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…
Derren, you are my hero. I want to marry you. Congrats on an awesome show. It really had my emotions going in the end. Truely inspirational.
Well I don’t know what I could say that hasn’t already been said. Truly inspiring and absolutely fantastic.
Thank you Darren.
Just watched the show and we were completely blown away by it, a deeply emotional journey for Matt and for all of us watching at home. You just keep on outdoing yourself and pushing the boundaries and we are grateful to witness the amazing and inspiring results of your creative endeavors.
Many congratulations to you and all the incredible team who put this together and of course love and respect to Matt and his family, may he live long and prosper.
Jason & Ann xx
Just finished watching HERO and was in awe of Matt. While I was glad that he did make the choice I was much happier that his relationship with his Mom got better. While I like to believe I would do the same I have to true to myself and admit I don’t know if I would make the choice that Matt did.
Just caught the show. Not a skeptic at all. Even though Derren’s assured us many times that he uses misdirection etc etc, I completely believe him when he says he doesn’t use actors as his main subjects. It’s amazing how being out of your comfort zone can help you grow as a person and DB’s just proved it. Well done Derren!
Really really loved it Derren. Food for thought for me, too. It helped me understand what I’ve been gradually learning recently: that it’s really good to be able to pursue The Best- The Dream-, while still keeping your eyes and heart on all that is beautiful and worthwhile around you.
Best wishes,
Sally
Has anyone else found themselves humming the ‘Pop goes the Weasel’ tune today? Freaked me out a bit. Brillant show.
There were absoluteley no stooges used i beleive it was a master at the top of his game ,Derren can do this stuff now with his eyes shut ( pardon the terrible pun ) …and whilst im convinced it was probably a mammoth logistical challenge and laborious project to make it all come together i dont doubt Derren had it all in hand !
Only problem for me was it was a bit like one of those movies where the whole of NASA claps at the end …kind of like Apollo 13 and i detest that kind of ” movie ” experience ….it almost reeked of sycophant although Derren Brown doesn’t strike me as that type of man.
Thats the lottery and now Hero been aired and i just feel the mystery of the programmes outweighed the final effect,we seen the mechanics of how Hero worked which i didnt like,i like the magic !
Wow. Although I’m located in Mexico, I managed to watch the show (thanks youtube) in it’s integrity.
I always thought that Derren was a cocky guy but after watching him preparing Matt & seeing his genuine & contagious happy smile throughout the show made me realise that he is a down to earth person & actually very likable.
Well done Darren, it was a fantastic show + I hope the whole world gets a chance to watch it.
I’d like to see how many heroes are amongst us. .I don’t wanna a repeat of the the girl that got beaten up in a Barcelona train or the guy that got this ars* kicked in a London bus (in both cases , the bus/train was full up but one one stood up to the violence, everyone just stayed glued to their seats!).
Thanks man
Ciao 4 now
Paulo
http://pauloishere.blogspot.com
The show was amazing, really made me think about life and I hope I can take something away from it.
I had goosebumps at the end!
Just saw the show on sky + and loved it, made
my missus cry. Taken lots of positives out of it, well done all great and uplifting telly
I don’t get why people don’t believe what happened happened. Edjits.
Anywho I thought it was amazing and I’m glad the guy is okay now, and it’s not suprizing tht he got so many followers ect, everyone was tweeting about yesterday. I sure was.
It’s funny thoughy ou don’t mention about the train track inident, you know when you had him in straight jacket…
I’m torn between trying to decide whether I really loved the show or really hated it.
Because… I get that it’s supposed to be inspirational and perhaps show people they can make more change for themselves than they think possible. Which is great, it felt great to see this change for a really nice guy.
But… It also almost gives the message to me that you need a Derren Brown figure, an external force in your life to really realise and initiate this change, to already know some of what you want and take it from there. In that way it kinda just pummels any of that hope and inspiration. But then maybe I’m just a messed up, cynical bastard.
Quite freaked out last night as I had a dream that Derren came to help me, and then I asked him for tickets for his next show-lol. Great work though, as always 🙂
Hi Derren and Team!
I really enjoyed the show last night! I am 16 and watched it with my Dad who constantly said ‘its been staged’ blah blah but I did not listen as I am not a skeptic and found it amazing! Im so happy for Matt and his girlfriend and ofcourse that he has conquered his fear, I really did feel for him on the plane though! Oh but when he was on the train track i couldnt believe it! You were so calm, even though you believed he would escape but I would have been freaking out, you really have helped him and that was what was so lovely about the show for me!
Great job and cant wait to see more.
Have a wonderful time with whatever you do. x
That was one of the best shows I’ve seen in many years. I was moved and inspired, and I’m confident I won’t have been the only viewer to feel that way. It was positive and life-affirming, and has made me start to think about what I should take hold of in my own life. You can’t ask for much more than that; thank you.
Wow wee!
That was just incredible! Truly inspirational on all levels! Well done Matt, and Derren, the only word I can describe you as is magical! which I’m sure you would prove is the wrong choice of words, but really you are a master of this art! Just brilliant! 🙂
dear mr Brown. Your show was hugely “magical” i knew what u were doing (i have red the book+practicing some of the technics). The skill you own and the ways you use it is influencial. I even like your sarcasm between the lines. Charming and you deserved. Thank you mr brown.
