Derren Brown - Opinions

[Graham.J]

Any PH'ers seen him, absolutely phenominal.

What do you guys, and girlies think??

[smeagol]

Is this the bloke that uses phsycology/observation techniques to perform "magic" saw one of his shows and was impressed by some of it and not others. The cut scenes of him guessing peoples ocupations for example (how many did he get wrong?). Interesting but I felt one show would be enough (ie once you've seen him, you've seen all of his act)

[Graham.J]

It is yeah, he doesn't believe in telepathy or mind reading.

Alot of his stuff is the same/similar but ther different stuff really is astonishing.

[pbrettle]

Its all to do with suggestion and influence. Little more than that - but its his ability to process the information that he gets, manipulate it and send it back - thats the good bit...

For example, tonight with the chap in the cell - he kept talking about round and round, and low and behold, the chap draws something round on the board... not rocket science, just well executed observations, suggestions and influence....

Do agree though, once you have seen one or two episodes, then you have kinda seen them all. Clever and interesting though.

Cheers,

Paul

[dazren]

Met Derren Brown in a pub in Clifton, Bristol three years ago (he lives/used to live in the area). He was doing mind tricks etc. Being the largest, loudest, drunkest cynical git in the pub, I strolled over and he challenged me to think of a letter. I chose H, at which stage he flicked a piece of paper over showing the letter. I was so bloody gobsmacked I asked for his business card. A Couple of years later he is on the telly. Deservedly so in my opinion.

DAZ

[Graham.J]

He still lives in Bristol, Daz. Apparently he likes to eat at the most expensive restaurant in Bristol.

Well so it said in the article on him in The Sunday Telegraph (9th March)

[dazren]

Hi Graham

Didn't see you at Domster pub meet in Wycombe. Never mind I'll see you at a future meet.

Derren Brown told me that originally he was at Bristol university studying (Law?) when he got interested in the mind reading/conjuring stuff. I know three years ago he used to live a few doors up from a drinking buddy of mine in the Clifton Village area of Bristol.

Whatever he believes in and I've seen most of his programmes, he is still a very slick polished performer. I wish him a successful career, as before he was on the TV he did the trick with me and I was genuinely gobsmacked.

DAZ

[Graham.J]

Hi Daz,

Couldn't make Pie & Wye due to bad health, will probably see you at the next VW no doubt.

Yup, he was studying law and german at Bristol and apparently would hypnotise other students he was 18 when he saw a show done by a hypnotist and that's what he wanted to do with his life (so the article in the telegraph says)

It's funny where 'famous' people live, Alan Tichmarsh lives in Hampshire, Penelope (sp) Keith lives in Milford, Robbie Williams WAS (don't know if he did) going to buy a restaurant in Farnham as he used to go there often.

I love what Derren does, I've always been interested in 'magic' but he has to be my favorite 'artist'.

[dick dastardly]

I agree that once you have seen one of his shows, you've seen them all, but I still can't help watching it and wondering how he does it. I think the way he looks, his confidence and presence on screen make him seem more than he is, but there is no denying that the man has talent and is much more entertaining than Uri Geller!

This reminds me of his show: www.liquidgeneration.com/games/mindreader.asp

[samn01]

I have to say I think he is great and I think he has such a variety of skills.

Did anyone see the one were he went to a large library and speed read books in about 2 minutes then by using what he calls "mental Photographs" read from any page and line on request. Wow!

If I could have a drink with any 10 people alive today he would defiantly be one of them!!!

[ben lizard]

Going to see him on his tour this year , well next month ,

should be good his ability to suggest and influnce the subcoinse {sp} mind is brilliant

go here for his tour dates and his website

www.derrenbrown.co.uk/tour.asp

[bjwoods]

I like this guy... Mainly because he shows up 'Mediums' to be a bunch of complete charlatans, who manipulate the emotionally vulnerable.

Much like Houdini used to do... Anything they could do in the dark, he would do in half light, anything they would do in the half light he would do in the daylight...

Yet loads of numpties STILL belief in spirits, mediums, talking to the dead rubbish, on TV or phone lines,etc

B

[agent006]

Whenever he's been on the TV doing tricks, he keeps saying "it's not a fix, we've never met before...", so much that it starts to get a bit wearing and suggests that it is a fix.