Sly Little Witch The term "sly little witch" refers to a cunning and manipulative individual, often associated with magical abilities. The phrase combines the notion of someone who is deceitful and conniving with the fantastical element of witchcraft. A sly little witch is an archetype that has been prevalent in literature and folklore for centuries. This character is typically depicted as a woman who uses her wits and cunning to achieve her goals. She is often portrayed as being in control of her own destiny, using her magical powers to manipulate those around her. In many stories, the sly little witch is seen as a villain or antagonist.

Listen Up Haters, Magic for Humans Is Real, and Really Funny

(Editor's Note: This article was first published in December 2019 with the release of Season 2. Season 3 is now on Netflix, and many of you will find the conversation with Justin Willman just as relevant.)

We live in a society with people who believe the Earth is a flat disc, the moon landing -- one of mankind's greatest achievements -- was filmed on a soundstage, and that chemtrails are turning amphibians gay. The rise of the internet was intended to be a pipeline of facts available at everyone's fingertips, but it's proving just as useful -- if not more so -- at spreading unwarranted skepticism. With minimal searching, anyone can find someone who believes in anything. Or, more accurately, find people who don't believe in something.

So it makes a lot of sense that the magic Justin Willman performs on his Netflix series Magic for Humans, which released its incredibly fun second season on Dec. 4, would be an easy target for skeptics. Willman -- part magician, part comedian, part social experimenter -- opens each episode by saying, "Real people. Real magic. No camera tricks," which makes a mob of skeptics *poof!* magically appear.

Justin Willman, Magic for Humans

I recently scheduled an interview with Willman, and in doing a little research on the show, I came across plenty of year-old threads online, mostly on Reddit, with users claiming the first season used CGI, green screens, camera tricks, and actors to pull off his stunts instead of incorporating the same type of magic that has been practiced for centuries. (To be fair, there were also some Reddit users who defended Willman, but the most vocal and numerous are the haters.)

"Skeptics have been around for centuries, especially with magic," Willman told TV Guide. "Before TV magic was a thing, most people were in the audience live and obviously they know there's a trick happening. So when people are like, 'Oh it's not real,' no, it's not real. I don't have powers. But what you're seeing is not the result of camera trickery or people pretending to be amazed. I have an incredible team of magic minds and comedy minds who I work with to really put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into creating the stuff on screen and we're definitely not taking the easy way out."

Willman came to his own defense online, even coming close to explaining the tricks to prove there was no camera trickery, but that's the great paradox of being a magician. You can't prove you're legit without spilling the beans on age-old secrets or tricks you worked hard to create.

"I have to ride this line where I can't tell you how I do it, because I don't want to ruin the wonder, but I can at least tell you 100 percent how I don't do it," he said. "[Skeptics] thinking that there's CGI stuff is certainly how I don't do it."

One of the illusions from the first season that really set doubters off involved Willman pulling his wife out of a bag before a group of onlookers. Many figured it was done using green screen, with users freezing frames to try and expose amateur scammery.

"The wife-in-the-bag trick is literally based on one of the oldest stage magic illusions there is," Willman explained. "Going into it, I was thinking, 'Is this too old of a trick to be doing on TV?' It turned out to be exactly the opposite, people thought it was some fancy digital stuff."

(On Reddit, Willman said the trick was done using a modified "M" bench, which I believe is a magician's tool involving a bench using mirrors. You can piece the rest together from there.)

As he runs the onlookers through scripted lines in a direct wink to the doubters he engaged with online, he climbs on the back of a man kneeling on all fours and dressed in a full green screen outfit (think It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Green Man) to pretend that he's levitating, and then he pulls a green screen slowly up over his body to pretend it's disappearing in stages (again, in supposed post-production). Once the screen is above his head, it quickly drops, revealing only the man in the full green bodysuit on all fours on the ground. Willman has disappeared. The man pulls the hood off, and it's Willman. The onlookers no longer have to pretend to be amazed.

It's such a spectacular stunt -- we have to take Willman's word for it that there are no cuts -- that it's sure to be this season's version of the wife-in-the-bag trick for doubters. William explained it involved no camera tricks, no editing, and no CGI, just a lot of hard work and rehearsing to get it right.

"So that was a case of a bunch of rehearsing and obviously not cutting from when you see me drop the curtain to when you see me pull the hood off," Willman told me. "It's kind of a version of the old Harry Houdini Metamorphosis trick, the substitution trick he would do with his wife. He would lock her up in a box, put a bunch of padlocks on, stand on top, throw a curtain up, and the curtain falls, now she's on top and he's in the box. That's what it's based on, it's just a twist of the other guy is not in a box, he's nowhere. I don't know what I could say to assure [you it's real] other than tell you how it works."

"What I like about that one in particular," he continued, "is that it's literally about that skepticism, that disbelief, and people literally commenting on that one thing, if it's fake or CGI. That's one instance when it's full circle, it's like, 'annnnd you've proven my point.' Some people just like to be doubters, and I feel like both sides are important. If everyone was swept away, believes everything, and worships you, that's how cults start. It's always good to have healthy skeptics."

But healthy or not, those spending all their time trying to "solve" Willman's tricks are missing a lot of what makes Magic for Humans such an enjoyable watch. Willman's brand of magic, which is peppered with humor and inviting rather than exclusionary and hoisting the magician up to the clouds like a god, is designed to bring people together. Season 2 is an improvement over the first season because it's a more personal look at Willman, grounding him as just another one of us humans rather than a warlock to be burned at the stake. Willman became a father between seasons, and an episode is focused on him trying to be a good dad while also trying to continue his magic. And the season's last bit involves an emotional trick for his mother, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

"Growing up I never really saw tons of magic that was vulnerable, or about raw, real struggles," Willman said. "Usually magic involves some powerful, infallible magician character who has no struggle. I feel like that's not real life, and obviously people know that, I think these days people crave something real."

