David Blaine said he was going to hang upside down for 60 hours, but in fact he stood up several times an hour, because doctors said he needed to get his head above his heart so he wouldn’t die. He almost did die in his water globe stunt last time.

How about retire the publicity stunts, and start doing some real magic.

David Blaine (35) really did set a new world record Wednesday for holding his breath. The time, 17 minutes and 4 seconds. His left attempt was after spending a prolonged period of time in a water sphere leaving him weak. He had seizures when pulled from the water sphere on his first attempt. This time, he was alert and relaxed.

How did he do it? Blood doping.

Blaine used a low oxygen tent to force his body to make a lot more oxygen carrying red blood cells. The tent simulates a high altitude, low oxygen, environment that the body adapts to. Athletes use these tents to increase their performance. Blaine used it to successfully break the world record.

Blaine also inhaled pure oxygen through a mask to saturate his blood with oxygen and flush out carbon dioxide.

Guinness says up to 30 minutes of so-called "oxygen hyperventilation" is allowed under its guidelines.

The previous record was 16 minutes and 32 seconds, set by Switzerland’s Peter Colat, according to Guinness World Records.

Blaine said this was "a lifelong dream."

Watch Blaine break the record in the video below.

On April 30th David Blaine will try to break the record for holding his breath on Oprah LIVE! The Guinness World Record is currently 16 minutes and 14 seconds. This is going to get huge ratings. Blaine’s last attempt, after rotting away under water, failed. He blamed his failure on fatigue. This time he could succeed, and end up more brain dead than he already is. My guess is he’ll have a seizure, and will require medical attention before he can complete the stunt.

Good luck!

Criss Angel insiders confirm he’s only using Britney Spears for the publicity. Page Six reports:

“He doesn’t even really talk to her when they go out. This weekend at [club] LAX, they weren’t seated at the same table, but when the paparazzi were around he jumped in all the pictures. . . . The paparazzi all have his number.” Meanwhile, some of the stories leaked to the tabloids about how Angel was orchestrating a big VMA number for Spears using mirrors are false. “She is just doing a straight-up performance of her new single, ’Gimme More.’”

I hate to break this to everyone, but Crisco Angelo is mindf**king you all. First he makes us think he’s dating Britney, now he’s just using her, so what’s he gonna do next escape from a coffin after being buried alive? Sure Angel did escape after being buried alive, but everyone says it was fake, and David Blaine did it already in 1999 in front of a live audience. You know what this means? Criss Angel is really David Blaine. I knew that name sounded fake. I’m shaking right now, and I’m not even cold. This guy is good.

People. com has a little story about the excitement at NYC hotspot Butter the other night. Other outlets (including Page Six) claimed that Madonna notably shined Janet Jackson on, while partying with a number of famous friends.

Of course, it could be senility. Madonna is looking pretty haggard lately.

People is reporting this:

Madonna, Janet Jackson, Shakira, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and others were living it up in the club’s swank banquettes.

Looking comfortable in her créme getup with suspenders hanging at her waist and her hair in a ponytail, Madge made a grand entrance – accompanied by three bodyguards. During her 30-minute visit, her hit "Like a Prayer" was piped over the speakers. Around the same time, Jackson strolled in, looking slim, with her hair pulled back tightly into a pristine bun.

So, it’s established that Madonna and Jackson arrived around the same time.

Then, People details the activities all of these superstars, except Miss Jackson, as well as the movements of Penelope Cruz, David Blaine, and Tony Parker. (What? No Guy Ritchie or Gary Coleman?)

The story ends with: "At around 2:45, the group checked out, continuing their party at Bungalow 8."

Though there’s no actual mention of Madge ignoring the Rhythm Nation artist, one can infer that "the group" that went on to party at Bungalow 8 did not include Janet.

Let’s be charitable and venture a guess that Janet declined the invitation hoping to avoid catching that mysterious "old lady"/zombie arms disease.

Read it for yourself.