how acceptable it is to use animals in entertainment in Vegas shows. I was simply curious if Cirque and Angel were going to use animals, because that would buck the current trend on the Strip and reopen the debate. But I did not mean to imply that Criss Angel, Cirque or any other show on the Strip would hurt animals on purpose. I've watched Angel play with his cat. I have a good sense of his respect and love for animals. And, I am sorry if any of you think I was implying in this item he intended to hurt any animal. My question is only if the animals are being used as part of his show. PETA may believe that performance always hurts the animals. I am not expert enough to know the answer to that question. I am only reporting the debate. Yrs., Richard
Posted by: Richard Abowitz | May 16, 2008 at 07:17 PM
I didn't see anything where the reporter that wrote this story alleges that CA would hurt an animal. And I agree. CA wouldn't hurt an animal. It's not in him. Because he knows that if he did, that would bring the law down on him and the people against him faster than what happened to Michael Vick.
However, CA can threaten to blind a Las Vegas reporter and get away with it.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | May 17, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Richard, I too never thought you implied Criss would hurt an animal. It would be interesting to find out if Peta has ever questioned Sigfried and Roy's use of Elephants and Tigers in their show? If not, then why is Peta picking on Criss. Could it be the publicity they hope to gain.
""We have regularly received complaints about Criss Angel using animals". This statement by Peta would imply that Criss has extensive use of animals in his show. Somehow, one elephant, two monkeys (killer monkeys to be exact.....that clip was too hilarious) and little OJ. I wouldn't call that extensive use of animals.
I wouldn't call Hammie or Minx on the show abuse either. Both so cute. So Hammie might know a trick or two. He has only been on the show a few times, one of which sitting on daddy's lap. My dog can give paw, does that mean I am abusing him. We have also taken home videos of our dog, does that mean we are abusing him? As for Minx, the two times I saw him on the show, he was either walking away from the camera or sleeping.
Posted by: toula | May 17, 2008 at 05:51 PM
okay, I think we pretty much beat the "blind a Las Vegas reporter" thing to death already. Let it go and move on.
Posted by: Loyal Sandy | May 17, 2008 at 07:13 PM
If only he prized originality in his wardrobe.
Posted by: Gully Foyle | May 18, 2008 at 07:17 AM
I don't think Angel would harm an animal either. But yeah, he likes to threaten human beings. So that's a huge difference. Spare the dog, but blind the man.
CA should be careful. Maybe no more couplings with Pam Anderson as I understand she is a huge PETA supporter. But then she is a dumb bunny herself.
Posted by: Yen Woo Ping | May 18, 2008 at 04:29 PM
THIS FROM ROBIN LEACH ARTICLE
asked Criss to clear up the controversy that the animal protection organization PETA started over a news leak that said he was going to work with live rabbits in the new Cirque show. “I assure you there are no live rabbits in the show,” he laughed. “No rabbits are being used at all. I’ve seen and heard all the rabbit reports but it’s totally untrue. The closest we come to is that we have a large stuffed rabbit dressed in an antique gown as an “homage” to all the rabbits that have been used as the universal symbol of magic acts. In my show though the rabbit costumed characters pull me out of the hat. This show is all about emotion being put back into magic rather than animals and pretty women swapping places inside boxes or cages. ”
Posted by: bettylouh | May 26, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I also Agree Criss would never harm an animal even if he did use a rabbit it wouldn't be to harm him. But as he said there are no animals in his show.
Second People say things when there angry. To hang on to this is obscene. People let it go already. Did he ever act on it. No,
therefore there is nothing to get pissed about.
Let it go by the way I think Norm started it and that's why Criss blew.
Even though Norm has one eye it doesn't mean he isn't the same as anyone else. Ask any handicapped person. There just as normal No pun intended as you and me....
Posted by: mal1256 | May 27, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Ya know,mal,this brings up another point.Just because some one is handicapped does not give them the right to badger and annoy and spread rumors.They have the same responsibility as the rest of us to act like decent human beings and treat others with respect.
Posted by: bettylouh | May 27, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Look i love animals and so does most people in the world like Criss and the odds of him hurting them on stage is none. PETA needs to calm down I mean WAY down.
Posted by: Loyalnobody | June 06, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Alright, I am all for animal rights, but I have problems
1. PETA always seems to find faults with everything involving animals. These animals have been trained to do what they are doing and are completly safe. PETA needs to shut up.
2. Im sure people know this by now, but thier not real rabbits. Thier people dressed in rabbit masks, and it's called "a homage to the rabbits", as a tribute to the old "pull a rabbit out of my hat" days.
Posted by: joe | August 07, 2008 at 07:13 PM
The "rabbits" being used are actually related to one of the pieces of choreography, done by Wade Robson. It's a Donnie-Darko-esque homage to all the rabbits who have died in the hands of incompetent magicians. The dancers dress up as rabbits.
Posted by: Sara | August 07, 2008 at 09:53 PM