It makes so much sense that Teller's heroes are storytellers. I think the default assumption for why magic is fascinating is because it defies intuitive logic,

It makes so much sense that Teller's heroes are storytellers. I think the default assumption for why magic is fascinating is because it defies intuitive logic, but that's only one part of the equation. A great magic act isn't just the trick, but how the context is delivered to the audience to surprise them. > I do the old Needle trick. I get a guy up on stage, who examines the needles. I swallow them. He searches my mouth. They're gone. I dismiss him and he leaves the stage. The audience thinks the trick is over. Then I take out the thread. "Haha! Floss!" they exclaim. I eat the floss. Then the wise ones start saying, "Not floss, thread. Thread. Needles. Needles and thread. Ohmygod he's going to thread the need..." And by that time they're out and sparkling in the sunshine. In this example, the audience is probably getting at least as much joy out of being surprised at where the act goes next as they are wondering how Teller can swallow the needles. The extremeness of the act may not be as important at that point, especially for those familiar with Penn & Teller, because we can already accept that they can somehow appear to be doing something like swallowing needles. It's the fact that we don't exactly know what's going to happen next, or even if the act has completed, that makes it exciting regardless of how particularly advanced the magic is.