HERO morning after
Morning all. Hope you enjoyed last night if you watched the show. I’m travelling home from a night at the Premier Inn at Leeds Bradford airport, where we were royally looked after throughout our wrap party in the affiliated Beefeater until godknowswhen by the wonderful Christian and Claire who should have been home in bed.
Like to think I stayed in the room that Lenny Henry uses when he’s passing through.
I’ve yet to see the final show and hope to catch it tonight. Bumbled through the live links and only had one moment of my life flashing before my eyes when I briefly completely forgot what to say. Not sure if it registered.
Making ‘Hero’ (as all the cool kids call it) was such a joy. Matt is sensational, and I understand his Facebook friends quotient rocketed during the show once his full name was mentioned. We’ve become good friends too. He and Liv are a very lovely couple.
The challenge for us was fitting everything into a seventy-minute show. The changes were manifold and there was much more story to tell. What you see is obviously very trimmed and edited and squashed into the time allotment. Reading the flurry on Twitter last night there was clearly a small percentage people who just refused to accept any of it, which is shame but of course completely inevitable. Some insisted Matt and Liv had to be actors. It’s impossible to please everyone, but I can certainly assure anyone questioning that sort of thing that I don’t use actors in that way, and it would be stupid to do so, as I’d have to find, kill or silence all their friends, families and acquaintances too.
It has been a real joy making the show. So often TV can be a cynical and joyless business, and to do something that feels worthwhile is a rare treat. And to go to such lengths for one person is so exciting. I was and am so proud of Matt, and meant what I said to him at the end.
It has been very heartwarming reading your responses to the show, particularly from people who have taken something personal from it, which was of course the hope behind the project. I chose Matt because he represents all of us. As many of you have asked how he is, he’ll be the first to tell you he’s a happy, changed man and currently sorting out a new place and career options. I spoke to him right after the show and he loved it. And he got over his fear of flying too, just in case anyone thought I had made it a thousand times worse…
Hi just wanted to say I thought that the show was fab last night and despite the poor reviews of people saying it was a hoax, let them believe as they wish, its easier to slate something we cant do ourselves or dont understand, an avid fan, cant wait for next tour.. when will it be here??
What a great show! Normally i wouldn’t think that anyone could be ‘that’ afraid of flying – that is to say, until i met my girlfriend. In terms of fear she makes matt look like a casual flyer…(I HAVE MANY MANY post-flight hand bruses). I will certainly be recommending this show to her!!!
Thanks for yet another gem Derren!
(and come back to Dublin soon!)
I just had to say how blown away I was by the ‘Hero’ programme. it was such an emotional and awesome journey and we had such a positive life affirming glow after watching it. Life is Sweet!
I really enjoyed the show and was tearfull at the end. It was inspirational and just what we need in tough times. How different from shows that seek to entertain the public by encouraging them to laugh at untalented delusional people.
Hi Derren
The emotional response your program evoked last night had me laughing out loud with joy. What a fantastic idea! I think it’s wonderful to see someone create a show dedicated purely to making someone’s life so much better. you bloody well rock! If I should meet you some time, I’ll get you a pint.
Hi Derren, I love your work and I loved the show. I’m becoming increasingly convinced you are El Diablo incarnate! 🙂 (No offense, it is not meant as an insult, lol) Keep on amazing us. x
Dear Derren,
Very interesting program on Wednesday. As a clinical psychologist I am often in awe of your skill and abilities – much more impressive down the pub than a critical evaluation of cognitive behavioural therapy.
However, I just wonder about the ethics of staging a hold-up at gun point? Don’t you worry the guy might be traumatised and go on to develop PTSD? To my knowledge there’s no way of predicting who will get PTSD from a traumatic event so how do you justify it? If it’s real of course!
Best,
Dr S
Hey, Derren, I live in Leeds and was so excited to find out you were live in Leeds! Though I can’t believe you’ve been wandering around for a month in our humble city wihout me even noticing 🙁
Anyway, amazing show, and the whole family loved it
Especally the train bit! 😉
Cathy
x
@Dr S. While I’m not any sort of psychologist, I don’t think Derren’s lab rats would develop PTSD in the end, because he’s there to relieve the stress when it’s all done, and he’s not subjecting his subjects to more than they can take, as far as I can tell. He’s not exploding warheads at random around the subject and then leaving him bewildered. And he doesn’t get back to them after he achieved his goal, to stress them out. It’s more likely one would develop PTSD by reading the Daily Mail, daily and continuously, or watching the suicide bombings in Iraq and the imams threatening everyone all the time, than playing Derren’s games, that’s what I think.
