was pulled from an aquarium by divers Monday nearly two minutes short of his goal of setting a world record for holding his breath underwater.
Blaine was trying to free himself from chains and handcuffs while bidding to break the record of 8 minutes, 58 seconds for holding one's breath underwater. The stunt, following a weeklong endurance challenge underwater, was televised live by ABC. With Blaine's face contorted in pain and bubbles rising to the surface, divers went in to release him from the chains and pull him out. Blaine held his breath for 7:08.
After being given oxygen, Blaine addressed the large crowd that had gathered around the 8-foot snow globe-like tank on the plaza of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. "I am humbled so much by the support of everyone from New York City and from all over the world," Blaine said. "This was a very difficult week, but you all made it fly by with your strong support and your energy. Thank you so much, everybody. ... I love you all."
Dr. Murat Gunel, who heads Blaine's medical team and is an associate professor of neurosurgery at Yale University School of Medicine, said before the attempt: "He is pushing his body insanely to the limits." Gunel and other medical experts had been monitoring Blaine's condition 24 hours a day from an adjacent tent filled with medical equipment and machines. Gunel said the challenge had taken a toll on the magician's body, including liver damage, the sensation of pins and needles in his feet and hands, some loss of sensation elsewhere, and rashes all over his body, which glistened pale white in the tank.
--Did anyone else watch this? It was insane! I thought I was going to watch him go into cardiac arrest on national television!
Posted by: Nanc' at May 09, 2006 07:16 AM (Ailrt)
2
What an idiot! I refused to watch.
Posted by: Allison at May 09, 2006 10:55 AM (szJpJ)
3
I'm with Allison on that one. WOuld have been cool to break the record, but the week in a tank? WTF? Dude, get a job or take up a hobby other than doing stupid stuff to get on tv.
Posted by: motown at May 09, 2006 12:56 PM (pjusE)
4
Get a job? Let's see, did you know David Blaine made $6.5 million last year for his street magic? He has completely changed the game, brought magic back to the forefront, and set the bar ... no more rabbits pulled out of a hat, cutting women into pieces, or making a tiger disappear - it's all about in-your-face stunts that leave people wondering "how did he DO that?" ... Blaine tests the physical limits of the human body as well. Last night was awesome. He gets far more respect from me for what he attempted than some professional who trains his entire life to dive and hold his breath. Blaine was chained, unable to see, and had to hold his breath while finding the key holes and unshackling himself. To add to it, his body had completely broken down after being submerged in water for 7 days (a world record, by the way) ... his feat last night was amazing.
Anyone who labels what we witnessed last night as a "failure" or anything of the sort needs to get off his/her cynical/overly pessimistic horse and appreciate the dedication, drive, and mental/physical strength that one man displayed.
Then again, I've had several discussions today that indicate that this might be a man v. woman thing ... a man testing the physical limitations of the human body ... girls are interested how? They're not.
Finally, if you didn't WATCH the 2-hour special and see the street magic that he performs, the physical training that he endures, and the spirital preparedness that he conducts as evidence of his dedication to his art, you have no business commenting on his work.
"Doing stupid stuff on tv?" Please.
Posted by: Iceman at May 09, 2006 07:31 PM (dVNHb)
5
Wow, Iceman, no one said Santa didn't exist, the ladies were just discussing the lackluster bubble dismount. Frankly, I did watched the show and found the shorts leading up to Bubble Boy's dismount interesting and impressive. However, I agree with the ladies that the dismount was lackluster. But it's cool that you dig it, just cool out and no one will say anymore bad things about Bubble Boy ...
Posted by: Aubrey at May 09, 2006 08:07 PM (ydGu+)
6
Oh so that explains the mature "get a job" comments ... ? I see where you stand on this. Walk away now, please.
Posted by: Iceman at May 10, 2006 07:03 AM (Iomwr)
7
In addition to the "what an idiot" comment ... Aubrey, did you read anything before you started typing?
Posted by: Iceman at May 10, 2006 07:03 AM (Iomwr)
8
I wholly agree with everything Iceman said in his dissertation above. However, I'm afraid I have to award round one to Aubrey. It was a TKO after the first sentence of her response.
Posted by: Nate-Dogg at May 10, 2006 08:14 AM (DWKxn)
9
Iceman,
Sweetheart, I know you get defensive when people critcize my work, but I'm an adult; I can defend myself. And I'm sorry that you and the kids felt neglected this past week while I was in New York. I'll make it up to you, I promise. Oh, and I may be a little late for dinner tonight -- I'm gonna see a dermatologist about these hands.
Kisses,
David
Posted by: David Blaine at May 10, 2006 08:44 AM (DWKxn)
10
I gotta say...I was in the "this guy is a moron" camp until I watched the show. I still will never understand "why," but I have to give him serious props for his skills in magic and his drive to break records.
And frankly, I think everyone is mistaken in calling it a failure. He had to balance himself, undo his chains, etc.--the key in holding your breath for that long is keeping your body going on nearly nothing. He couldn't just float there motionless like the recordholder. So to me, it's like comparing apples and oranges.
Posted by: Lawren at May 10, 2006 09:01 AM (Z93ge)
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