Firebrand

David Copperfield -- he who plummeted down Niagara Falls, made the Statue of Liberty vanish, and was even engaged to Claudia Schiffer -- is trying to top himself. In the live CBS special ''Copperfield: Tornado of Fire!'' on April 3, the 44 year old magician will stand inside an F2 level, 2,000 degree funnel of flames. ''I could die, seriously,'' he insists. ''I'm getting through it with a sense of humor.'' Which brings us to our favorite trick: stupid questions.

Admit it, you're more afraid of messing up your hair than being burned alive. How do you keep each strand perfectly in place?
Florence Henderson gave that secret away -- Wessonality.

You say in this new special you'll do ''tricks with underwear.'' Is this as good as it sounds?
Yeah, I make women's underwear change places in the most tasteful and hygienic way that you can on live TV. And they go home smiling. Tornado of fire -- so what?

Perform the most challenging magic feat known to man: Spell prestidigitation.
P-R-... See, actually it's from the Greek presti, which means fast; digit, which means fingers; and tation, which means tation. So that would be P-R-E-S-T-I-D-I-G-E-T... no, D-I-G... I can't spell.

Did you want to saw Fox's Masked Magician in half after he revealed the industry's trade secrets?
He didn't expose jack. Actually, we're using him as a test dummy for Tornado of Fire. But he's safe because s--- don't burn.

Ever consider using a catchphrase to boost your popularity, like “Show me the bunny!''
For a while I was using, “If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.'' Didn't stick. Then I moved on to “Ich bin ein Berliner.'' No one got it, but it got me engaged for six years.

You're currently dating a hot Belgian model named Ambre Frisque. Can I tell you that you're my hero?
Have you seen pictures? Oh, you gotta check her out. She's the new Dentyne Ice girl. She taught me how to eat gum. She was just frisking me right now. [off phone] Baby, come here. You've got a fan here. [Ambre picks up] Bonjour.

What's David's secret for attracting such beautiful women?
His magic wand. [Ambre returns the phone to Copperfield] There you go. You didn't have to cue her or anything.

All right, Mr. Magic: Make me disappear right now.
[Dial tone]