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…
You amaze me everytime I watch you Derren.. You are a scary man at times because you have such skills to change someone (albeit for the better!). However I always enjoy watching your shows. I hope your shows are shown in Aus as I’m moving there next year as I really will miss your tricks 🙁 !!
This was just the most amazing show – I actually cried most of the way through it. I was just so happy for Matt, the change in him as the show progressed was so noticeable and I was so pleased he made the decision that everyone wanted him to. Without being too ‘woe is me’, I’m having a bit of a rough time this year (relationship breakup, redundancy, and plans set in place for the next two years wiped out) but for the first time in six months I actually felt the stirrings of inspiration to keep going again and clawed back some hope in life that had all but vanished. Thanks Derren 🙂
“I’d have to find, kill or silence all their friends, families and acquaintances too.”
Spoiler for Derren’s next feat right there I think 😉
Derren
The program was stunning. It left me a blubbering wreck for some reason, largely I suspect because your subject was an every-man that many of us could identify and empathise with.
Really stunning program and content that meant a lot to me.
Thank you.
C.
Really enjoyed the show and has someone who through laziness or lack of direction has largely wasted a lot of my potential could relate to a lot of it. Tell you what though, today, I made a conscious effort not to be “the guy that didn’t want to stand up”. I offered my seat on the tube, I opened doors, and I carried a lady’s (bloody heavy mind you) case up several flights of stairs for her. My back won’t thank you for last night, but she will. Nice one Derren, looking forward to the next one…
I meant “as” not has on the first line. D’oh.
Forget the cynics, personally I thought the real message of the show was the most important aspect. I believe you have inspired other people to change there perspective on life, which must be a great reward in itself. It was a fantastic show, hats off to you Derren : )
Derren
Amazing show as always. Again you’ve pushed the boundaries that little bit further. (Russian Roulette, The Heist, Predicting the lotto etc and now this)
Keep it up and don’t listen to the minority who just have negative things to say
And entertaining and very deeply thoughtful project. I hope I can take something from this and use it to better my personal attitudes
You all looked as though you had a wonderful time making ‘Hero’ and I can see why it is your favourite Derren. I really loved it so thank you to everyone involved.
During the show i couldnt help but think of the scene in Fight Club, where a man is held at gunpoint and is scared into going onto to career he always wanted.
Hey I saw The show last night And it was amazing! Once again you have completely amazed me and was glued to my chair the whole night!
Ignore the haters and disbelievers I have seen you live at enigma tour in Bournemouth and it really was out of this world and I don’t how it’s done its just amazing. Would pay to come and see you again any day!! X
hello derren,
just want to say that was a stunning film last night i love your show and i really dont know how you do it all your a very talented man. theres one trick i really want to learn and its the mind punch i just end up embaressing my self lol but also i would really like yo know how you just can walk up to people and put them into a trance so quickly! verry very clever man would want to be like you any day bear in mind im 14
Derren, wow this was just so amazing. I totally warmed to Matt immediately, what a lovely guy and a perfect choice for the programme. His life will be changed forever now because of what you have done for him and his family, and even though I don’t know Matt, I felt SO proud of him for achieving all that he did – during his one minute yes or no decision on the plane, I was on the edge of the sofa saying out loud COME ON MATT, COME ON YOU CAN DO THIS – and when he stood up I almost yelled out loud!
Thank you Derren for an awe inspiring and emotional 70 or so minutes, and the 8/9/10 11.12 thing was absolutely perfect – bloody brilliant – you totally ROCK!
Love ya!
Nicki 🙂 x
Derren and the team,
It is truly remarkable that you have taken this direction. Not only have you helped that one man realise his potential, the impact this could have is upon thousands of people as the message ripples through Britain. I hope it does have an impact.
I look forward to seeing these stories unfold each month, if that is the intention. I wish I had seen this advertised, those that you have selected are in for an amazing journey.
It certainly gives me faith in humanity, that considering all the different routes derren and the team could take with this, that they have helped people on such a personal level. Let’s hope it catches on.
Dan
Derren, the show last night was outstanding. I found it so inspiring, and it’s really made me think that life is too short to just ‘plod’ along and just accept what life gives you; if you want the best out of life, you need to make things happen and take risks.
I had tears in my eyes at the end – I was so proud of Matt. So heartwarming.
Thanks Derren.
P.s – When’s the Enigma tour going to be on TV? I’d love to show my boyfriend what he missed out on! 😛
so glad you put this together.
really amazed / inspired.
it was indeed a great show, as always. it has, as you hoped, inspired many people to rethink. myself included.
well done derrin. i would like to learn more about positive mental attitude and apply it to a sport to see if there is an improvement.
good luck.
steve
14-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND QUITE FRANKLY LOVE ALL THE SHOWS.
