Derren Tricks Booksellers: Or, The Phantom Derren Brown Book

Derren Brown has apparently been playing tricks of some kind on UK booksellers. The story comes from a blog called "Open a Bookshop, What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"

The blogger writes:

About 4-5 years ago,... there was a number of people in a short space of time who came into the shop to ask if we stocked a copy of the new book by Derren Brown. We looked on the computer and found that there wasn't anything available.... The customers were absolutely sure they'd seen something about the book on a poster or in a newspaper recently but couldn't remember the name of the book. Nothing unusual about this, but the strange thing is that every one of the customers who came in were so so sure they'd seen an advert about this book, they simply couldn't understand why we couldn't find it on the computer.... Katie and I have talked about this a few times and laughingly suggested that maybe these people had been hypnotised into thinking that the book existed.

But what's most provocative about the story is that several other booksellers report the same phenomenon -- see the comments section on the blog post.

What is going on here? Did Derren advertise a book, which was never released? Was this part of a trick? Any ideas?

Derren Brown's Hypno Pig

Derren Brown is involved in a new charity project. He is one of several celebrities who have decorated piggy banks, which will be auctioned on-line with proceeds to benefit a Bristol-based medical organization. Other participating celebrities reportedly include John Cleese and Steven Merchant.

DB's piggy bank has a familiar-looking goatee. One side of the pig sports a hypnotic swirl, while the other contains the words: "You are under my command; Give me your money!"

You can see a picture of the pig here, along with a photo of Derren apparently mind-controlling his creation.

What the piggy bank lacks in creativity, it makes up in style. And for the right price, it can be yours: PiggyBankAuction.com The 7-day auction begins November 4.

Derren Brown Mingles with Artsy Types

Last week, it was reported that Derren Brown will make his acting debut in BBC4's Crooked House this Christmas (see The Stage and iTricks). That's not technically true, because Derren appeared in a previous film. Clearly, though, he is interested in acting.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that he was hobnobbing with artsy types this past weekend in London. Artinfo reports that Derren attended the post-production party at Victoria Mira Gallery after the play Drama Queens at the Old Vic theater.

Kevin Spacey was also at the party. He participated in the production, as did Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes.

New 2009 Tour Dates for Derren?

Earlier this month, iTricks reported that tickets for Derren Brown's 2009 tour were being sold, even though the tour has not been announced.

Then, yesterday's Grimsby Telegraph's announced that Derren will perform in Grimsby May 15-16, 2009. Apparently, local venues have scheduled Derren's tour dates but the full schedule has not been released to the public.

If you want to see DB in person next year, and you know of a local venue where he has performed in the past, you might want to call and see if there are tickets to be had.

You Can Contribute to Derren Brown's Official Website

The news section of Derren's official site recently reported that DB has a new web design team. Hopefully, the new team will give us more frequent news updates, meatier biographical information, and some worthwhile downloads.

DB's assistant, Coops, has also posted a call for content:

[W]e also want user-submitted content so are calling on any of you who know of interesting web articles or research that come under the broad categories of Pseudo-Science, Magic or Psychology to submit them (for approval) to links@derrenbrown.co.uk.


This is your chance to contribute to the official site's overhaul. If you're wondering what links to submit to DB, I hear they have an excellent magic-themed website at AboutDerrenBrown.blogspot.com.

We Predicted It: Derren Brown and Joan Rivers

The July 8, 2008 post on AboutDerrenBrown -- entitled "Derren Brown and Joan Rivers, together at last?" -- was meant as joke, not a suggestion.

But check out WhatsOnStage.com, to see a photo of Derren Brown with Joan Rivers last night at the opening of Ms. Rivers' new show.

As you will recall from the prior entry, a PR agency called Clout Communications now represents both Derren Brown and Joan Rivers. I was hoping Clout would have the good sense to keep the two separate.

What's next? Joan Rivers cameos in Trick or Treat 3?

Derren Brown Meets "Cat Man"

According to the gossip pages, Derren was at the opening a Ripley's Believe It Or Not in Piccadilly last night:

OK.co.uk spotted Mica Paris and Michelle Gayle enjoying the free bar and convincing the barman to add more gin to their cocktails, while Derren Brown attempted to play mind games on guests.

It sounds like Derren was performing close-up magic.

Also in attendance were "Cat Man" and "Lizardman," billed as "the world's most modified men" (they have lots of tattoos).