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He's at it again! Just a week after his lottery prediction caused a storm, Derren Brown has been talking about his next stunt which will see him 'controlling the nation'.
Later this week on Channel 4 (Friday, 9pm) the illusionist claims he will use 'subliminal messaging' techniques that will leave viewers stuck to their seats for several minutes.
But what if there's a power cut midway through the show and you are left like that forever, we hear you cry? Well, he's thought about that and claims there is no need to worry. He said: "If their TV breaks or I died suddenly, after a few minutes people will be able to stand up again. It's safe and it won't work on everybody.
"It's applying what I do one on one and turning it into a piece of technology that can be broadcast. It has never been done before."
While this week's show is unlikely to have the same impact as the lottery prediction, it does raise issues about how he is going to get around strict TV guidelines on hypnotism. TV regulator Ofcom states:
When broadcasting material featuring demonstrations of hypnotic techniques, broadcasters must exercise a proper degree of responsibility in order to prevent hypnosis and/or adverse reactions in viewers and listeners. The hypnotist must not broadcast his/her full verbal routine or be shown performing straight to camera.
If you haven't guessed by now, we're not convinced that Derren is really going to control the nation this week - though maybe that's because we're still feeling just a little bit duped after his explanation of how he predicted the lottery last Friday.
We were one of more than four million people who tuned in to hear him reveal that he used predictions from a group of members of the public to pick his winning numbers. Really? Not surprisingly, this explanation on You Tube is a lot more convincing:
So, will you be tuning in to Derren this Friday to see if he can control you? Or maybe you feel cheated by last week's lottery explanation and have had enough? We want to hear what you think...
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User comments
No chance- it is just a thing called averages he does... this is a good wedding dance though al green wedding dance on a search it's brilliant
Posted by: karldeitch1 on Wed Sep 16 12:37PM | Report abusethere is no way you can control a nation by making people sit there.
Posted by: knightsofedessa on Wed Sep 16 12:38PM | Report abusewho cares
Posted by: rayvharding33 on Wed Sep 16 12:38PM | Report abuseNo intentions of watching any of this garbage, did not see last weeks lotto thing. Mmm a trip to the pub sounds appealing.
Posted by: sarahmoffatclark on Wed Sep 16 12:39PM | Report abusei dont
Posted by: rayvharding33 on Wed Sep 16 12:40PM | Report abuseNo has got NO CHANCE !! or as much chance as Gordon Brown as of putting us under a spell !!
Posted by: jcooknw on Wed Sep 16 12:42PM | Report abusewhat about if you are standing up?or not watching tv?
Posted by: malcolmnicholls133 on Wed Sep 16 12:43PM | Report abuseThis os complete and utter mince There are VERY strict guidelines regaqrding the use of hypnosis regarding treatment and it can only be done by a registered practitioner There are even more strict rules for it being shown on TV This is just a stunt by a self serving publicist and makes a mockery of the real benefits that treatment like this can bring
Posted by: ajm19568 on Wed Sep 16 12:43PM | Report abuseWill nor be watching after his lottery prank
Posted by: norma.neilly on Wed Sep 16 12:44PM | Report abuseThere is no way Derren Brown is going to control the nation. It's bad enough that we have that Gordon Brown doing the same thing. We do not need another Brown trying to achieve something equally as stupid.
Posted by: patrickgene001 on Wed Sep 16 12:44PM | Report abuse