Truth Like The Dark

Official date and time, from MovieWeb

Derren Brown Project (Title TBD; New Series - Premieres July 25, 2007 @ 10 PM) - This July, SCI FI Channel will introduce America to mentalist Derren Brown, the British sensation described as “part James Bond, part Yoda.” With numerous top-rated series and specials to his credit, Derren has astounded UK television audiences causing them to conclude that he knows your mind better than you do. SCI FI’s original U.S. produced version of the Derren Brown Project (official title TBD) will consist of 6 jaw-dropping 1-hour episodes that must be seen to be believed. Andrew O’Conner and Michael Vine will serve as executive producers for Objective Productions.

The British press has called him “mind-blowing,” “fascinating” and “a warlock.” He doesn’t claim to be a mind reader, though he can seemingly predict and control human behavior. He describes his craft as a mixture of suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. Whatever you choose to call it, his unparalleled gift is a powerful and provocative form of entertainment.

I was doing some reading on the truly fantastic NationMaster, and found these interesting UK/US comparisons. Amongst nations, these are the places where the UK and the US and top and bottom ranked:

UK ranked top in:
Agriculture > Yield > Barley
Economy > Economic aid > Donor
Economy > Trade with US > US exports of alcoholic beverages, excluding wine
Education > Private school enrollment > Secondary level
Energy > Nuclear energy consumption in 1965 (per capita)
Food > Tea consumption
Health > Obesity in men
Immigration > Asylum Seekers
Lifestyle > Confidence in social institutions > Armed forces
Taxation > Components of taxation > Property tax

UK is bottom ranked in:
Agriculture > Exports to USA > Apricots (per capita)
Agriculture > Exports to USA > Lettuce headed
Agriculture > Exports to USA > Lettuce headed (per capita)
Agriculture > Exports to USA > Raspberries blackberries mulberries and loganberries
Agriculture > Exports to USA > Strawberries (per capita)
Agriculture > Exports to USA > Urd mung black or green gram beans (per capita)
Crime > Bribery victims
Crime > Murders with firearms (per capita)
Crime > Suicide rates in ages 65-74
Health > Death from cancer

USA is top ranked in:
Crime > Rapes
Crime > Total crimes
Economy > GDP > Nominal
Economy > GDP > PPP
Education > Average years of schooling of adults
Food > McDonalds restaurants
Language > English speakers
Military > Expenditures > Dollar figure
People > Divorce rate
Sports > Summer olympic medals > All time

USA is bottom ranked in:
Crime > Software piracy rate
Economy > Big Mac Index (per $ GDP)
Economy > Commitment to foreign aid
Education > Educational attainment > Junior secondary
Education > Spending per secondary school student (per $ GDP)
Food > Wine consumption
People > Age at first marriage for men
People > Age at first marriage for women
Sports > Rugby World Cup > 2003 standings (per capita)
Taxation > Components of taxation > Goods and service tax

Friday night:
1) Freud (gallery/bar in a grotty basement that makes fantastic cocktails)
2) Mon Plaseur (oldest existing French restaurant in London)
3) Saw the completely inexplicable Tiger Lillies:

4) Went to faux goth bar Garlic & Shots, and tormented others with, well, shots with garlic.

Great night out.

I’ve loved the song forever, but I just saw the fabulous video for the first time today:

Via: VideoSift

I don’t know what’s better about Leonard Cohen: how cool he is, or how cool he makes you feel for knowing about him.