Sikeston man featured on 'Don't Blink' program

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston native and mentalist Morgan Strebler is entertaining people on the streets with his mind-bending talents in a weekly, national television program.

Strebler, who also is a psychological illusionist, is one of 16 magicians featured on "Don't Blink," which airs at 11:30 p.m. Thursdays on PopTV Network.

"Don't Blink" takes viewers inside the world of underground street magicians as they mesmerize onlookers, including stars from favorite films and television shows.

"It's a really fun show, and there's some great people on it," Strebler said. "It shows some great magicians and good magic."

Strebler has worked with the show's producers before.

"The producers of 'Don't Blink' are the same from 'Masters of Illusion,' a TV show I did two years ago for The CW, and they called (and asked me to be on the show)," Strebler said.

Strebler traveled in June to Los Angles, where he performed a considerable amount of material.

"We shot right there on Hollywood Boulevard," Strebler said, adding he filmed about 24 "effects," from bending a glass bottle to floating on the sidewalk to reading people's minds.

Strebler is viewed as one of the world's leading experts and performers in the field of psychokinetic magic, which is the ability to affect objects using only the mind.

Prior to filming, Strebler sent a list of tricks he wanted to do, and the producers approved them in advance.

The show's producers have taken parts of the footage to make 30 episodes, which are airing on PopTV at 11:30 p.m. Thursdays. Strebler said he is slated to be featured in this Thursday's episode.