Grand Princess Dec 6, 2010

[f-mattox]

We have enjoyed Kevin Hughes on several cruises; one of the most entertaining comics anywhere--land or sea.

[RichC]

We went to Skywalkers only one night before going to Sabatini's but didn't really stay to long or even buy a drink because we didn't like that special of the night. The appetizers weren't anything special either & since we were going to Sabatini's why bother to fill up prior?  Losing the lounge won't be any big loss because so few people actually use it.
I actually volunteered one night for the hypnotist show & didn't get a thing out of it. Strange. I thought for sure she could hypnotize me but it didn't do nothing for me. I'm beginning to doubt the people who do volunteer.  I'm now believing they all just play along for the show.

[f-mattox]

I'm now believing they all just play along for the show.

Rich, as a musician who used to work for Princess backing the shows, I can assure you that is the case 98& of the time.

[RichC]

I was standing on stage like a dummy while she was giving me suggestions which I didn't follow. I didn't want to make her look bad but at the same time I wasn't going to put on an act for her benefit. My wife said I should have went along with her suggestions but that's not the point. When we were on stage we were all lined up seated with our eyes closed & my wife told me that 4 or 5 of the people got up & went back to their seats as she was talking. I'll volunteer another time with a different hypnotist & see what happens.
Maybe I was fighting it subconsciously but at the same time I'm not the type who's going to make a fool of myself for someone's benefit.   

[f-mattox]

"Real" hypnotists say that nobody will do anything under hypnosis that they wouldn't or couldn't do normally; "stage" hypnotists count on this and know that most people who volunteer plan to go along with the program.  But there will always be some who will un-volunteer or, like you, will not be a clown for somebody else's amusement.

[RichC]

Then why bother volunteering, unless you just like being on stage?

[f-mattox]

The hypnotists count on there being a certain number in any audience that will be willing to get on stage and make fools of themselves.

[RichC]

My wife, who didn't believe in their act, volunteered a few cruises ago and was also reluctant to do anything they were suggesting. The guy was trying to get her to be sad because her dog had dies & my wife just sat there & said "but I don't have a dog"  . I videoed the whole thing & when she watched it recalls the whole act just like myself. I used to look at the shows as being entertaining but feel as though most of the people are just part people who'll go along with anything for a laugh.