He is single-handedly
reshaping the image of hypnosis from something perceived to be
of the vaudeville era into something palatable for the MTV generation.
His recent appearance on the TODAY SHOW brought rave reviews and
stopped traffic in midtown Manhattan. His one-man show is setting
comedy club attendance records from coast to coast as audiences
catch on to his fresh combination of hypnotism and comedy. He is
comedic hypnotist Flip Oley and his day to day breaking of stereotypes
has audiences breaking into laughter, and more often awe.
Orley's recent appearance on "Entertainment
Tonight" was nothing if not original as he hypnotized reporter
Garrett Glazer and made him see stars—movie stars. Everywhere!
Orley has also appeared on "The Martin Short Show", "Comic
Strip Live", the "Rikki Lake Show", "Maury
Povich" and "Space Ghost (Coast to Coast)." But
it is his uncanny way with subjects, his finely tuned power of
suggestion and rapid fire delivery that keep audiences coming back
for more. Unlike past generations of hypnotists, Orley does not
humiliate his subjects for comic effect, but entertains by enlightening
his audience...often with lasting beneficial effects on those who
have been induced into hypnosis. After making them forget their
own names, having them regress to age 5, or pledge undying love
to complete strangers in a highly original version of "The
Newlywed Game," subjects often report less stress, better
sleep, more energy, and a renewed libido.
Orley is adamant about not embarrassing his volunteers. "I
want the audience to laugh with them, not at them." he says. "This
is the purest form of improvisational entertainment you will ever
see as the show rewrites itself every night, and volunteers are
my partners, not my victims. Each subject is treated with respect
and gentility"
Flip Orley's journey to becoming the most innovative
hypnotist of his time began by his purchasing a book when he was
in the 6th grade called How to Pick
Up Girls Through Hypnotism. Although the advice in that
particular book did not pay off, Orley became obsessed with the
subject matter and learned everything he could about it. Flip studied
psychology at the University of Arizona with the intention of becoming
a clinical hypnotist. It was while majoring in psychology at the
University of Arizona, however, that Orley discovered stand up
comedy.
Hypnosis took second place for a time as Orley
honed his comedic skills in small clubs around the country. He
eventually hit upon the idea of combining the two, and was able
to successfully hypnotize 20 subjects on stage with his very first
try. The rest is comedy club history as marquees across the country
invariably read "Flip Orley/Held Over, 8th Week," "...10th
week," "...14th Week."
Orley has not rejected the clinical side of hypnotism,
however, and often uses his highly developed techniques in seminars
and workshops to help people deal with stress management, weight
control, and compulsive disorders like smoking and shopping. He's
been used by dentists and doctors when patients are allergic to
anesthesia...he was used by one dentist who operated on one patient
for almost 2 hours without an anesthetic.
Whether he bounds on stage in a T-shirt and jeans,
or a button-down and tie, Orley rolls up his sleeves and for two
hours gives each audience all he has to give, while he teaches
them about all they have to give ... to themselves. |