Hey guys-- I don't normally like to hit you with back-to-back updates like this, but we've had some amazing news come in in the last week or two:

#1 - iTunes names "Scam School" a "best video podcast of 2008!" - Just after I emailed you last week, iTunes released their "best of 2008" lists, featuring a few hand-picked selections representing the best in movies, albums, TV shows, and podcasts. And to my surprise, "Scam School" was listed in their picks for "Best Video Podcasts of 2008," coming in ahead of E!'s "The Soup," MSNBC's "Countdown," and "Oprah.com's Spirit Channel" (though behind Martha Stewart... Don't worry Martha, I'll get you yet!).

I really want to thank my producer Eileen Rivera and all the hard-working people at Revision3 for making the show such a success. They're the ones who make the show look so slick... I'm just the goofball who does a few tricks at the bar. :-) But most importantly, I want to thank you guys for making the show such a hit! Thanks for the submissions, for posting on the forums, for posting the positive reviews at iTunes.com, and most of all: for telling your friends about the show. You guys are the best.

If you haven't subscribed to scam school on iTunes yet, this is a perfect time. Just click this link, and it will open your iTunes browser to Scam School. Click "subscribe" and you're home free.

#2 - Brian co-hosts an episode of "the Digg Reel" - This one happened a few weeks ago, but it's definitely worth checking out. If you haven't seen the Digg Reel before, think of an internet version of "The Soup," sharing the week's highlights in online videos (with colorful commentary). It's hosted by Andrew Bancroft, but while I was in town to shoot Scam School, he was nice enough to let me guest co-host an episode. This has easily become one of my all-time favorite media appearances. It was over-the-top and a blast to shoot... you even get to see a one-of-a-kind magic performance from yours truly!

The Digg Reel does have plenty of adult language, so might not be safe for work or around the kids. (Oh, but definitely stick around for the outtakes).

#3 - Appearing on KXAN in Austin Saturday Morning - If you live in Austin, you can catch me doing a live interview on the local NBC affilliate KXAN around 8:40 am on December 13th. For up-to-the-minute updates, you can follow my twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/shwood (by the way, if you open a twitter account, you can get updates on these kinds sent to your cell phone... perfect for when something comes up, but I don't have time to put together a proper email like this one).

Keep in touch (and don't forget we're still booking shows for Spring 2009 tour)...

Much love,

Brian Brushwood
Bizarre Magic, Inc.
http://www.shwood.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/shwood