That's the exception, I believe. Psychic readings will always be popular because they are about human stories.

This would be true if it were always the case. I think all the interest just ebbs and flows like other flavors of the month. We can never predict what the audience will latch onto at any given moment. Hollywood has been making movies for a long time and they use test audiences to get real scientific on what the public will like and yet they keep making movies that tank. Why? "Because no one knows nothing"--a quote from William Goldman about Hollywood, but I feel it fits all categories.

If we as entertainers knew what the public would be completely fascinated by, then we would be doing it. If everyone could have figured that coming out with a show where you feature a mumbling magician doing standard effects on the streets would be a hit then they would have produced one a long time ago. Of course, it doesn't stop everyone from jumping on the bandwagon when that certain something hits. The people or things that hit are usually doing something that comes natural to them and whatever that is happens to coincide with what the public will be liking at that moment. There are very few stories of people purposely starting out to set a fad and then doing so.

What does this all mean? Well, if you could really predict the future you would then know what the next big thing would be and you would be doing it and not trying to figure out why something is working now or not. I choose to make my own path and rules and see if anyone will follow them. If they don't, I'm still happy doing what I like to do, in the style I like to do it in. So I'm sure, for now, talking to the dead is in until someone maybe decides to create a mime psychic who relates his predictions with a series of hand gestures. Hey, wait a minute!
Greg

Derren's stuff is brilliant until you run into an area of your own particular knowledge. If anybody was impressed by the casino blackjack game, all I can say is, don't start dusting off your Memorize A Deck or mnemonic routines and hitting the casinos. That casino must have been the one in the first Star Wars movie.

I think the length of this string implicitly answers the original question. If he had "lost it" then it would have tailed off very quickly. But there is evidently still a lot of interest and I understand his Channel 4 programme added one million to the viewing figures compared with the ones it relaced (a blunt instrument I know but it's what counts in some quarters). If there were shares on offer in Derren Brown plc then I'd buy them, and I suspect many of his critics would as well (discreetly naturally).

I agree, it's about doing what YOU like doing. But still, it remains a fact that everything has a shelf life; as far as success with the media goes. And every media success will peak and then tail off. The question about Derren isn't will he or won't he... it's when will he? He may still be gaining veiwing figures; but at some point they will drop off. Hopefully not for a long time, but it's my opinion that it will be sooner than later. Of course, I might be completely wrong. Only time will tell.....

I agree that most things have a shelf life, but my question about this particular thread and a few others like it is: Why do we constantly want to dwell in others' possible demise? Why are we so quick to start judging when someone is going to lose their popularity? Why do we almost want someone to "bite it"? And it seems to be the case in all the entertainment fields. I do some acting, writing, filmmaking and stand up; and the people in those fields also seem to need to get their own ego stroked by judging what their peers are failing in. I, for one, love it when someone succeeds. I never feel that another person's success somehow stops mine from happening. Anyway, many months ago I made a promise at another thread that I would never get involved in the whole David Blaine discussion. And now I'll make the same promise here: Any time I see that the discussion has turned into a betting pool of when someone will have his star turned off, I'll just stop tuning in.
See you guys on other threads.
Greg

OK, OK, I know that WAAAAY back up there in this thread I said I'd pull out and let you guys continue, but after all this discussion I wanted to add these thoughts.

First, having had my wrist rightly slapped by Ian Rowland and others on the exposure issue, particularly in regard to the casino blackjack sequence, I accept I was wrong to imply that he was revealing methods on that occasion. I still have no idea at all how it was done (other than possibly very obvious TV tricks) and I'm embarrassed that I fell for the "explanation" Derren gave, when in so many other sequences on the show it's clear that he's misleading. Thanks for setting me straight.

Second, this week's show was fantastic. The dungeon sequence, the polygraph test, the Kung Fu punch routine particularly - brilliant presentations of each. The dog track one repeated from the specials, well, that was never my favourite, however entertainingly it's played. All the lay people I've seen it with said immediately that he'd obviously "got to" them beforehand, either hypnotising or paying them to participate. Right or wrong, it takes the mystery away.