@Radu C,
PTSD can occur after being exposed to a horrific, gruesome or life threatening event. Just because Derren will have told him weeks later that it was staged does not mean he wouldn’t get it – the damage wouldve already been done. Derren couldn’t know how much Matt could take with regards to trauma because there is no way of assessing it. People have gotten PTSD for less than armed robbery.
And as horrific as The Daily Mail is it won’t give you PTSD – but I like your point!
I’d still like to know how the legal people justify running the risk because if I’d been exposed to a life threatening event on purpose as part of a rehabilitation that I hadn’t agreed to that left me needing months of therapy – I’d be pretty PO’d and keen to take legal action!
I can’t understand why people watch these types of shows or even live magic shows to just say ‘it was set up’ ‘he was an actor’ It just sucks the fun out of watching! Dont mean to quote Bo’ Selecta but just enjoy the magic for God sake!
Derren, that was truley amazing, honestly, i was on the edge of my seat all the way through and couldnt help but cheer and clap when he stood up to help on the plane! I thought it was risky when you faked that womans death in the car crash which she stood and watched! Haha. But the crashing plane over rules ; )
Although i found it hard to watch the railway track part, haha. Was fab how you just didnt seem phased by any of it ! Very Sexy. 😀
Again just pure brilliance !
Rachael x
hey Derren!
i work in a Morrisons in Leighton Buzzard on the checkouts and its soooo boring, i’ve come up with a stupid game that seems to pass the time slightly, i try to guess the price of people shopping, so far i’ve gotten none right, its so frustrating any ideas how to be more accurate???
Jx
the show was absolutely amazing, as i was expecting, and i am your biggest fan EVER 🙂 I’m 15 and just had an argument with my Mum because she said you’re just an illusionist which is pretty obviously not the case after everything you’ve done! I just wanted to ask, at the end of the show you started the countdown clock and said it was time for someone else’s journey to begin….does this mean there will be another similar show in a month’s time? and if so, will there be any more after that? One more thing, do you know when Enigma is showing on TV? I really want to see it! Well done for everything 🙂
Hi Darren,
What a gift to give! Matt is one lucky guy.
I’ll love to here what he achieves with his life.
I was inspired. I instantly got up and set about changing my life.
Well…I had a shower.
But after that i did some mulling over and went to get a better job.
Nice one Derren.
Ignore the unbelievers, it’s their loss if they refuse to accept the message you tried to convey.
I got it and I’m grateful.
Hi Derren……. Just want to say your amazing and havent seen anything like what you do ever before….. and you dont just appeal to adults 😉 I’m 16 and i love your shows and quite a few of my friends like you aswell 🙂 I was also wondering if you planned on coming back to Newcastle?? would love it if you did because I would definitley go!! 🙂 Keep up the great work……… :):)
Just watched hero on 4od as I missed the live show, and, laughed, gasped and, yes, cried when Matt stood up on the plane to seize his moment. A truly inspiring, entertaining and uplifting experience to watch. Great work DB!
Ps. I happen to believe it was genuine, so na-na-na to the cynics, they’d have you believe the moon landings were filmed in a warehouse off the m42….
Nice to see Derren back on the box. Amazing, thought provoking and as usual thoroughly entertaining.
Have not gone through all the other comments, but has anyone noticed that derren appeared to have performed the ultimate act of inception?! Perhaps Christopher Nolan ought to collaborate with derren for the sequel? If you have not seen the movie I do recommended.
We taped the programme and watched it together Friday night (2 adults, 2 children under 15). We did point out that the boys should not try any of it at home (had a good laugh about that … not funny really). Found the show mesmerising, intriguing and extremeley uplifting. However, have some doubts about Derren playing God, controlling people. I have never wanted a surprise party, I would hate to have been on This Is Your LIfe and would have felt very angry to think my family and friends had what I would call “plotted against me”. Questions I would love to see answered are: does Derren use his powers in his personal life? would he allow a This is Your LIfe type programme to investigate him without his knowledge? PS: just how ‘live’ was the programme?
Heya! Loved the Hero show, was one of your best to date yet =] Was a bit skeptical about some points through out the show, however as always you’ve provided logical and reasonable explanations for all the queries 🙂 Also love the book. Might I ask what the next show will entail? or is that all part of the mystery that is Derren Brown.
All the best Kyle
p.s would love a reply, and naw you dress waaaay shabbier than matt does don’t worry.
