Derek

[Steve Crook]

Like all comedians who hit the heights...

Let us know when he hits a height, or even a middle

But I like the idea of banishing him to the South pole

Steve

[Rowdon]

Don't like anything he does - I still can't believe the hoo-haa The Office raised which helped the lazy fly-on-the-wall doc style comic writing endure for a few more years....I'll bet anyone that 40 years on, The Office won't be shown as much or considered as a comedy tv great as, say, Fawlty Towers is.

I don't think I agree with that. It's not The Office's fault that the mockumentary format is the default setting for imagination-free committee meetings on how to reproduce recent successes. The Office was an outstanding piece of work that was cut after two series because there was nothing left to say, and had two specials to wrap up loose ends that one can take as part of the story or leave out. Great TV, and if it's not regarded as a TV great like Fawlty Towers, then that is also because I can't think of any TV series that was so short and yet is so revered: Fawlty Towers is unassailable ... like some real towers. That doesn't say anything about The Office.

For me, the problem isn't The Office or even Extras, much of which was well-aimed satire and laugh-out-loud funny: the problem is that Gervais isn't the right centre to focus on. The Office was a team effort: the other characters were as interesting as David Brent: it wasn't 'The Trials and Tribulations of David Brent' every week, it was him, people reacting to him, other things happening away from him, all delivered by an excellent ensemble cast of comic actors who have gone on to other good things. I haven't seen Life's Too Short or Derek because neither of them have interested me enough to even watch on youtube, and I think one reason is that they are too Gervais-centric: one because he is the eponymous character, and the other because he's supposedly the viewer's cipher interacting with the unusual protagonist, and I don't sympathise with Gervais enough to let him be that for me (does anyone follow this?).

And his Hollywood films suffer from the same thing. I don't want Ricky Gervais as a romantic hero. I just don't. Sorry.

Jimmy Carr made a good point about comedians somewhere or other: He said that some successful comedians are loved, others aren't - he is one that isn't loved by his audience; they come to his gigs expecting a series of (cruel) jokes, not mateyness, so he can't rely on audience goodwill unless he delivers punchline after punchline. I think the comedians like Russell Howard and, from another generation, perhaps Lenny Henry, go onstage into an atmosphere of "Hello, mate!"-sympathy. Carr says he doesn't, and Gervais definitely doesn't. That doesn't stop him being funny, but he should understand that he can't have it both ways: he can either play the alienated, cynical card, or the cuddly and nice card. I think Stephen Merchant does cuddly and nice better - and is probably quietly enjoying his income, as opposed to loudly trying to make enemies for laughs.

I am now going to get back to work, and sue Britmovie for loss of earnings.



PS. Here's a thought: it's already over ten years since The Office first came on our screens, and it's still very much a reference point in TV comedy discussions.

[cumberbatches_woman]

although im not keen on Ricky Gervais i must admit i did enjoy this program, i was interested in seeing Karl Pilkington do an acting role for the first time, and wasnt disappointed, i was aware the program was criticized for mocking people with learning disabilities, but to be honest i couldnt see where the program did that, dont get me wrong im not one to watch anything with or by Ricky, but i realy enjoyed Derek and the earlier 2 series he created with Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington, Idiot Abroad and Bucket List.

[Rowdon]

I cannot abide Karl Pilkington, as a victim or as a peer, as a straight man or as a comedy actor, as a presenter or as a guest, as an idiot savant or as an idiot, as a concept or as reality.

Not personally, obviously - he might be a lovely bloke. But it's nasty nasty comedy.

[captainhaddock]

i have to dash to change channels whenever mc intyre or bishop appear
but at the same time my dislike for their comedy doesnt consume me
perhaps theyre not so bad in their everyday lives away from their screen persona ?

anyway anything gervais does seems to just have bile poured over it on these pages rather than being criticised fairly
you expect better from britmovie
we'll be sending abusive e mails to louise mensch next !

[Steve Crook]

PS. Here's a thought: it's already over ten years since The Office first came on our screens, and it's still very much a reference point in TV comedy discussions.

