Derek (Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington Sitcom)

94Conor · 14-02-2013 1:48pm

Shane St. wrote: »

Massive Gervais fan.... Office, Extras, Standups, podcasts but I just can't get into this. I wanted to like it but I just can't. It's kind of depressing

I feel the same way tbh

leggo · 14-02-2013 11:24pm

Richard tea wrote: »

Someone mentioned earlier that he receives alot of praise on twitter but Ricky doesn't re-tweet the neg comments.

In fairness, it'd be pretty dumb for him to start promoting criticism of his work. Would you start re-tweeting if people starting complaining about you doing your dayjob? Celebs aren't journalists, they're not obliged in any way to provide any kind of 'balance' of public opinion. They are, however, obliged to promote upcoming projects and encourage people to check them out.

Richard tea · 15-02-2013 2:10am

leggo wrote: »

In fairness, it'd be pretty dumb for him to start promoting criticism of his work. Would you start re-tweeting if people starting complaining about you doing your dayjob? Celebs aren't journalists, they're not obliged in any way to provide any kind of 'balance' of public opinion. They are, however, obliged to promote upcoming projects and encourage people to check them out.

I agree but he used to re-tweet negative comments and have a come back for them but now its all just the positive.

starviewadams · 15-02-2013 2:13am

Only watch it for Pilkington who's character is spot on,cannot stand Gervais!

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 15-02-2013 2:19am

I think Pilkington, Gervais and your one who plays Hannah are doing a fantastic job... Really can't stand the other guy - but I think that's the point...
Anyway, I like the show either way...

Quandary · 15-02-2013 1:33pm

Loving this show! There's nothing like it on tv at the moment. Most shows on tv reward lazy watching but this requires effort on the part of the viewer and it rewards you for it

Its easy to say its too uncomfortable to watch but its uncomfortable for a reason.

The actress who plays Hannah is superb. Pilkington is also surprisingly good in a semi-serious role.

phasers · 15-02-2013 1:42pm

I'm really enjoying this, and I'm not a Ricky Gervais fan at all. The only character I dont like is that creepy weirdo guy Kev.

Grimebox · 15-02-2013 2:45pm

I don't find it uncomfortable to watch to be honest.

Cringe humour like The Office made me squirm in my seat

Welsh Megaman · 15-02-2013 3:44pm

Haven't found the Kev character even remotely funny.

Basq · 15-02-2013 3:52pm

The only thing I can think with Kev is they're to emulate a lecherous creepy Gareth from 'The Office' style character... but yeah, he doesn't work.

Kerry Godliman (Hannah), Pilkington and Gervais are all top-notch though.

cgarrad · 15-02-2013 4:19pm

Amazing. Incredibly well acted. Detailed nuances are everywhere. I feel sorry for those that don't "get it".

jcsoulinger · 15-02-2013 7:24pm

The pilot was good. But the series so far has not been great. Its a bit too mushy and doesn't have the cringe factor 500 that Gervais usually produces. The substitute cringe is Kev, which doesn't work as hes too blatant and not funny. Its ok but no where near the office or extras and not as funny as lifes too short. I think its biggest mistake is not developing the characters in more funny situations before goin for the tearjerky stuff.

Grimebox · 15-02-2013 7:26pm

jcsoulinger wrote: »

The pilot was good. But the series so far has not been great. Its a bit too mushy and doesn't have the cringe factor 500 that Gervais usually produces. The substitute cringe is Kev, which doesn't work as hes too blatant and not funny. Its ok but no where near the office or extras and not as funny as lifes too short. I think its biggest mistake is not developing the characters in more funny situations before goin for the tearjerky stuff.

I would barely even consider Derek to be a comedy tbh

leggo · 15-02-2013 7:58pm

Am I the only one unfortunate enough to have encountered people as blatantly crass and creepy as Kev? He genuinely reminds me of a few unsavoury souls I've had the misfortune of meeting over the years. I don't really see his relevance to the show, but I think he's realistically written for what it's worth.

Grimebox · 15-02-2013 8:08pm

leggo wrote: »

Am I the only one unfortunate enough to have encountered people as blatantly crass and creepy as Kev? He genuinely reminds me of a few unsavoury souls I've had the misfortune of meeting over the years. I don't really see his relevance to the show, but I think he's realistically written for what it's worth.

