Jim Karol
Gig Seeker Pro

Jim Karol

Band Comedy World

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Jim Karol amazes, astounds"

Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: Arts and Entertainment

When I first heard about "Mind, Magic & Madness," the magic/mentalist show held in Strong Auditorium on Sept. 16, I was sure I was in for an evening of lame magic tricks and mind reading à la "Crossing Over with John Edward." As the lights dimmed and clips from appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "Rosie O'Donnell" played, I felt like they were building up a show that was sure to be a letdown.

The show, featuring Jim Karol and sidekicks Chris Chelko and Michael DuBois, got off to a slow start. Chelko's opening routine began with the lame jokes I expected, but it took an unexpected turn as he demonstrated his unusual ability to feed a balloon through his nose and out through his mouth. DuBois followed with a juggling routine that was entertaining, but didn't really blow me away.

It was clear that these guys had talent - it's not as if I can juggle seven balls at once or pull foreign objects from my nose through my mouth - but I just wasn't impressed.

I found myself wondering how long the show would last and if I could survive another hour of mediocrity. Then, all of a sudden, my eyes were glued to the stage as Chelko performed a card trick that ended with the two of clubs, selected from a deck of cards by an audience member, stuck to the ceiling. He also pointed out the ace of spades on the ceiling from last year's show. Anyone who hadn't been paying attention before, certainly was now as the "Madman of Magic" himself, Jim Karol, took the stage.

Karol's set included more card tricks, illusions, stunts and a display of his psychic abilities. Going into the show, I was very doubtful about Karol's actual ability to read minds. The only "proof" I could find was an article in the National Enquirer about his prediction of the Pennsylvania Lottery in 1991. The fact that his story was in the Enquirer didn't exactly give him much credibility in my eyes.

Karol's performance, however, stunned me as he demonstrated that he could do more than just guess someone's favorite color.

As each audience member asked himself a random question and its answer, Karol revealed the names of countries, birthdays and even family nicknames that they were thinking.

Karol claimed not to read minds, but only to "influence thought." Whatever he calls it, I was definitely impressed.

The tricks were not only amazing, but Karol, DuBois and Chelko's skills as performers and entertainers also played a huge role in the overall quality of the show. The three magicians put on a fast-paced, high-energy performance in which they interacted well with each other as well as with the audience. They were even kind enough to offer a behind the scenes workshop and reveal some of their secrets in the May Room in Wilson Commons following the show.

While I was skeptical at first, it didn't take long for the Psychic Madman to win me over. I found myself completely engrossed in a performance of mind-boggling tricks, stunts and mind reading. I definitely recommend going to see Karol and company if they return to UR to entertain, impress and perhaps add another playing card to the ceiling of Strong Auditorium.
- Elizabeth Swain, Univ of Rochester


"Jim Karol amazes students"

Issue date: 9/10/07 Section:

After the lottery prediction in 1990, Karol explained to the audience how he had to "go underground" due to threats to himself and his family if he did not predict a lottery for a Vietnam veteran. Four years later, Karol "went public" with his act and abilities and has been attempting to make a career of it ever since. He has appeared on various television shows and played a small part in Jackass Number Two.

"You'll be hearing a lot about me in the next few months," Karol said.

He has an upcoming Thanksgiving Day two-hour television special that will air after the holiday's yearly football games.

Some of the more suspenseful or frightful parts of the show included Karol closing a fox trap around his fingers and being unharmed and threatening to shock the entire audience with 3,000 volts of electricity with the power of his mind. The audience was completely enthralled with Karol's feats and a sense of relief swept the room every time Karol or a volunteer remained unharmed.

Friday night marked Karol's fourth year performing at WCU. Each year his audience and hype have grown, and this year was Karol's first appearance in the Asplundh Concert Hall which size was necessary this year. While Karol did not include any new material in this year's performance, one notable difference was the absence of his assistants. Karol, a Penn State Alumnus, was previously accompanied by two assistants who provided a pre-show for Karol by juggling machetes and walking on glass, for example. They would also aid Karol in choosing volunteers and playing small roles in each of his routines. Karol did not make any mention of why they were not present this year.

Karol's visit to WCU was certainly memorable this year as students filed out of the concert hall in conversation about how Karol had achieved his various feats, including an escape from two pairs of handcuffs and knowing what words that students had chosen out of a book.

For all the awe that Karol's act inspires, he makes sure to keep the show entertaining, funny and relaxed through his use of humor and sexual puns. There is no question that Karol has an extraordinary mind and a unique personality for showmanship.
- Shane Madden, West Chester Univ, WCUquad.com


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

This show is truly unlike any other show anywhere in the world. Jim’s “Psychic Madman” show combines extraordinary feats of the mind with zany comedy and dangerous stunts. The show is packed with plenty of audience participation and high energy, with Jim demonstrating his talents and extremely unique intuitive abilities throughout his one hour performance. The audience is left mesmerized as Jim correctly guesses where everyone is from, the day that they were born, their boyfriend’s names, girlfriend’s names, words, cards, numbers, countries, capitals and even the color underwear someone is wearing.

Recently Jim even stunned the crew of Jackass during the filming of Jackass Number Two when he thrust his hand into a steel bear trap and shocked the cast out of their chairs. He also demonstrated his infamous “Bear Trap”on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno and now demonstrates it at all of his live shows. On the Ellen Show, Jim had Ellen dumbfounded when he memorized a shuffled deck of cards in a matter of seconds. He has also memorized the Scrabble dictionary, over 80,000 zip codes, sports almanacs, Pi, and countless other facts and trivia.

From pick pocketing volunteers on stage to shocking the audience out of their seats, prepare to experience the most hilarious, highly energetic and most memorable performance of your life. Spend an evening with one of the most UNIQUE personalities of any entertainer, ANYWHERE in the world.

Spend an evening with the madman, Jim Karol.

Jim's Memory & Motivational Presentation

Once you experience Jim Karol’s Mind, Memory and Motivation presentation you will never be the same again. This very interactive and highly energetic program is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Jim Karol is truly the worlds foremost memory expert and master of intuition and his personality is exciting, fun and contagious. Experience the seemingly impossible as Jim correctly identifies the city or town where you live, just by hearing the zip code, or he names the day of the week for ANY date in history all the way back to the beginning of time. In fact, Jim once memorized over 300 names and birthdates of audience members prior to a show. On the Ellen Degeneres Show, Jim stunned Ellen when he memorized a shuffled deck of cards in a matter of seconds.

From knowing the capital of every country in the world to reciting hundreds of digits of Pi, Jim proves that he knows what he’s talking about and doesn’t just talk about it.

Just a few things that Jim has memorized:

Scrabble dictionary
Over 80,000 ZIP Codes
World almanacs
Phonebooks
The baseball Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame
The U.S. Congress
Thousands of celebrities and movies
...and much, much, more.
During Jim’s presentation/workshop, you will learn some of Jim’s “tricks of the trade” and tips on improving YOUR memory. Jim will help show you how to tap into YOUR intuition and develop a positive mental attitude. You will leave his presentation SUPER CHARGED, EXCITED and ready to take on anything!

Join Jim on this journey into the extraordinary and experience the seemingly impossible!