Yes, for every other comedy, however bad it is, we say "Well, at least it's not as bad as Gervais"

Steve

[Steve Crook]

anyway anything gervais does seems to just have bile poured over it on these pages rather than being criticised fairly
you expect better from britmovie

We've tried critical analysis, bile seems more appropriate

Steve

[Sleepin_Dragon]

I loathed the Office, and have to say the Office did zero for me personally, however i hate to admit i actually quite liked Derek, wasnt it just a little bit different?

[Freddy]

There were parts of Derek which were quite good but it would have been interesting to see what a better actor would have made of the title role. Also a one off is a different beast to a series, especially as the formula is old and tired.

Watching it reminded me a touch of Peter Tinniswood's 1985 series Mog which starred Enn Reitel, which was set in a home for those with mental health problems, that was far better.

[captainhaddock]

karl pilkington is a natural in front of the camera
for someone who was just discovered in the real sense of the word he's a good actor

i enjoyed that first episode of the new series

[batman]

I thought it was dreadful. I also thought it was an insult to anyone involved in that area of life as either staff member or patient/resident. Crass, insensitive and with no real understanding of the subject matter. Total crap!

[narabdela]

I thought it was dreadful. I also thought it was an insult to anyone involved in that area of life as either staff member or patient/resident. Crass, insensitive and with no real understanding of the subject matter. Total crap!

I couldn't agree more.

You can't just single out Gervais here. Everyone associated with this sickening rubbish ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

[Marky B]

If I see his name on any programme/film,I avoid it like the plague!
Ta Ta
Marky B

[melade]

I'm very surprised to see that people find this insulting. I haven't had a chance to watch the latest episode yet but the one before that was very moving in the way that it showed the dedication of the staff and the way in which the old people were presented as being just like us but dealing with the issues that age brings with humour and dignity.

There was also a storyline about a teenage girl who was forced to do community service at the home. She initially hated it and found it all "mingin'" but soon found a sense of purpose that she had never known before. It was actually quite moving when the manager, who is the central character of this, offered her praise in an assessment and she was overcome, never having received praise before.

in a previous episode they had the suits visit in order to decide whether there would be funding for the home to continue and it really showed the callous way in which decisions are made for financial reasons by managers in comfortable offices with no consideration of the devastating effects on the people affected.

On the whole I find Gervais a witty, intelligent comedian/writer. I don't necessarily like everything he does and there's one joke in his last live show that I find so offensive that I can't watch it again. But I don't then choose to hate him and everything he does I simply don't watch that joke and accept that people make mistakes, this joke being, in my opinion, an error of judgement.

I can understand how people might find his work not to their taste but, considering what passes for comedy gold on this site (which I enjoy also) I think the criticism is a little harsh.

[captainhaddock]

the kevs girlfriend bit in the last episode was the comedy of embarrassment gervais specialises in .
very funny and memorable because your jaw hits the floor first time you watch

or not funny at all if you dont get his humour

derek finding a dying bird then calling 999 and when the would be angry paramedics arrived an old codger taking the blame for feeling unwell was quite touching

[captainhaddock]

best one yet tonight
i laughed all the way through

the autograph segment with the confusion about household brand names will stay with me as comedy gold

[Kingsley]

As somebody who works in this field of employment, in my opinion, it is an accurate portrayal of the difficulties, and at times, the sheer madness of what goes on. I also think some of the scenes are beautifully shot. I feel the only problem with this comedy, is Gervais. He needed to stay behind the camera for this one. His screen presence is what taints the whole show. I know this shouldn't impact on my viewing of the show, but having seen so many of the outtakes from Extras and The Office, I can't help thinking, that when "cut" is shouted at the end of a scene, Gervais breaks out into a fit of laughter. It might not happen and you might be saying, "well so what?", but it just doesn't sit well with me, the idea of basing a comedy around a vulnerable person, mimicking them and then rolling around with mirth afterwards. As I said, this might not be the case and I could be doing Gervais a disservice, but I just feel that there is a reason why this kind of show hasn't been done before and that reason is that people in the past have known where to draw the line. The show does have its merits, it highlights triumphs/failings within the care sector and I think the character Kev is fantastic, all that said however, it is looking like a bit of a flop.

[MATTY]

No, I don't agree.

[James Fox]

I've seen a couple episodes. I think it's funny (and sometimes touching), but then I enjoyed "The Office" and "Extras" (though I disliked "Life's Too Short" and those Pilkington shows).