What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! March 11 - 17, 2018 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media L ike a magician cooking up a potion, concoct- ing a hit television show requires the per- fect brew of drama, intrigue and mystery. Adding a dash of excitement, a charismatic star and just a hint of romance can create TV magic, and one promising new series seems to have it all. Jack Cutmore-Scott ("Coo- per Barrett's Guide to Surviv- ing Life") stars as magician Cameron Black, who works for the FBI after his magic ca- reer is ruined by scandal, in "Deception," premiering Sun- day, March 11, on ABC. While his 15 minutes of fame may be over, Black's skills are unique- ly suited to help the govern- ment catch elusive criminals as he uses his knowledge of il- lusion to confound, influence and deceive others. The premise may seem far- fetched, but creator and pro- ducer Chris Fedak ("Chuck") explained the logic behind it during a Q&A panel at 2017's New York Comic Con. "So many of the theories of magic also play into criminali- ty," Fedak said. "If you're going to rob a bank, if you're going to steal things, you are using that same skill set to trick people and deceive people. Cameron brings his own perspective to many of the cases and the crimes that we're going to come across." Fedak and his cohorts have recruited some top talent to make sure the tricks and illu- sions in "Deception" ring true. Famed illusionist and cross- word expert David Kwong has signed on to co-produce and also serves as a consultant on the series with fellow magi- cian Frances Menotti. Kwong, Menotti and other magic ex- perts have worked extensively with Cutmore-Scott to show him the ropes so he'll look convincing. The magicians also design the complex illu- sions in the show, which, ac- cording to Fedak, are as true to life as possible. "When we look at each one of our stories, we want to do as much magic that's real that Ilfenesh Hadera and Jack Cutmore-Scott star in "Deception" TV magic continued on page T10 TV FEATURE