Las Vegas Weekly

September 17, 2008 · 1:12 PM

Exclusive: Angel’s new TV contract signed, sealed – and will be delivered

By Robin Leach

Criss Angel, ready to pounce at the Luxor.

“Loyal” fans of Mindfreak magician Criss Angel can breathe a deep sigh of relief. Luxe Life has officially learned and exclusively confirmed that the illusionist has had his top-rated A&E cable show renewed by network executives.

So the fifth season will go ahead, guaranteeing that Criss will see the 100th show on the series. I asked him backstage in his new Cirque du Soleil Believe dressing room at the Luxor how on Earth he was going to juggle the twice-nightly, live stage show presentations with the demanding rigors of a new TV season. Pre-production planning gets underway this fall and first episodes will be shot early next year.

“We’ve agreed that everything will be done right here in Vegas close to hand,” Criss told me. “We’ve agreed that some of the filming can take place here at the Luxor, also backstage here at the theater and on the stage to make it all run smoother and keep to a very tight tough schedule of both the TV show and the live shows.”

I also asked him how he’d physically be able to standup to the challenges.

“First of all, you know that I thrive on work,” said Criss. “You also know I don’t need a lot of sleep. You also know I keep very physically fit. So with a great team of people on both Mindfreak and from Cirque for Believe, we will be able to shoot the new TV shows by day and perform the live stage presentations at night.

“I’m very happy that we are now able to go ahead with another new season of Mindfreak. Fans will be very happy to hear the news -- and you’ve got it first before anybody else.”

Criss also has some other TV surprises up his sleeves that he can’t yet discuss, plus the development of the Mandrake magic movie. Don’t forget to check back to Luxe Life tomorrow for our exclusive interview and photos with Criss backstage, and for his personal tour of the behind-the-scenes of the new Believe shows.

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