Derren Brown's "Grown-Up" Magic

You might have noticed a shift in Derren Brown's magic routines over the years. He has moved from sheer astonishing tricks to themed, point-making documentaries. His recent show, Miracles for Sale, is typical of the kind of fraudulent-medium-debunking show that really inspires him these days.

In a recent article, he explained: "Over the years, I've entirely grown out of the urge that got me into magic.I've pulled it into areas that I think are more grown-up and worthwhile, into areas that aren't about me going 'Ta-dah! Aren't I amazing!'

Poll Results: Derren Brown Svengali Spoilers Surprisingly Unpopular

In my most recent poll, I asked: "Is it wrong for AboutDerrenBrown to offer Svengali Spoilers?" The results were as follows:

1. Derren wants you to stop: 80% (41 votes)
2. Not sure: 0%
3. No - This is a valuable service: 19% (10 votes)

I have to point out that only 51 people voted, out of perhaps 3000 people who visited the blog during the period of the poll. Nonetheless, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of people who care enough to vote think I should avoid posting Svengali spoilers. A few people left comments explaining their reasoning on my article entitled "Derren Brown Svengali Spoilers."

Here at AboutDerrenBrown, we support democracy, so I intend to lay off of the spoilers. But I have to admit that I don't really get it. No one is forced to read articles on this blog; why is it so offensive for spoilers to exist somewhere on the web for people who happen to want them?

And those of you who voted against my posting spoilers (all 41 of you) -- and especially those of you who have seen The Gathering -- don't you at least wonder a little bit if Derren has hypnotized you to oppose Svengali spoilers?

Nordic minds will be controlled by Derren Brown

Although Derren Brown is a household name in the UK, the lack of worldwide distribution of his shows has frustrated many non-UK fans. The Nordic countries are in luck, though.

Beginning in August 2011, many of Derren's shows (including both specials and series) will be aired in the Nordic region. You can see the details at Media News International.

Poll: Is it wrong to offer Svengali Spoilers?

Not everyone approves of my efforts to uncover information about Derren Brown's Svengali. See, for example, my full-length piece called "Derren Brown Svengali Spoilers." One reader commented that the "decent thing" would be to take down the article, because Derren does not want spoilers on the web.

Personally, I don't see any harm in finding out as much as we can about Derren's new stage show. But I'm interested in your opinion.

So please vote in the new poll (over there somewhere --->) that asks whether it is wrong for AboutDerrenBrown to offer Svengali Spoilers.

Top 5 Derren Brown Tricks of All Time

Here are my picks for top 5 Derren Brown tricks ever. Leave a comment if you disagree:

1. Dog track trick. Short piece in which Derren gets a dog track to pay out on a losing ticket. This is the first Derren clip I ever saw.

2. Russian Roulette. Sensational TV special in which Derren Brown seemingly plays Russian Roulette on live TV.

3. Paying with paper (in NYC). Derren manages to make major purchases from New York retailers using blank pieces of paper.

4. The Heist. A special about getting ordinary people to commit a major crime. Beyond the trick itself, the concept was interesting.

5. Hero at 30,000 feet. A passenger on an airpline is made to overcome his fears and become a hero.

Three of my five picks are specials, but that shouldn't be too surprising -- Derren had more time to develop those tricks. Each of them was unique and stunning.

Derren Brown co-host Kat Akingbade on Positive Action

You know Kat Akingbade as Derren Brown's co-host on Channel 4's web series. Today, in a compelling critique about the UK's positive action law, Akingbade says she was hired to work with Derren because she is black.
Read the piece at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-devastating-blow-of-positive-action-2260821.html

Svengali - the Next Best Thing to Being There

Lady Claire has posted a great, in-depth account of her two viewings of Svengali -- including the whole pre-show experience as well as accounts of meeting Derren after the show (with photos, naturally). There are no spoilers about the show itself, for those of you who are sensitive to that.

So here's the link: Derren Brown, Svengali, Brighton - 9 & 12th March 2011