Derren Brown : The Experiment

Posted by: rodwsmith on 16 November 2005

Hello all

You may remember that I mentioned I had met this magician/mind reader chap a month or so ago, and been hypnotised by him. (Although I wasn't 'under' in this picture, it just looks that way. Alarmingly so). Anyway, all the filming is now done, and they are editing for one (or maybe two) programmes to be broadcast around Christmas/New Year.

It was a great hoot for me from start to finish and I (and 12 others) had an enormous amount of fun, he is a thoroughly pleasant and charismatic guy. Although they could, of course, edit it to make me look like a complete tosser (wouldn't be too difficult, that) so maybe I shall live to eat those words.

We have promised not to reveal what the "experiment" actually was. The premise, I think, is that a person cannot make an action under hypnosis that they could not be persuaded to make in any case (because according to DB, there isn't actually any such thing as hypnosis, although as you may see it seemed to work on me alright).

His last two specials were (apart from the Jerry Springer Opera) the two most complained about programmes in British TV history, and there is ample evidence for me to suspect that this one will smack of controversy too.

As Fritz might say, I cannae say any more at this stage...

Rod (on the left!)
Posted on: 18 November 2005 by rodwsmith
The secret is out:

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=2258632005

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,1644801,00.html
(may need to register for this)

So, did I do it?
Er, have to wait and see...
I've still got the gun anyway, which should be worth something on ebay if they edit me to look (really) stupid.