Celebrity Smart-Ass Deluxe by Bill Abbott

Alright, here's the deal: you've got a stack of index cards with famous first names. You shout them out, the crowd yells back the last names. Simple, right? Then you pull someone up on stage, and somehow, against all logic, they pick the card you predicted. Can't quite explain why it works like a charm, but it does. Bill Abbott's a fan, and maybe you will be too, once you get past the initial "surely not" moment.

This version's got a few extras. You get a set of 4x6 inch index cards with the names already on them, saving you from handwriting that never quite looks right. There're also a couple of new celebrity reveals, a pop-up hamper for the card toss, and a sturdy black envelope to keep everything from ending up all over the place.

Here's how it plays out:

Start by testing how well your audience knows their celebs. You say "Paris," they say "Hilton," and so on, it's like a weird pub quiz round. Then you get someone who fancies themselves a celeb genius to help out. They sit on the prediction envelope, for suspense or discomfort, and begin sorting through the cards, tossing half into the hamper every now and then. Eventually, they end up with one card: let's say Taylor (Swift).

Now, the twist: in the envelope they've been warming is a baby photo of Taylor Swift. Yep, that's the kicker. Everyone has a giggle, you flip it over, and there's a grown-up shot of her. Somehow, it never fails to get a good reaction.

Here's what you need to remember:

What you get:

Resetting takes seconds, whether you're in someone's living room or on a stage for hundreds. The cards are just the right size, big enough for everyone to see without being a hassle. If you're already into celebrity magic tricks, this might slide nicely into your routine.