Comedy, Character & Control.
Turning tricks into laughs and presence into power.
We’re told it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. The problem is that very few books deal with the how. Not clearly. Not honestly. And not from someone with a mic in one hand and panic dripping off his brow.
“Misko’s thoughts are grounded in real-world experience, and are consistently encouraging.”David Kuraya, Genii Magazine
“A really great buy for what it is: advice from in the trenches about how to be funnier, how to deal with hecklers, how to increase your professional level.”Jeff Kowalk, Erudite Magic
From “who?” to headliner.
Twenty-five years of stage time and missteps taught me the real trick isn’t the one in your hand. It’s how you handle the room. Inside:
- How to be funny on purpose, not just accidentally likeable.
- Why “character” isn’t a costume, and how to stop acting like it is.
- How to use silence, stillness and timing to get laughs without overselling.
- What to do when the tech fails, the crowd is cold, and your soul leaves your body mid-act.
This isn’t a book of scripts or tricks. It’s a roadmap to landing the laugh, commanding the pause, and controlling the moment. Whether you’re holding a mic, a deck of cards, or your breath before you walk on.
Two minutes, straight from the horse’s mouth.
“The real work isn’t a destination. It’s a path. And like any path, some guidance is useful. This book is that!”Doc Dixon
Read by people who work.
“This explains, in lucid detail, how to make any trick an applause-worthy feature. I’d say this chapter is ‘worth the price of the book,’ but considering the bargain it would be an insult to the chapter.”Ryan Pilling
“You are the first person I’ve seen who also talks about hecklers with an approach that is different to ‘slam them down quick’.”Ian Kendall
“Your details and explicit instructions in how you handle one item made me realize a fatal error I’ve been making for a long time. That changes today in my afternoon performance!”Doug Scheer
“Comedy, Character & Control is a must read for not only the working pro but also for the newly budding magician. It will shave YEARS off your learning curve if you implement Michael’s insight.”Jason Christopher
Get the book.
Paperback if you like to write in the margins. PDF if you want it on the plane tonight.
Read it. Then send me the act.
The book is the map. A director is the one who watches you walk it. When you’re ready for notes on a routine or the whole show, that is the next step.