It’s very inspiring, especially how Matt never even suspected Derren even when he was in his “dreams”.
Sometimes I wonder if Derren could fool me…
I was mind blown by the show last night! I was crying for atleast 30 mins after! It was incredible to say the least! WOW! cant wait for the next programme. Thanks Derren!
All I can say is AMAZIINNGGGG, really enjoyed it!! is it on again??? And 8 9 10 11 12, nearly as good as the enigma ending!!! <3
Absolutely loved the show last night, thought it was amazing! Ended up watching it again straight after on channel 4 +1 aswell! (: I feel that the show actually helped me too in a way, as I, like Matt, have no confidence and it stops me doing things that I would actually love to do. But after watching it and hearing what he had to say, it’s made me realise you only live once and can’t let things like that ruin chances for you. Will definitely be buying the specials boxset! Well done Derren, amazing show (: xxx
ps. glad that Matt got over his fear of flying and it didn’t just make him worse! ha (: x
I have followed Derren’s work for many years on the television and live shows but last night was amazing. I found it truly insperational. What was even more fantastic was that I went into work this morning ( I work with young people who have behaviour problems and have been excluded from main stram school) and one of the pupils asked as soon as I walked in if I had wathced the show. They were so motivated by it and the fact that they could be what ever they want to be (we say it all the time no notice taken just told to f@*k off DB says it and they listen, typical !!!!) if this makes just one person think about their life that is great, if more do then that is amazing!!!
Derren, there was a jack in the box outside my door this morning. Would you know anything about this?
The show was inspiring, moving, entertaining and terrifying. Made me take a closer look at my life and question what I’d do under those kind of circumstances. I share Matt’s fear of flying, though it would definitely help if I thought I could land a plane under instruction like that. I have to say I’m still really impressed that he managed to succeed in the simulator, from what I understand they make those things as realistic as possible.
Anyway congratulations and thank you for an uplifting programme. I think we should all be thankful that you put your knowledge and abilities to good use like this. You would make a fantastic superhero, but a terrifying super villain.
Hi Derren,
Just 4ODed the show and it was amazing… really well done, the ending was particularly emotional.
Have seen your last two live tours too and was equally impressed!
Keep up the GREAT work 🙂
Neil
i thought at first how can u mess with someones life like that but by the end i felt really emotional and thought Matt was a real inspiration the show was fantastic well done Derren can’t wait 2 c what’s next.
Thank you Derren and team,
Without repeating everything that has been said before, it was a fascinating and emotional 70 minutes with a clever ending. I didn’t envy you the editing process though – must have been tricky. Will there be an ‘uncut’ edition at some point in the future? I, and i’m sure many other people, would love to see this again in greater depth.
All the best for your future projects, can’t wait to see them
Ahhhhhhhhhhh 🙂 I LOVE YOU <3
When you said 'This is the proudest moment in my career…' I nearly cried :')
Much Looooooove and amazement and what have you..
Lauren x x x
Came back to this again. Derren, glad you came on and I choose to accept you speak the truth, and I don’t think stooges would be easy to cover your tracks with.
But, maybe it was the way it was edited, or perhaps a TV format was too tight to fit it all in… but this was not your best show. Maybe your best work, on a personal level, but it did not make good TV in your usual way.
Thanks so much Derren, in my opinion your best TV show to date. It not only was very entertaining, but provided an important message that I think many people (including myself) have forgotten – live life to the full, as you only get one. It sounds cheesy, but it is nevertheless poignant. The show was magnificently done.
Also, the show was brought up interesting questions as to how to define reality. Although Matt believed he was dreaming, yourself and the viewers perceived it as reality.
Thanks again Derren, and well done to yourself and Matt
Chris
Aww Derren at the end you looked like you were going to cry :’)
Brilliant show, way to get your Houdini on Mr. Brown.
I wonder if they’ll be a surge in the UK economy in the next month or so hrm…
Many thanks for a inspired hour.
P.S. If you’d like an apprentice, I’m in.
Derren where do you go from here, last night was SO SO gripping, the things you can do for people is mind blowing, Let us know where you are bringing your show to Ireland I will be the first in the queue. Keep up the good show……
Fantastic show last night, really enjoyed it, so nice to see how you’ve changed Matt’s life. So the countdown at the end means there’ll be another one of them in a month’s time? Looking forward to it! Also to your next tour, I love your life shows, Enigma was one (if not the) best ones!
Loved the show – thought it was well edited and put together – its got to be hard trying to tell us all what you did and how it worked and compact that into so short a time. Its great to see Derren going into different areas but still using those good ole mind tricks 😀
Would still love to see you audition for people nearer my hometown however as would love to turn up even just for an autographed shoe or something.
Cant wait for next show!
