I was once hypnotized at a comedy club by a comic, Jay Medicine Hat or something or other. There is something to it. I just remember coming out of it like a deep sleep, and I could sort of remember every foolish I thing I did, but it was like a dream. I think i was really unconscious. But I was also drunk and / or high at the time, so my suggestibility may have been heightened in the first place.
I witnessed this a few times while living in Tyler, TX. Our very well known, popular, and successful Sheriff at the time, on top of many other things, was a known hypnotist. On a couple of occasions I witnessed his work in situations where there could have been no staging or planting and was left with quite an impression. It definitely can work...though I know and understand little about all factors that might affect the success rate.
It probably works on some people but not others. Sort of like how Jabba the Hut was unaffected by Jedi mind tricks.
