Seated on a bench in front of a stage where a line of dancers in leather and lace gyrate to house music is a guy wearing a ball cap sideways on his head. Around his neck is an oversize clock.

He is master magician Lance Burton, dressed as Flavor Flav.

Just a few feet away, nearly crawling across the bar, is a slightly built guy ordering a cocktail. He also is wearing a ball cap askance, and a big clock around his neck.

He is, in fact, Flavor Flav.

“Heeeeey boooooy!” he calls out, having been handed his drink. “I am (messed) up!”

A crowd of several dozen entertainment types laughs as a camera swings to capture Burton, Flavor Flav -- oh, and Carrot Top and old-time magician Johnny “The Great Tomsoni” Thompson -- all convening for a quick video clip.

What is the meaning of all this? As if by magic, Criss Angel, headliner at the Luxor since 2008 and the event’s roving emcee, supplies clarity:

“This is the future!”

Yes, it is. It also is the past, given the inclusion of such traditionally rooted magic men as not one but two Burtons (Nathan Burton also is involved in this freewheeling showcase) and the Great Tomsoni. The set is laid out like an old TV variety show, sort of like “The Ed Sullivan Show” as if Sullivan clashed with “Fantasy” at the Luxor -- and the “Fantasy” cast members were on hand, too.

But you’ll find this show nowhere on TV.

The recurring variety performances are part of Angel’s new online empire at MagicPlace.com. The next live-stream event, “Loyal Saturday,” an entertainment and interview show, is to be broadcast at noon Saturday and is free for any Angel fan (or anyone at all) by clicking on the website.

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