Q&A With Hypnotist and Evil Genius Anthony Cools
Anthony Cools, “Hypnotist and Miscreant in Residence” (we made that up) at Paris Las Vegas, is one of the more enigmatic performers on the Las Vegas Strip. His racy (definitely too tame a word), hilarious show flies in the face of any preconceived notions about what a Vegas hypnosis show should be. It’s bold and raunchy and fast-paced and, bottom line, it’s funny as hell.
So, we thought we’d ask the man himself a few probing questions. (A term he’d appreciate, by the way.) Here he is, in all his uncensored glory, Anthony Cools.
Anthony Cools' show is proof that decency laws in Vegas tend to be very, very lax.
Pulse of Vegas Blog: What’s the biggest misconception people have about stage hypnotism and hypnosis shows in Vegas?
Anthony Cools: I think the market worldwide has been saturated lately by hypnosis shows that have turned the world off. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. This is why networks don’t allow hypnotists (in general) on T.V. I like to think my show is different because of all the details I put into it. The show has morphed over the years into a true Las Vegas production. It’s the details of how we dress our sexy schoolgirl hostesses, to the custom 3-D movie to entertain guests as they’re walking in. High-tech lights choreographed to the routines. And every joke’s honed to get the biggest laughs. I go to great lengths to bring new material nightly. (And, yes, my peers steal it rapidly. Thanks, YouTube.)
POV: What do people tend to remember most, or talk about most, related to your shows?
Cools: I have several signature skits, all very adult-themed, of course, from auditioning for a porn movie with a chair as the partner to orgasms at the end…for everyone.
POV: When you’re not performing, what shows and restaurants do you frequent in town?
Cools: I love most of the shows in town, although I, like many entertainers, think Cirque shows have simply diluted themselves into nothing special anymore. Sorry, I just have the guts to say it. I love great sushi, like Osaka on Sahara. I enjoy being a homebody most of the time.
POV: You are a hypnotist and you’re always in the company of beautiful women. Any connection?
Cools: No, I just pay them. Wink-wink. (Please don’t wake them up if you see me with one.)
Two marketing associates for the Anthony Cools experience.
POV: Does it help or hurt when your audience volunteers are inebriated?
Cools: Definitely hurts. I can’t hypnotize anyone not of “sound mind.” This includes drugs, alcohol and stupidity. (The last one’s my favorite.)
POV: How do you tell if an audience volunteer is just faking being hypnotized?
Cools: I get asked that in almost every interview I do, and it’s the one question I won’t answer. If people know what I’m looking for, they’re more prone to try to get one by me and fake it. It’s a secret of the trade, sorry.
POV: What’s going on in your world, related to the show or not?
Cools: I just bought a fish. Its name is Dalton. Exciting, huh? Actually, I enter what’s going on in my life almost daily on my Facebook page. Lets just say I’m always “Living the dream.”
POV: The hypnosis segments of your show are great, but your running commentary is truly hilarious. Do you have writers? (And we’re not just kissing up.)
Cools: I write all the comedy in the show, I work very hard at getting “a laugh a line.” I’ll take that question as a huge compliment. Thanks!
POV: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Cools: I know I’m supposed to say something very clever here, like: “I only work two hours a night,” “I make people smile and laugh and feel good while they’re in my experience.” But I think I’m gonna go with, “I get to stare down women’s tops in the front row.”
POV: On the signs for your show, you list “Cools Rules.” What’s your favorite?
Cools: It just got approved, and it’s going on one of our billboard trucks. “Surgeon General’s warning still pending.”
One of Anthony Cools' infamous rules.
POV: What weird hypnosis-related requests do you get?
Cools: Some people still think hypnosis is some sort of “power,” that it’s not an education, so I do get “Have you ever used your powers for evil?” My response is, “Of course. Every night onstage at Paris.”
POV: Is it possible some of the things that happen during your show are illegal in lots of countries? And maybe even this country?
Cools: In order for it to be illegal, first it has to be admitted it exists. In the eyes of the law, hypnosis does not exist. That’s why hypnotized people can’t have their testimonies allowed in court. I was interviewed for a book called “Magic and the Law.”
POV: When did you start covering the legs of subjects wearing short skirts?
Cools: As soon as I realized it was revealing. I think it was my second or third show, back in 1994.
POV: You always look like you’re up to something. What’s that all about?
Cools: I am always up to something. Am I that transparent? I’ll need to work on that.
See Anthony Cools live at Paris.
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