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How can a magician make his audience laugh with him, and display a little harmless self deprecating humor? Easy really... Here are a couple of lines I've used :
"Do you guys know the difference between me and a large pizza? A large pizza can feed a family of four... "
"I told my wife one time I had a half a mind to become a full-time magician. She said “That should definitely do it”.
"Do any of you know the difference between me and my South American Macaw? One of us is noisy, loud, and obnoxious, and the other one is a bird."
Someone told me once that they didn't like magicians, because they seemed so smug and sure of themselves, almost as if they knew a secret you didn't .(duh)... I can see where a few spectators might feel this way. Thus, the ability to laugh at myself.
Whether or not you can use this type of humor depends on your style of magic as well. Certainly, if you're trying to project yourself as a mysterious stranger type, this might not work for you. On the other hand, if you want to perform more along the lines of Mac King or Michael Finney, this is perfect for your act.