There’s been much speculation between now and Wednesday night when illusionist Derren Brown correctly predicted the numbers that came up in the national lottery. Whilst many sceptics believe he in some way ‘cheated’, I thought I’d give my take on the theories floating around just prior to tonights programme at 9 on channel 4: Theory 1: Split Screen The notion is whilst the camera artificially ‘wobbles’, a still image of one half of the screen is put in place whilst the other half is the live feed of Derren watching the numbers come up, a techniques showcased in this amateur youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqAt2akPHJ8

First off, this kind of manoeuvre would be extremely difficult to execute live, as the editing would have to be done on the spot. Secondly, anyone who has seen Derren Brown’s programmes should know that this kind of technical trick is not what he usually performs. Had David Blaine predicted the lottery numbers then I’m certain this would have been his chosen method, as it was not however I think it was something that took much more planning and thought rather than a quick trick.

Theory 2: Filming various outcomes Then broadcasting the correct one. Again would be fairly difficult to perform live as the correct transmission would have to be put out as the numbers had just been announced. The delay with analogue in comparison to digital signals would give them about 2 seconds or so, but not nearly enough time to play the ‘correct’ prediction without the audience noticing a change.

Theory 3: Spray paint or projection Another trick which is perfectly plausible, but very unlikely. The concept of someone projecting the numbers onto the balls is perfectly possible, but undermines Derren Brown’s style of illusionism (I know it’s not a word) and wouldn’t take “a year’s obsession”. Also, the programme is called “how to win the lottery” not “how to make it look like you’ve correctly guessed the lottery numbers, hence not actually winning the lottery at all just proving a point”. A title that is both ignorant to the premise of the show and one that probably wouldn’t sell the show to its audience.

Theory 4: Suggestion Very unlikely, whilst this is more Derren Brown’s ‘thing’ (like with his show at the races where he insisted his ticket was a “winning ticket” and got the money when in fact it was a losing ticket) the idea of him convincing a nation full of sceptics that he had correctly predicted the lottery when he actually hadn’t, especially as the national lottery was broadcast on the BBC for everyone to see (magic of sky +) isn’t likely at all…unless he somehow brainwashed everyone including Camelot….

Theory 5: He had already seen the results Many flaws with this theory, first off why would the BBC cooperate with a rival network to give them higher ratings?

Secondly, it would most probably be illegal.

Finally, the delay between BBC and Channel 4 could only be a few seconds, thus giving him no time to change his answer.

So this was my take on just a handful of the many theories out there, of course he claims he will reveal all on tonight’s Channel 4 show at 9 pm. My guess is that he formed some sort of system like he did with the dog races, finding a system that picked out the winning runner every time. Or like his method of beating the casinos (which subsequently meant he is banned from most of them within the area). Whatever the method, I’m sure it will create as many “water cooler” moments as Wednesday night’s escapades.