Before we part ways, I ask him one more time to guarantee that he isn't using actors or camera tricks.

"100 percent [it's real]," he promised. "We do shoot the show on the streets of Los Angeles, so a lot of people have a headshot. No one is hired or paid to act amazed or do or say a certain thing, everyone is just pulled off the street. Everyone's real, and nothing is accomplished with fancy CGI or anything of that. Obviously ethically, but mostly because we can't afford it."

Magic for Humans is currently streaming on Netflix.

Magic at home: The best gift ideas for a strange holiday

Magic is my hobby, and there's no better time to start learning.

I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.

• Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps

Some of the many magic things I have around my home.

A long time ago, a David Copperfield- and Penn & Teller-inspired kid version of me became excited to make ordinary objects disappear and float in the air. Trips to my local magic shop and a lot of book-reading led me to learning magic, a skill that's still baked into my brain decades later.

Theaters are still closed in lots of places, and I don't go out and see people much. But magic has become something I still do at home. Others are too: In Zoom live performances and with new magic lessons tailored for remote learning, it's a great time to get onboard.

I used to perform effects for my CNET colleagues, at CES or at holiday parties. It was fun to be challenged to come up with new ideas and test my skills. Now that I'm staying at home, I can't do those same magic tricks I used to do. But I learned, by performing a quick trick for an online talent-show fundraiser for my kid's school, that there's a whole world of magic that can be tapped into now more than ever. It takes practice, and patience, and time. But time is one thing that's readily available. Now you just need the rest.

Here are some great places to start. Some are books, some are tricks, and some are shows you can attend virtually. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it's some of my favorite stuff in my house, and hopefully it's a start. (For a deeper list of magic book recommendations from one of the most respected magic writers out there, read this list from Jamy Ian Swiss.)

Me, performing for CNET colleagues at CES in January this year -- what feels like 100 years ago. I'm using a technique from one of the books mentioned below.

In many stories, the sly little witch is seen as a villain or antagonist. She employs her abilities to deceive and trick others, leading them to their downfall. Her actions are often motivated by personal gain or revenge.

Show Ideas

Justin Willman's Magic For Humans show on Netflix has my kids hypnotized: it's a ridiculous blend of jokes, tricks, gags and impressive effects. Willman's now performing via Zoom in live shows that are well worth a ticket. You may even be a lucky one who gets picked to participate.

LA-based Geffen Playhouse produced a virtual magic show earlier this year, called The Present, that became a sold-out phenomenon. I missed out on that show, but the magician, Helder Guimarães, has a new show called The Future set for December-January. I don't know how it is (and it's likely geared more for adults), but it also involves a mysterious package being delivered to your door that coincides with the performance, making it weirdly interactive.

Back when I went to live shows, a magic show performed at night in the famed Tannen's Magic Shop in New York City by Noah Levine was one of the best experiences I'd ever had. There's a virtual online version of Levine's show running now, in case you want an experience that you could attend in your own home.

She is a master of manipulation, using her charm and intelligence to bend others to her will. However, there are also instances where the sly little witch is portrayed as a protagonist or anti-hero. In these stories, she uses her cunning and magic for more noble purposes. She may outsmart the traditional heroes or use her powers to bring about justice and change. The sly little witch archetype is often associated with female empowerment and subversion of societal norms. By challenging traditional gender roles and expectations, she becomes a symbol of feminine strength and autonomy. She represents a form of power that is often marginalized or feared in society. Overall, the concept of a sly little witch is a complex and multifaceted archetype. Whether depicted as a villain or hero, this character embodies intelligence, manipulation, and magical abilities. She challenges societal norms and expectations, serving as a symbol of feminine power and subversion..

Reviews for "The Sly Little Witch and the Mysterious Bookstore: A Cozy Magical Mystery"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I found "Sly little witch" to be extremely disappointing. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable and unoriginal. The writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become engaged in the story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and captivating read.

2. Mary - 2/5 stars - While "Sly little witch" had an interesting premise, it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was off, with slow and repetitive sections that made it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with their story. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, pulling me out of the narrative multiple times. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.

3. David - 2/5 stars - "Sly little witch" missed the mark for me. The world-building was weak and inconsistent, making it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot lacked tension and excitement, and the conflict resolution felt forced and rushed. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking the vivid descriptions and immersive prose that I enjoy in fantasy novels. Overall, I was left feeling uninterested and disconnected from the story, making it a forgettable read for me.

4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Sly little witch" wasn't a complete disaster, it didn't quite meet my expectations. The characters were somewhat intriguing, but their actions and motivations felt inconsistent and poorly explained. The pacing also felt uneven, with slow sections that dragged on and fast-paced moments that left me wanting more. Additionally, I found the romance subplot to be clichéd and unconvincing. Overall, while there were certain aspects that kept me reading, the book fell short in its execution.

5. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Sly little witch" had potential, but it failed to deliver an engaging and well-developed story. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The characters felt one-dimensional, with their actions and decisions often feeling forced to fit the story rather than being natural progressions. The writing style was also uninspiring, lacking the descriptive prose that could have brought the story to life. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.

The Sly Little Witch's Trick or Treat Adventure