Hi Derren
The show was fantastic. What a transformation in the man. He must have had many questions about the dreams he had. I am fascinated by what you do. 300 years ago you would have been burnt at the stake, do you realise that?!
I have no doubt that I would be a lifetime project for you! Can’t wait until the next show.
Nina
Clair de Lune 🙂
Congrats Derren and the crew on a great show.
I, like others, don’t know whether Matt and his family were genuine or not. I have my own issues about the show – Like why did Matt panic so much when he was on the rail track? He didn’t really think that Derren and an entire film crew would let him get spliced by the train, did he?
However, I do understand the point of the programme – mind over matter. Whether real or fake, the show will have inspired people to chase their dreams, follow their ambitions and to try to work for the greater good – as well as getting people closer to their loved ones.
For that I congratulate you on a great show. Keep ’em coming!
I wouldn’t appreciate being put in a simulated life threatening situation under the pretense of self improvement. Self improvement seems a lame justification to play at Jeremy Beadle.
i thought the whole thing was indescribably inspirational, real pause for thought stuff- definately made me think about being a braver person, to Derren and Matt, thankyou for teaching me not to give up 🙂
That was quite amazing Derren. I really enjoyed it so thoroughly. Would love you to work on my fear x
another great show really enjoyed it whilst at the same time very thought provoking.
it was a fantastic change and journey for matt and i am really happy for him.
I look forward to your next venture and congrats for another well made show.
This was really just an entertaining fantasy for wishful thinkers. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe Derren is capable of mentally manipulating people to such a degree, but I highly doubt it.
The hypnosis portion of the story was all too perfect, especially with all the camera men hovering around, even his subconscious would be hard pressed not to put that into order.
You claim he was only given “opportunities” to act on situations, but in the case of the policeman’s house you essentially plant the idea in his head. Matt may have made an entirely different choice had you not instructed him to find it appealing.
When the plane took off its was daytime, when he landed it was night. Either Matt is EXTREMELY poor grasp of the world around him, or it was put on.
In the end its just t.v.
Hi Derren, I’ve been a huge fan for years now and watched everything you’ve put in theatres or on TV, just wanted to say I thoght “Hero” was an incredible idea and the whole show was amazing
Thanks,
Mike
i am completely amazed that one human can motivate something like what he is doing with this series. it is one thing to be a genius with numbers, but to be a genius with people is something very special.
you bastard, you know how to sell tickets lol =D could you possibly enlighten us as to where you nearly forgot what to say?? i’ve looked over and over again but cant spot it lol you sir, have to get a knighthood quick!
That was the best thing I’ve seen on TV!
I was amazed last night and have just watched it again on 4od….just hoping it comes to dvd.
Loved the program, everything Matt was described as was myself, I work in insurance, have a dead end job, never do anything about my ambitions and am in a rutt. The program has inspired me though and have already begun to make changes.
Thanks Derren for inspiring me, I wish I could be the subject of one of your ‘gameshows’ : )
great show! did anybody notice that before Derren mentioned it was 8/9/10, 11:12pm the numbers 1-7 also appeared in the show in order (i.e. the simulator cost £7m)
Thank you! I’ve never witnessed such a cathartic moment in the end of a tv show! I’ve been a fan of your’s before, but this was amazing! You should come to Finland – there would be a good use for your attitude improving techniques here. Thank you again!
I just watched the show on 4od after reading on Facebook that Derren had been to Rothwell, the place I grew up. It was a bit more ‘real’ for me as I know Dave (Matt’s mum’s boyfriend) and Nick & Sue who own the house that was used for the policeman’s home scene.
There really is no excuse for living a mediocre life. I sincerely hope Matt goes on to achieve everything he wants to in his life. It is clear that so many good things happened a a result of this experiment. I am sure the family will be most grateful to Derren for bringing them together and improving their relationships.
Why don’t the skeptics accept that this truly is powerful, life changing stuff?
~tied to the tracks with ropes made of bad reason~
Derran,
I’ve been a policeman for 22 years and you just made me realise why – I think maybe I always knew but you helped me see it so clearly, it makes so much more sense now – Thank you.
What you did for Matt was beyond comprehension but that is only the start as I honestly believe there will be thousands more who see the program and whose lives turn as of now – on behalf on those, Thank you again.
I hope Matt realises his ambition to become an officer as he has, without doubt, what we and the public need more of.
Derren I think you are absolutley AMAZING!!I loved the show last night, as do I love all your shows. It was unbelievable seeing the change in Matts personality! I thought the bystander effect experimant was also quite interesting, it’s exactly how I would have reacted, which has made me question things about myself in a good way though. Could you tell me when or if you are comming to Dublin? I would love to come to one of your shows!! Congratulations and well done on the show last night it ROCKED !!
Amanda 🙂
Hi Derren / Everyone that helped make the show.
I was 18 year old college leaver, unsure whether to pursue my dream career or to play it safe.
