Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form

285 | Shawn Farquhar & Jon Ornoy (Lost in the Shuffle)

Posted on April 16, 2024January 7, 2025 By Sammy Younan No Comments on 285 | Shawn Farquhar & Jon Ornoy (Lost in the Shuffle)

My Summer Lair Chapter #285: What’s Up With The True Crime Story On The King Of Hearts?

Humans are storytellers and design is not just a story we tell ourselves and others…it’s a riveting expression. Just like playing cards…there’s so much we gloss over. Parents will teach you how to walk and how to read but rarely does anybody take the time to teach you how to see…see what I mean? Sign up for his newsletter and you’ll see wonder in no time.)

After watching Lost In The Shuffle at Hot Docs, this past April I’ve become even more curious about the murky origins of the cards.

The King of Hearts is known as the Suicide King because…he appears to be sticking his sword into his head. Why?

Seriously…dig out a deck of cards right now…it don’t matter if they’ve got Transformers on em or semi-naked Vegas showgirls on em or they’re just classic Bicycle Cards. Look for the Queen of Spades and the King of Hearts.

Now…what if these designs weren’t…I dunno…freaky Freemason symbols like on an American dollar bill or maybe even an inherited mistake from a time when everything was copied by hand. (Some monk having a case of the #Mondays.)

Magician Shawn Farquhar believes a simple deck of cards holds the key to solving a centuries-old royal murder mystery: how did Charles VIII, King of France, met his unexpected end on April 7th, 1498?

If you’re a True Crime fan…you’ll enjoy this:
“Will the greatest illusion of all prove to be that an ancient cold-case murder has been hiding under our noses all this time?”

The cards are the clues.

That’s the intriguing premise of Shawn’s Lost in the Shuffle magic documentary. In April the documentary premiered at the Hot Docs film festival in Toronto. And it’s directed by Jon Ornoy.

Behold, the Lost in the Shuffle trailer:

According to history…the 27-year-old King of France suddenly collapsed and became comatose. He laid down on a straw mat and he died 9 hours later.

Perhaps it was a brain hemorrhage?

Charles died after accidentally striking his head on the lintel of a door at the Château d’Amboise. Could that have something to do with it?

This is 1498 so medicine and science are not all the way there.

“Farquhar takes us through six countries as he both tries to prove his theory that hidden in the art of every deck of cards are the clues to the conspiracy to kill a French king in 1498,” notes a synopsis of the film, “while simultaneously creating a brand-new magic routine that tells the real story of Charles VIII’s untimely demise.”

Indeed. After watching Lost In The Shuffle…it’s not a Suicide King, rather it’s a King who is being murdered. Oh, that’s much different.

Now we’re cooking with gas! Magic alters your perspective and naturally provides an opportunity to see something special.

Shawn Farquhar makes a compelling case…has he effectively solved the mysterious death of Charles VIII of France, the King who bumped his head?

I’ll let you watch the documentary. You tell me.

For more on this intriguing premise and magic and playing cards I sat down with Shawn, the magician and Jon, the director to understand…how the ordinary can become extraordinary.

Lost in the Shuffle @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Monday April 29, 2024 at 2:00 pm (EST)

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…like the strange joys of True Crime!

My Summer Lair, Podcast Tags:Comic Books, Directors, Documentaries, Hot Docs, Hot Docs 2024, Jon Ornoy, Magic, Magicians, Shawn Farquhar

Post navigation

Previous Post: 284 | Yourgo Artsitas (TR(ol)L: New Kids on the Block, TRL & the Chain Letter)
Next Post: 286 | Dinosaur Trainer Lindsay (Jurassic Quest)

More Related Articles

Scott Listfield (Quarantine) and Sammy Younan in My Summer Lair 171 | Scott Listfield (Quarantine) My Summer Lair
Jordan Ain’t No Joke Episode 3 (The Last Dance Podcast) Garbage Time - NBA
316 | Ruth Connell (Supernatural) My Summer Lair
Katie Douglas (Level 16) 105 | Katie Douglas (Level 16) My Summer Lair
275 | Sam Roberts (The Adventures Of Ben Blank) My Summer Lair
Chris Banks (Deepfake Serenade) My Summer Lair 239 | Chris Banks (Deepfake Serenade) My Summer Lair

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • #SetTheVCR: October 06-12, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    With these week's TV recommendations say goodbye to John Candy and the Woman In Cabin 10. But say hello to #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: September 29 – October 05, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Like a man in the basement I got TV recommendations that are a Chef's Kiss. On The Lost Bus, this is your stop: It's #SetTheVCR!
  • #SetTheVCR: September 22-28, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    I got the Lowdown on this week's TV Recommendations so you don't hafta Go Into The Void all Wayward and lost. Just as The Simpsons keep going, so too does #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: September 15-21, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    This week's TV Recommendations are not a Stop Gap Measure. Rather it's a Lilith Fair celebration of charming TV presented as #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: September 08-14, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Lots of TV Recommendations for you to Sheen this week. Like your Cable Guy, I got you hooked up with #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: September 01-07, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Have I Got News for You: I got TV Recommendations for you Winter Spring Summer or Fall. From the Highest 2 Lowest this is #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 25-31, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    This week's #SetTheVCR is dedicated to my Stans.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 18-24, 2024
    by Sammy Younan
    Night Always Comes and like a TV Gambler you seek bold TV Recommendations without going Eenie Meanie. Once again #SetTheVCR is here to help, always cooler than Devo.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 11-17, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    This week’s TV recommendations are all locations from The Kingdom to Magic City to Alien: Earth. When it comes to Sammy Suggestions for #MustSeeTV I’m a #SetTheVCR Rainmaker.
  • #SetTheVCR: August 04-10, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    If your Hobby is to Pickup dope TV Recommendations like an American Prince this week's #SetTheVCR is funner than a Clown in a Cornfield.
  • #TIFF50: Eleanor the GreatSeptember 25, 2025
    In Eleanor The Great, June Squibb brings to life the proudly troublesome Eleanor Morgenstein, who after a devastating loss, tells a dangerous tale.
  • Morning Tea: Happy UFO Day 2025!July 2, 2025
    What's popping in popular culture? My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan steeps some seriously serious tea which prompts reflections.
  • Trial By Trailer: The Running Man (A Remake…)July 1, 2025
    Trail By Trailer is judging a book by its cover or in this case...a movie by its trailer. Are you 100% IN or is it a Hard Pass?
  • #CouchWorthy: Barbara Walters: Tell Me EverythingJune 22, 2025
    Exploring the pioneering career of Barbara Walters. Delving into her influential role in broadcast journalism and the challenges women face in achieving success.
  • #CouchWorthy: Bono: Stories of SurrenderMay 29, 2025
    Bono: Stories of Surrender is a vivid reimagining of his one-man stage show Stories of Surrender now streaming on Apple TV.
  • #CouchWorthy: Super Team CanadaMay 16, 2025
    Super Team Canada follows six lesser known and underrated Canadian superheroes, tasked with saving the world.

  • Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    Under-Review: Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    by Sammy Younan
    My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan reviews Batman - Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: OvertureL Volume 1,
  • New Book Alert: California Bear
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Music Was Just Getting Good
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Ascent
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: Fantastic Four by Ryan North Volume 2
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?

Copyright © 2025 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme