Wizard Wars

Watch Wizard Wars

  • TV-PG
  • 2014
  • 1 Season
  • 6.6  (220)

Wizard Wars was a unique television show that aired on Syfy for two seasons in 2014 and 2015. The show was hosted by Christen Gerhart, who was joined by expert magicians Justin Flom and Ellen Fox as judges. The show pits teams of magicians against one another in a head-to-head competition where they have 30 minutes to create magic illusions using common everyday items.

The show's format sees two teams of expert magicians go head-to-head in a battle of wizardry. Prior to the show, the teams are given a list of common everyday items such as PVC pipes, toilet paper rolls, and plastic cups, which they must incorporate into their magic tricks. The contestants have only 30 minutes to come up with their illusions, after which they perform them in front of a studio audience and the judging panel. The judges then opine on the creativity and sophistication of each team's act.

Winning the competition on Wizard Wars was not just about creating the most impressive illusions. Instead, the emphasis was on creativity, ingenuity, and the performers’ ability to think outside of the box to make something out of nothing. The show encouraged the performers to be resourceful and to think creatively in a way that added extra excitement to the whole competition.

One of the most striking features of the series was how it drew talented magicians from various parts of the US. It was a real showcase for the best and brightest talents in the industry; each episode would see a new panel of contestants pitted against one another in the intense 30-minute challenge. The contestants came from various backgrounds and represented a mix of ages and styles.

One of the other standout aspects of the show was the grand theatricality of it all – not just in terms of the performances, but also the set. The stages were lavishly and creatively designed, with each episode having a different theme. The sheer technical brilliance of the sets, production values, and the contestants’ ability to integrate the stage into their illusions had the judges and the audience spellbound.

The judges themselves were both successful names in the industry in their own right, making them eminently qualified to assess the contestants' performances. Host Christen Gerhart was adept at keeping the pace moving and moving the focus from one act to the other, always engaging the audience as well as the contestants. Justin Flom and Ellen Fox were experienced performers and magicians, whose job was to determine who won each competition by critiquing the various teams' performances while keeping a certain level of impartiality and respect for the performers. Their expert knowledge further added to the dynamic appeal of the show.

Unlike most other reality competition shows, Wizard Wars did not adopt a "survivor" elimination system. Instead, the format was such that both teams performed a magic trick at the beginning of the show, and then, the teams competed for a prize in a more explicit challenge. Thus, even if a team lost out on the challenge, they would still have the opportunity to perform some excellent magic illusions that, otherwise, may not have been showcased or given the proper attention.

The production had a different approach to other programs in the same vein. The performers' creative range in using common items in uncommon ways was astounding, making for an unexpected intellectual challenge which comprises the traits of a magic performance. The series' unique and fresh approach made it one of Syfy's most popular competition shows during the two seasons that it aired.

In closing, the show was something that provided an unexpected sense of excitement for an audience, one that isn't just a magic enthusiast. Its unique combination of creativity, resourcefulness, and theatricality made it one of the standout shows in the reality competition genre. While it could be argued that 30 minutes to prepare a magic act was not enough time to bring out the best in some contestants, Wizard Wars will always be remembered for the creativity and ingenuity that the contestants showed while competing. An excellent show for anybody who wants to be entertained, amazed, and delighted.

Wizard Wars is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on August 19, 2014.

Wizard Wars
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Seasons
Walking On Water
12. Walking On Water
March 12, 2015
Teams of magicians from Philadelphia and Los Angeles throw down to see who gets to face the Wizards in a fishing-themed Wizard War. Props include: a fishing pole, a pink flamingo, and a foot long sandwich.
Magic Carpet Ride
11. Magic Carpet Ride
March 5, 2015
Comedy magicians from St. Louis, Flint, Richmond and Sacramento rock out to see who advances to a 70s themed Wizard War. Props include: a guitar, fuzzy dice, a tutu and others.
Mentalist Marvels
10. Mentalist Marvels
February 26, 2015
A pair of mentalists from Montreal take on a California conjurer and "Miss Magic" from the U.K to see who advances to the Wizard War.
Billy Bears All
9. Billy Bears All
February 12, 2015
Magicians from all over the country and Canada compete for a chance to compete with the Wizards.
Silly Rabbits
8. Silly Rabbits
February 5, 2015
Magician duos compete to battle the Wizards in a magic throwdown. Props include: Luggage, a Cape, a White Rabbit and others. Will their years of chemistry be enough to hold against the might of our Wizards?
Wizard Wars
7. Wizard Wars
January 29, 2015
Teams of magicians from Chicago and Las Vegas must turn objects into mind-blowing illusions for the chance to face the Wizards. Props include: Tiki torches, a Tennis Racket and Balls, Mice and others! Will these magicians be able to bring the heat and light the stage?
Birds Of A Feather
6. Birds Of A Feather
September 23, 2014
Penn and Teller judge as Canadian and American illusionists turn everyday objects, including a leafblower, into amazing tricks.
Battle Of The Vegas Strip
5. Battle Of The Vegas Strip
September 16, 2014
Penn and Teller judge as Canadian and American illusionists turn everyday objects, including a leafblower, into amazing tricks.
Blown Away
4. Blown Away
September 9, 2014
Penn and Teller judge as Canadian and American illusionists turn everyday objects, including a leafblower, into amazing tricks.
Rated Arrrgh!
3. Rated Arrrgh!
September 2, 2014
Penn and Teller judge as Canadian and American illusionists turn everyday objects, including tarot cards and a pirate costume, into amazing tricks.
Puppy Love
2. Puppy Love
August 26, 2014
Penn and Teller judge as Canadian and American illusionists turn everyday objects into amazing tricks.
Spam-tastic! (Pilot)
1. Spam-tastic! (Pilot)
August 19, 2014
In the series premiere, Penn and Teller judge as Canadian and American illusionists turn everyday objects into amazing tricks.
Description
Where to Watch Wizard Wars
Wizard Wars is available for streaming on the Syfy website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Wizard Wars on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    August 19, 2014
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (220)