I could have quite easily slip into Matt’s ‘rut’. After watching ‘Hero’, you’ve made me realise I have one shot at life – and if I ‘crash the plane’ at least I will have tried .
Thank you so much for the most inspiring thing I have ever watched – it really has changed the direction of my life (cheesy but true).
Matt , congratulations you were so brave – and your girlfriend is beautiful.
Thank you!!!
(p.s i can’t believe i’ve become one of those internet forum people)
Oh Mr. Brown,
You made me cry, you bastard.
Greg (in Australia)
My bf and i really love ur show. Amazing!!!
however,it’s sad to say tht we had left uk. Couldn’t watch ur live show anymore. somehow, our support to u will nvr changed. 🙂
Hi derren.. i think that what you do is great! i just have 1 problem!
i dont belive in god, or anything magical really..
But some ppl might find peace in beliving that they once was contacted from their dead love ones..
if they do, it would be sad to MAKE them non belivers, like you could happen to do in one of your shows..
but besides that, im really facinated by what your doing.. i’ve tryed to learn your techniques by watching your shows and stuff, and acturally i picked up something wierd..
When i was with my freinds, i told them to pick a card.. (i was holding some in my hands)
I had the name of a card written down on a paper, hidden in my pocket.. The card i had written down, i held in my hand so that it was hard to see.. that made them pick that card :).. CONTINUES..
Then after they picked the card, i mixed them up again, and then took 2 cards in each hands..
Then i told them to pick a card while i was ”shaking” a little bit on that hand i wanted them to choose.. then they took that hand, and i then took the 2 cards from the hand in each hand! told them to pick again, and did exactly the same thing, and again, i made them choose the card 🙂
BTW.. sorry for my english.. im from denmark 🙂
Take care, and keep what you are doing!
– Kennie
Oh Derren! Derren Derren Derren!!
The happiness you bring me! Honestly, you’re pretty wonderful. That was such a nice show, Matt was so sweet and such a trooper- I can’t believe you put him on train tracks haha!
I think it’s time for you to come to Australia… Don’t worry, nobody here knows who you are 😉 and it’ll be fun, I swear! Come to Sydney.
Thanks for being so Derren-like. I bet you’re a Zimbardo fan, aren’t you?
Peace out,
Aimee
I really enjoyed show- but even more so am enjoying the absolute flurry of people on twitter who have spent yesterday and this morning talking about the new things they are signing up for, and the influence that they feel show has had on them – its actually astonishing, really seems to have touched something in an awful lot of people… nay-sayers take note.
Hi Derren,
Firstly congrats on another spectacular show, original, and in true “Derren Brown style”. I would love to be a part of any of your work, shows, ideas as they fascinate me and im a huge fan. Whenever there’s been a tour on i’ve typcially been too short on wonga, but the tv shows definatley look the most fun, wonder if i would have got the trick or the treat lol
I’m now following you on my newly signed up twitter (jakemmafighter), so hopefully anything your doing in the future i can apply for or at least watch with some luck 🙂
Wish you all the best with your work and in life, and as a fan who does have faith in the sincerity of what you do
take care
Jake Maddy 🙂
Hey Derren and everyone lol, i cant see how you are not Sir Derren Brown yet, what you did was truly heart warming and generous to turn someones life around like that and show them that they have the potenial to be extroidinary its just a shame that some people dont believe what your doing is genuine but they cant be helped unfortunatly keep it up and i hope to meet you in person one day 🙂
I absolutely loved this show, especially the part where Derren was watching goings on with Matt out the window; he had a face like a proud parent. It was a very good idea, I think even at a young age we all wish we had been a bit braver, taken an opportunity, or done something differently. At the moment I am making lots of changes in my life; new job, new home. I sometimes have these moments where I wonder if I am doing the right thing. I have a panic and think it would be easier and nicer to stay exactly when I am. I always manage to talk myself round, and remember why i am doing it, but now if I have one of these hiccups this show will be the first thing that springs to mind. Derren is fantastic, and I am so glad the show ended with the start of a new countdown.
Ellie
Hi Derren the show was amazing just like your tours for you to do that for someone and for them to completely conquer their fears is amazing, i to like Matt have a total fear of flying !! even stepping into the airport scares me to death. i think its amazing what you do, i think the sceptics may just be a litte frightened of things they cant comprehend. Cannot wait for the next show / tour. Keep up the good work Mr Brown
Sarah
Hi Derren,
Always been a fan of yours since your first show on Channel 4 and seen you live 3 times now. Really loved “Hero”, it was amazing that you chose to do a show like that. Your absolutely magical on screen!
Derren, please take a tour in the Philippines. I’m 13 years old and interested in what you do. I used to do card magic and also shifted to mentalism. I would like to see you live. Please and thank you.
Truly inspiring, Derren’s great skill, attention and dedication has transformed this guy’s life, if only we all had those skills, we could change the world! Something Derren said in the film reminded me of Carl Sagan’s quote in Cosmos ” We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever” so truly beautiful, Just think how different life could be for us and our communitites if we could collectively focus now on ways to improve our lives (using proven methods, of course) and stop wasting time and energy on things that don’t.