Matt was brilliant, what a transformation, Derren, you put on the best shows, very emotional and motivational in equal parts. I don’t have a telly and after watching online, I’m nearly out of internet credit.
I wondered at the end about Matt with his crucifix, whether he’ll use it as an enabling device and not really believe that he was the person who made the change in himself – not a crucigix?
Keep up the good work, I hope there aren’t any cameras in my room…
Derren i am a huge fan and you manage to shock me everytime and in some cases such as ‘hero’, manage to move me to tears ..even though i am a bit of a cryer 😛 … your sooo amazing. Cant wait to see what you have for us next 🙂
P.s I found it so inspiring im going to see if i can make a change in my life 🙂
I missed it last night but just saw it. Derren, this is your best work! Fantastic. Had something in my eye at the ned…
I applied to be involved and was a bit gutted it wasn’t me, but Matt was fabulous 🙂
Thank you so much for showing us the amazing journey Matt went on. so inspirational to us all and what a huge change in Matt it was lovely to watch. It was very emotional at the end I did have a tear in my eye very moving.
As to how is has inspired me I have never gone near an airport and certainly never been on a plane as I have such a fear of flying. But next year I plan to do something about it and WILL get on a plane,so thank you for that push I needed
The people that really enjoyed the show far out-way the people who questioned whether it was fake it has been the talk of work today even amongst people who have never seen you before. you deserve a big pat on the back xxx
And thank you Phillis and Abeo for keeping the blog running smoothly last night xx
Tracey xx
Mr Derren Sir you are nothing short of Bloody amazing , well done Matt i wish him well for his future , the only programme that has made me cry in a long time x just one thing i wish it was me lol
just to say what an outstanding job you did and only wish it had been me and maybe i would not be as fearful of life and change i can only applaud you 🙂
Thanks Derren for another fantastic, original and thought-provoking programme. It was so uplifting to see Matt’s progress and I wish him all the best for his future.
It must be a fantastic feeling to be able to make such a positive difference to someone’s life. My husband and I came to see the Enigma tour and are always waiting on tenterhooks for your next project!
As you said, there will always be some people who are doubtful of how genuine your work is, but it must seem impossible to some that you could be capable of the things you achieve – take it as a complement!
Derren ure just the best guy ever. EVER !
Inspirational, thank you Derren. An encouragement to keep pulling out the stops and never get in a rut. And well done Matt, I truly hope he lives his life to the fullest.
I liked the show but don’t think it was Derren’s best special.
Some criticisms:
– It was obvious how tightly and massively edited the whole thing was. Your live shows (and their broadcasted versions), and your older Trick of the Mind shows were great because we, the viewers, pretty much felt like we saw everything that happened. I know we didn’t, but it felt like we did. With Hero, it was obvious that the way Matt found himself getting into the ‘situations’ and how he got out of them was very contrived and controlled. And because we didn’t get to see them, we naturally doubt them.
Continued in next post…
– As other people have mentioned, there seemed to be inconsistencies in the undercover footage. It strains credulity when you showed him being filmed by about 50 different cameras, yet he apparently saw none of them at any time.
– This whole ‘he’s in a trance state’ thing, for me, isn’t believable. I’m sure his state was similar to those who of people who are hypnotized, in that they’re willing and co-operative, but still very much conscious and able to form memories of the events. The other problem, on a large scale, is that EVERYTHING hinges on this idea of you being able to plant ideas in the guy’s head when he’s in this trance state. It was obvious he didn’t land the plane as you do when you actually use the simulator, he merely pressed a few buttons. I didn’t believe he could have..
Best Derren show ive seen and ive seen them all, I cant imagine what Matt was feeling landing the plane or what he felt when he came out of the cockpit only to see Derren in a building stood next to a simulator!
Derren if you do read these comments all I would say is, I dont think its a shame that people doubted you on Twitter last night the fact that they doubt you only show the magnitude of what you pulled off it truly was unbelievable, you are a true master of the mind!! (And this is coming from somebody who didnt stick to there chair!)
Thank you for such a great show!
…failed to do it either.
Anyway, it was still very watchable, but I personally prefer the effects Derren does which are fairly traditional mentalism ideas, dressed up very cleverly. This transformation process idea seems to me to be mainly one person going along with a lot of stuff Derren sets up for him/her then apparently achieving something miraculous at the end. The Heist was pretty much the same thing. It’s kind of too plausible to be interesting. But that’s just me.
Derren is still my favourite performer in the world though, if that’s any consolation.
The bit where Matt was tied to the train tracks and you started reading the instructions was hillarious!
Brilliant, Derren, and hugely emotional. Loved you telling Matt it was the proudest moment of your career – and also that you were able to make such a difference to someone who came across as such a genuinely nice guy.