But, having started this whole "kick Derren" thread, I wanted to say that most of this show was precisely what I think he does best and I hope the final ep next week is as good.

Cheers all
Andy

Greg: I agree with you totally. and I too love to see success. And Derren has created a new standard for mentalism on TV. I think he is brilliant. The point I was trying to make is this: the mixing of the old with the new will shorten the shelf life. I personally would prefer to see the odd show now and again, with new material done really well (not that Derren does anything that isn't done well).

It was just expressing an opinion. I may be completely wrong. I hope he is around for a long time.

Shrink, I wasn't pointing fingers at anyone in specific. I've just noticed a trend in some of the threads. As I've said in many of the threads where the tone got dark: I only wish I could be as successful as some of these guys have become. I'm waiting for my fifteen minutes of fame.
Greg

Ouch! I liked the irony in that (mercilessly snipped) post.

As a viewer with a passive interest in some "effects", I have enjoyed seeing the shows; even the repeated segments.

From time to time, re-viewing has enabled me to see how the trick is done. Although most of the time, I am still left baffled.

My answer to the original question:
"NO".

Derren is "The Elvis Presley of Mentalism".

And he still rocks us all!

Viva Las Mind Control Shows!
Greg

Why would he fade away? He has just become a household name. He has his tv show (the earlier was mostly missed by wider audience), his sold out tour, and this is only in England. Soon, he will be in every English speaking country in the world. And then the non-English speaking countries with his next show.

I would say we will have Mr. Brown around for years to come. And I like it, he has the skills.

Ok, I may be wrong. Perhaps he will still be around when his beard is gray; only time will tell.

Whatever happened to Simon Drake? The Secret Cabaret show back in the early 90's was a big hit; then faded as fast as it came? It was a great format; and had lots of really interesting guests, including Max Maven and David Berglas and a whole range of diverse strange acts. It was a brilliant show.

Apparently, Simon Drake is still running his "House of Magic" at a secret location in London SE1. It's a whole evening of magical entertainment (including dinner, I think) in a specially designed building, and reputedly really good (though expensive). There is life after TV.

By the way, if anybody can help me find this series; I will very much appreciate the help.

Thanks in advance.

Kuffs

Having just seen his (many times sold out) stage show I'd have to suggest that there is a lot of life in Mr Brown yet. Perhaps, as Ian Rowland suggests, the Mind Control style of series may not last, certainly I think that Derren will run and run.

He had the audience eating out of his hand right from the start on stage, and although perhaps some elements of the second half were a touch 'hokey' for my liking, there were many audible gasps of surprise, and a standing ovation at the end.

I have to agree, his stage show was superb and had everyone on the edge of their seats.

There is only so much milage in the current set-up for the 2nd half, it will be interesting to see how long it runs (apparently he has added a west end run to the sold out tour).

I second that. If there are any American show bookers on this board, book him. I cannot believe how good he was. A true performer and as, apparently, in anywhere else also in Hull the audience was completely under his spell.

Okay, I can't honestly say I've read every post in this thread but I want to say something before my wife chucks me of the computer.

I have a work colleague who couldn't have cared less for anything magic-related a year ago. I found out that she was interested in body language and sought to see if her interest spanned that of more mental pursuits. It did. I introduced her to the Derren Brown Mind Control series on Channel 4. She was astounded.

She then saw the Mind Control night on E4. She was impressed, but a little disappointed in some of the repetition. She then awaited the Channel 4 series of the moment and was disappointed to see it was the same stuff again.

However, she booked to see Derren live (the first "magic" show she's been to). She took her husband. They both thoroughly enjoyed the evening's entertainment and found Derren both captivating and hilarious.

My summary would be that regardless of what the TV vehicles are for Derren, he's only on the first rung of the ladder regarding success outside of the immediate magic community.

Cheers,

Beetroot