Terry Stokes and Michael Johns Hypnosis Unleashed Comedy Show in Las Vegas

You wouldn’t think from looking at Terry Stokes and Michael Johns that they’re hypnotists. Terry’s persona is more like “George Hamilton and old-Vegas” and Michael comes across more as a “VIP clubber” than anything else.

Terry Stokes got his start one night in 1969 when he saw hypnotist Jack Berry perform his nightclub act in Atlanta. After that mesmerizing evening, he devoted every waking moment to the study of hypnotism. In fact, Terry claims that he has trained or is responsible for the careers of the industry’s most successful hypnotists.

In early 2000, Terry, together with Executive Producer, Richard Keeley, opened up two shows, “Hypnosis Gone Wild” and “Hypnolarius” at Bourbon Street Hotel & Casino, which was the beginning of a successful eight-year run in Las Vegas. Other venues include The Stardust, Tuscany Suites & Casino, House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, Empire Ballroom and now, Harmon Theater.

Michael Johns had a more circuitous route to hypnosis – his roots stem from stand-up comedy and he got into hypnosis “by accident” when he volunteered for a hypnosis show and woke up two hours later with his pants around his ankles and abusing a chair.

We caught up with the duo when they recently celebrated their 2,000th show in Las Vegas, making it the longest-running Hypnosis act on The Strip. They paired-up back in 2004, when the show was called “Hypnosis Gone Wild.”

A quick chat with both gentlemen revealed that they’re happier with their current arrangement. Each of them perform on alternate nights, and this set-up allows them to have a show every night, with no fail.

I know they call themselves “the bad boys of hypnosis,” but in reality (forgive us) they couldn’t be any nicer. They were friendly, without being in “showbiz mode” and chatty without giving pat answers.

This being the first time I attended a hypnosis show, I asked Terry, if anything was different in this new show and he said, “Well, we’re making more money.” Waving his glibness aside, he added “We do about 100 to 110 people per night. We like our new venue because it’s cozier, it’s more intimate.”

This show was also ‘extra-special’ because both Terry and Michael were performing together. Michael pipes in “I hate doing this,” referring to the extra media attention they would be getting for that night, though his tone and facial expression conveyed the exact opposite of his statement. And with a background in comedy, I didn’t take him seriously, because he really worked the crowd, from the moment he stepped out on stage.

Michael’s fast-and-furious spiel will leave those who are a little slow on the uptake, in the dust. Let me warn you that this show requires a lot of audience participation, so you’ve been forewarned. Although, judging from the number of volunteers that night, if you belong to the more “passive” group, then you can just as happily sit way in the back and not ever set foot on stage.

Apparently, being hypnotized is way easier than most people think. Michael says it takes it only takes three things for you to get hypnotized, “One, you gotta want it to happen. Two, you have to be at least of average intelligence; and three, you have to be good at following directions.” Well, that seems to be check, check and check for the 11 or so volunteers that night. Michael runs them through the paces, with various scenarios, and all with an adult theme, though nothing really over the top.

Then it’s Terry’s turn and the antics continue in the same vein. His segment was a little raunchier, and the volunteers got a lot more “solo-time,” which was hilarious. We can’t divulge much but the funnier moments involved a teddy bear, sneezing and a whole lot more words not fit for print.

Never fear, the duo don’t really make you do embarrassing things. Well, not really. It’s all in good fun, and as they both point out, “We can’t make you have a good time,” but I certainly did. Who knows? Maybe I was hypnotized.