Copperfield made his TV debut in a special for ABC several years later, and shortly after that began his long-term relationship with CBS. He has produced or executive produced several of his specials, and directed or co-directed (sometimes credited under his original name, David Kotkin) most of them as well. Copperfield's carefully courted elegance and self-consciously sexy performing style has lent dash and grace to a series of exciting escapes from exploding buildings and Niagara Falls, and he has regularly made large objects ranging from elephants to jet airliners to the Statue of Liberty disappear.