Hypnosis - does it really work?

[cruisemates]

I am completely skeptical. How is it that just because a person says "when I count to three you will be in a deep deep sleep" -- (oh, but by the way you will be also be able to walk around with your underwear on your head) people will do humiliating things in public and claim they don't remember a thing?

Have you ever been hypnotized? Do you really not remember a thing?

I just don't get it. I would probably just start laughing if someone tried to hypnotize me - my mind does not "surrender" its control.

Has hypnotism ever been either proven or debunked?