October 8 (2013-10-08)– December 10, 2013 (2013-12-10)[1]
Criss Angel BeLIEve is an American realitydocusoap starring illusionistCriss Angel. Premiering October 8, 2013 on Spike as a successor to his previous A&E series Criss Angel Mindfreak, it followed Angel performing large-scale illusion stunts and street magic acts, including behind-the-scenes footage showing the development and execution of his illusions.
In January 2013, Spike announced that it had ordered a new 11-episode Criss Angel docuseries to premiere later in the year; Spike's EVP of original programming Sharon Levy stated that the series would offer "never-before-granted access into the inner-workings of [Angel's] secret world and his mind."[2]
The series—later announced as Criss Angel BeLIEve—was scheduled to coincide with the fifth anniversary of Criss Angel's Luxor Las Vegas residency Criss Angel Believe. Having been three years since the conclusion of his previous show Mindfreak, Angel remarked that "I missed being on television, I had something new creatively to say, and Spike became the perfect home to do it." Unlike Mindfreak, each episode was produced as a standalone story with a different theme, which Angel said would allow the show to be more "diverse" and unpredictable.[3][4]
BeLIEve was primarily filmed in Las Vegas, including at a "think tank" where Angel's team develops his tricks and illusions. One episode—in which Angel would escape from two straitjackets while hanging upside-down with a weight hanging from his neck—was filmed in his hometown of New York City. Angel stated that he wanted to see if it were possible "to take the historical references of what Houdini had done and kind of catapult it into today", and that part of his preparations for the stunt included being choked out by MMA fighter Randy Couture to understand the feeling of choking.[4][2]
Broadcast
BeLIEve premiered October 8, 2013 on Spike, following the Ink Masterseason 3 finale. It moved to its regular Tuesday-night timeslot beginning October 15.[4]
The series was originally scheduled to air 10 filmed episodes and a live season finale from Las Vegas entitled "Trinity", where Angel would have attempted to perform a three-part illusion under a time limit before something "detonate[s] inches away from me."[4] However, after tearing his shoulder tendons during the double straitjacket stunt, Angel suspended his Las Vegas performances for several months while preparing for a surgery in January 2014.[5][6][7]
Episodes
No.
Title
Original release date
1
"Cement Grave"
October8,2013(2013-10-08)
Criss attempts to become the first person in history to be buried alive in an above-ground cement grave. He gives rapper Ice-T a bloody demonstration with razor blades and also reveals how to make a soda can float.
2
"Blind"
October15,2013(2013-10-15)
Criss takes blind to a whole new level when he walks over five stories above Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas. He attempts a deadly walk across a swinging steel I-beam with a two-foot gap high above a crowd while being completely blindfolded and in total darkness.
With much controversy, Criss attempts one of his biggest challenges yet – to bring someone back from the dead. He also makes strangers on the street believe in voodoo and makes his intern lose his head.
5
"Levitate Shaq"
November5,2013(2013-11-05)
When Shaquille O'Neal drops by Criss' Magic Factory to spend time doing magic, both begin a friendly rivalry when Shaq calls Criss out to levitate him. Criss attempts to levitate the amateur magician and former NBA star over 60 feet above his home in Las Vegas. He also teaches an amazing ash-to-palm illusion to strangers.
6
"Alligator Torture Escape"
November12,2013(2013-11-12)
Criss attempts to become the first person to be suspended in a torture device designed by Harry Houdini's rival. He must get out within a certain amount of time to avoid being eaten by alligators.
7
"Lord Of Illusions"
November19,2013(2013-11-19)
Inspired by Clive Barker's twisted 1995 movie Lord of Illusions, Criss attempts to make a prediction of life over death. He will select random spectators in a crowd to release five swords, with the sixth hanging directly over his heart. Criss must make it out of the demonstration alive before the wrong sword is released, leaving him impaled.
8
"Double Straight Jacket"
November25,2013(2013-11-25)
To show that magic is as real as it gets, Criss and his magic team go to Times Square in New York to push the boundaries of escape even further. Criss pays tribute to Houdini by hanging upside down in two straight jackets with a 45-pound plate tied around his neck. He must get out of both straight jackets and release the weight before he slips into unconsciousness and chokes to death.
9
"Elephant Herd Vanish"
December3,2013(2013-12-03)
Criss attempts to become the first magician in history to make 40,000 pounds of elephants vanish in impossible conditions - in the middle of a field. He also visits a toy store and makes a stuffed animal come to life and does some magic with a goldfish to have it appear in an impossible location.
10
"Ship Appearance"
December10,2013(2013-12-10)
Criss invites all his loyal fans on an exuberant vacation with him to Cabo San Lucas. While working on his own vacation by entertaining guests with magic and everyone alike, he attempts the largest-scale appearance ever attempted.
11
"Trinity"
unaired
Criss will attempt one of the deadliest and dangerous demonstrations ever. Involving an escape, a vanish and an appearance, he must accomplish all three within a specific time countdown. Time is worth every second for Criss to get to a safe zone before something detonates inches from him.
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