It was a brilliant show Derren congrats to Matt…. I taped the programme and watch it d whole time.. you are such a legend and so entertaining.. my heart was i my mouth when you had matt tied to the track and te train was only a few feet away and u were asking him if he seen the movie…. BRILLIANT… I absoloutely love you and can’t wait till ur next show in Ireland…. Ignore the others that say u set it all up.. I’m only 16 and u’ve really shown me what i want from life in the ‘hero’ show.. now all thats left for me to do is to knuckle down and study for my leaving cert…. and then i hope to be a doctor :).. Thank you for everything
Amy xx 🙂
Hi Derren
Watched Hero 4 times. EVerytime someone comes over i put it on again. Most amazing thing i have ever seen. I am petrified of flying amongst lots of other things. Have tried hypnosis twice but they were unable to put me under. Gutted. i so wanted it to work. Wish you could sort me out. ( my fear that is)
Ange
I am a big fan of Derren’s work and believe him to be a man of character and intelligence. Having said that I feel uncomfortable with the way these “specials” are developing. I thought Derren was a sceptic and debunker of fakery and manipulation of weak minded individuals. I can’t help but feel he is walking a very fine line and it is all getting a bit cheesy and is beginning to pander to the lowest common denominator. I really loved the more low-key show that followed the man who claims to talk to dead people (mainly for them just to tell him the number 5 it seems). What do you want to do with the powerful platform of fame you now have Derren?
wow man!
so good.
i have quite a lot of your dvd’s and have seen most of your shwos, its amazing, im only fifteen and obviously know your not going to read this or even think about replying but anyway. i wish i could learn how to do what you do. i dont think i am susceptible to being hypnotised but would like it to be tried anyway. I thought it was amazing how you were able to bring the man in the show outside with him still in a dream state.
if you have the time please reply back?
Well Derren… What can I say, I have watched all of your TV shows and this is my favorite yet, despite each one of your shows being so unique. To say I was inspired is an understatement, I couldn’t hold back the tears. I also couldn’t help but see myself in Matt during the show. Utterly phenomenal, thank you for such a beautiful creation!
Hi Derren,
I watched the show at work over lunch today ( I missed it live unfortunately) and it was a big mistake; I was practically in tears! It took an immense effort of will and a knowledge how silly I would look trying to explain myself to keep them in. It was such a profound and fascinating journey. I was almost scared at the rate of change that can be produced in a person’s life when you give them a gentle nudge towards a new direction. I know it was Matt’s choices that made the change, but I was wondering if you’ve ever been afraid of the influence you have on people? Does it ever give you a weird sense of responsibility?
Thanks for a great show!
Absolutely fantastic show, sadly didn’t get to watch it at time of broadcast but catch up tv. It’s certainly inspirational, I see some similarities with the situations in my life. (no crocodiles in cornfields yet tho lol)
Keep up the good work
Sy
Hi Derren
The hardest 10 days I have experienced, from the broadcast date until we got back from holiday!! Staying away from the internet etc. Got to watch it on 18th with 2 special people, which made the wait worthwhile.The best thing I have watched in years. I have watched again since on my own & both times got a very large lump in my throat when the Hero got up from his seat & walked towards the cockpit. Amazing!!!!!!! Tears when the plane had landed & the Hero emerges from the simulator & the 2 of you have your conversation. Thanks once again…brilliant. Looking forward to one of the ‘live’ shows in 2011
It has been a few weeks or so since I saw this program and already, as an un-chosen one, I had begun to forget about the show and the effect it had on me at the time. It is amazing to have been able to have put such emphasis on a single person like that. I wish Derren could find a way to make even half that degree of positivity stick amongst those simply viewing. The country would be a much greater place then.
Derren,
I have just watched ‘Hero’ and I know you’ll have heard this already but that was absolutely brilliant, what you do is incredible, you’re a technical genius of the mind, is one of the most moving programmes I have ever seen!
Isla
x
i need your help
Derren,
I recorded this on my television, and I watch it all the time. Your response may be- well go and buy it then you cheap scate. It is truely inspiring. I watch it and always get shivers down my spine when Matt comes out of the plane.
That is by far my favourite of your shows ever.
I recently saw your new show in Blackpool, and when you said: ‘I have hidden a shoe somewhere in Blackpool.’ I had had two large wines and I shouted I have seen it. But I truely thought it was your shoe that I had seen that day at a bus stop. It looked just like the one you were wearing. Very embarrasing. HA!
Anyways, thank you got the hero at 30,000ft. It was amazing. Truely amazing.
Jenny x