Derren Brown: Miracles for Sale – Tonight 9pm
With the cameras in hot pursuit, Derren faces his toughest project yet, going in search of an unsuspecting member of the British public prepared to adopt the guise of a pastor and miracle worker.
His chosen one then has six months to learn the trade and flourish across the pond as a convincing pastor.
The final phase of the volunteer’s extraordinary challenge sees them attempt to perform faith healing miracles live in Texas, but will Derren’s new recruit be accepted as a faith healer or cast away as fake healer?
The show will air tonight at 9pm on Ch4, 10pm on Ch4+1 and will be available on 4oD here.
Feel free to leave comments below.
Watched this with girlfriend just now. She’s a big fan and was happy to see that Nathan was argumentative as well as sensitive; aware of being manipulated somewhat. She saw that Nathan was sitting in the pew when there were four interviewees left. That seemed significant … but this Dolce & Gabbana thing at the end. There has to be more to that. The phony preacher guy looked like he was falling into a hypnotic state. Why did he ask to see the shoes? Why was he reading the brand out loud? Was there a note inside outing him as a fraudster? And how on earth was Derren picked? This is, after all, the Derren Brown show and so it seems not insignificant for him to have the last laugh. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some element of mind control/ manipulation involved. Fantastic television.
He was treading the line veeeerrry finely ( and succeded) that now he is a tight rope walker! ^^ Loved the show and watched it again on 4OD… I am a christian and I am 100% behind Derren on this one. Derren, where-ever you are, Awesome show and you did VERY well. Congrats! =D. At least you got through to some people and hoping most. ^_^ Thank you!
Here is a video clip of another Nathan but this one is real. Miracles do happen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG6UT0PElTk&feature=channel_video_title
Dear Derren,
While I’m great admirer of your work AND an atheist I add, I was disappointed with this program. Apart from the ethical issues of covert research, the focus seemed to shift throughout….in the end you only succeeded in highlighting the “plight” of the audience/congregation, without acknowledging any agency on their part. The assumption on your part seemed to make the congregation passive and gullible, people who gained nothing. People can believe, IN SPITE of the “truth” that you wish to let them have. I understand that many are harmed by the work of these “healers”, but the work that you did gave no voice to the congregations,or understanding of their perspective – just thought that there is a dubious premise there.
Looking forward to the next project though.
K
What an insight. I have always wanted to know what was behind the illusion of so called miracles, and the dangers they cause. It was about time for an exposure like this on faith healers and the dangers of ‘miracles’ as shown. Done in a very poignant and powerful way. Scary how many people they had to deceive to get there.
Derren Brown is on it. Clever guy.
THANKS! to Darren & Team for producing this. I grew up in an evangelical home – we went to many of these meetings, including one with Kenneth Copeland when I was 10. Urged by my mother to have K.C. pray for me, I went forward with many others. When I reached the stage, KC layed hands on me and began screaming for the demons to leave me. I was utterly TERRIFIED. He kept on, pushing me, and finally dramatically falling backwards himself, getting up and continuing. People were clapping and praising god. I sobbed, not knowing what was happening, but knowing only that something was very, very WRONG with ME. For years afterwards I knew I was something terrible and wrong, but didn’t know why. That night I’d put all my little $ into the plate; my parents had written a nice sized check…
Thanks for exposing this fraud Derren,especially in such a conscientious way.As a Christian I’m grateful for how you seek to protect the vulnerable-really needed,but do wish you’d mentioned genuine healing.I write as one the Lord healed from lupus,which nearly killed me.Docs still check periodically and their reactions are interesting,to say the least!As one the Lord occasionally uses in quiet, hidden ways,may I reassure you THE LORD does lengthen legs at times.Not only have I seen Him do it as I’ve quietly prayed,amused when the shorter leg grows too much,settling as one watches,I’ve also had this experience.Walking felt very strange on my rearranged legs briefly! Many Christians are as horrified as you by the lifestyles of these ‘healers’ but please tell the full story to encourage folk!
One of the best documentaries I’ve watched. Too bad that there were no more people at the Nathan’s final performance. But the whole idea and project were bullseye.
Sorry Teri for your experience, but it’s nice that you shared it with us. I’ve heard only stories and watch documentaries about faith healing, but I never knew what that really is. It was hard to explain them with good arguments. I thank Derren and the whole team (and you Teri, and the rest of people who shared their experience) for giving us firm arguments we can call upon. I hope Nathan still thinks he’s done the right thing. I kinda like that guy. I hardly can imagine his moral doubts about the project and hurting others with his play.
Good work
Pamela: I hope for your sake that what you believe is true, and your god has cured your lupus, but I would not see the disappearance of your symptoms as proof of divine healing myself. From a patient information website (at http://www.uklupus.co.uk/new.html ):
“What is remission?
A remission is a period of disease-free activity. Certain cases of lupus have become permanently inactive, or in total remission. Although total remission is rare, partial remission – a definite, but limited, period of inactive disease – is more common. ”
I do hope your lupus remains in total remission.
As for the leg thing, I do it myself for fun, willing my legs to get longer and shorter — and looking on in amusement as my subconcious mind moves my hips to produce the effect. Automotor effects are cool. 🙂
Hi,
Why don’t you tell much about the hidden message in the shoe at the very final scene ?
Thank you very much for doing this… I wish it was bigger. My husband is from Brazil and this junk is very popular over there… I have heard many heart-breaking stories of the effects of these people. Thank you for everything you did to make this video happen.
Good on ya, Nathan. Good on ya, Derren. Thanks for being brave and truthful. Well done, the lot of you.
I watched the show with mixed feelings. I am a Christian and believe that healing is a normal part of Christian ministry. It does not require a show and I have always felt uncomfortable of TV preachers. Jesus told the disciples to live modest lifestyle and warned against greed. Mathew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Rather than going to a ‘healer’ who has a lavish lifestyle, go to your Christian friend who asks no money and wants to pray for you; you can also pray for your own healing effectively appealing to the authority of word of God. It’s all free.
This show, minus the profanity, would be considerably marketable to the Christian community. I encourage you to consider it.
http://youtu.be/pwbW8hMxeQ4
thank you for helping me expose this fake please reply if I am correct ? Im planing on revealing my church the truth
I wasn’t healed
the guy I actually said it was not his fault it was because I dont have faith he was cold reading, a lot ! and he tried to do that pulling the leg thing with me and I realized that he pulled my shoe
i missed this and its not on 4od how can i watch it, it looks really good.