Derren Brown’s television series ended last night in spectacular style with Brown losing £5000 of someone elses money.
Derren Brown’s How To Beat A Casino which went out last night at 9pm could signal the end of his career after his attempt to conquer a roulette wheel dramatically backfired. Brown had met a member of the public on the street and through hypnosis, instructed him to withdraw £5000 from his bank account and give it to him. When the money had been withdrawn and handed to Brown, he made it clear to the victim that he would never remember any of his actions.
Last night, live on Channel 4, Brown rang the member of the public, a man named Ben who clearly did not have any recollection of giving Brown the £5000. The psychic then explained to Ben what he was planning on doing with his money and if it went the correct way, Ben would win £175,000.
The programme was almost uneasy to watch, but Brown had pre-recorded footage of him predicting certain elements such as speed so he could make the correct bet and win the money.
Brown was secretly filming in a secret location in Europe and when inside the casino only two hidden cameras were used to capture what can only be described as one of the greatest TV blunders ever. Ben watched from a directors lorry as Brown placed his £5000 on a number on the game board. I believe it was black number eight. But Brown had got it wrong, he was one out, the ball landed in the slot next to what he had predicted. That was Ben’s money gone and Brown’s reputation.
The programme ended with a brief, embarrassed apology from Brown and the director telling Ben he would get his money back. Roll the credits and signal the end of the show, the end of the series and maybe the end of Derren Brown.