I really like his Liam Gallagher swagger

jcsoulinger · 15-02-2013 8:52pm

Grimebox wrote: »

I would barely even consider Derek to be a comedy tbh

You may not find it funny but more than anything else it is a comedy

Niles · 15-02-2013 10:47pm

Started watching last week, not a big Gervais fan but pleasantly surprised. It's funny while managing to highlight some real world issues at the same time without being preachy.

Will continue to watch for now.

ricero · 22-02-2013 5:31pm

anyone see this weeks episode. was in stitches laughing at derek, kev and dougie at the beach

Basq · 22-02-2013 5:47pm

The bits at the beach were great... but the scenes in the home will Hannah treaded familiar territory.

Grimebox · 22-02-2013 7:45pm

ricero wrote: »

anyone see this weeks episode. was in stitches laughing at derek, kev and dougie at the beach

Yeah that was great. "I'm writing on the crabs" as if its completely normal. Lost it at "BOLL"

Melion · 25-02-2013 3:14pm

I think its one of the best things to ever appear on british TV, absolutely incredible. And i normally dont like Ricky Gervais. The scene last week when Derek was crying after the old woman died was amazing, shows the depth of the show IMO.

I really think people just dont get shows like this because there is no canned laughter to tell them what is funny.

ricero · 25-02-2013 4:47pm

i think Pilkington has been brilliant considering its his first acting role. i know people will think hes just playing himself but i think there is more to that, great acting and very believable performance also.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 26-02-2013 1:20am

More people need to be watching this IMO

Grimebox · 27-02-2013 10:56pm

As a young single squeamish male, I do not enjoy this program about childbirth that is on before it :eek:

Giruilla · 28-02-2013 12:41pm

I was very put off by the initial pilot, but watched last nights episode. Laughed more watching that than I did in the entire season of lifes too short!
Karl absolutely steals the show.

Basq · 28-02-2013 12:58pm

The Duran Duran stuff was funny..

.. but enough about young offenders doing community service and warming to the elderly during their time there.

Grimebox · 28-02-2013 12:59pm

Basq wrote: »

The Duran Duran stuff was funny..

.. but enough about young offenders doing community service and warming to the elderly during their time there.

Kev was hilarious during that whole episode

Blisterman · 28-02-2013 1:32pm

A distinct lack of sad piano music, I noticed, which was a plus.

Grimebox · 28-02-2013 2:03pm

Blisterman wrote: »

A distinct lack of sad piano music, I noticed, which was a plus.

If you still need your hit :pac:

This was in one of the episodes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdDDY5nVA3A

mr_edge_to_you · 28-02-2013 10:54pm

Hey

Does anyone know if this is repeated? Last nights episode on sky plus is all pixelated.

This is a brilliant show - much more than a comedy. I think gervais has done a cracking job. The entire character if Dougie was clearly created specifically for Karl. There was no acting when Dougie was pushed into the sea in last weeks episode.

Grimebox · 28-02-2013 10:57pm

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derek/4od#3483578

brian_t · 28-02-2013 11:24pm

mr_edge_to_you wrote: »

Hey

Does anyone know if this is repeated?.

It's repeated on C4 on Tuesdays at 11.00pm

It's also on 4seven at 3.05am on Saturday morning and at 1.05am on Sunday morning.

mr_edge_to_you · 28-02-2013 11:34pm

Grimebox wrote: »

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derek/4od#3483578

Unfortunately my "broadband" doesn't lend itself to streaming tv programs/movies.

Basq · 04-03-2013 3:49pm

Second series ahoy!

Ricky Gervais comedy-drama Derek is to return for a second series on Channel 4.

Six more 30-minute episodes have been commissioned, after the first series attracted a consolidated average of 2.1m viewers.

"Derek is probably my favourite thing of everything I've done, so I can't wait to start thinking up some new adventures for the gang," said Gervais, who writes and directs the show, in addition to playing the title character.

Phil Clarke, Channel 4's Head of Comedy, added: "I am delighted that Derek is coming back for a second run on Channel 4. It's an original comic vision, brave, funny and touching, with a star performance at its heart. It has already garnered a loyal following."

Derek debuted with a pilot episode in April 2012, with a full series following in January of this year.

Karl Pilkington, Kerry Godliman and David Earl also star in the show, which concludes its first series this Wednesday (March 6) at 10pm on Channel 4.

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.ie/tv/news/a463064/ricky-gervaiss-derek-gets-second-series-on-channel-4.html#ixzz2MaBfEYqO

Source: DigitalSpy

Aidric · 04-03-2013 4:03pm

I find this show to be neither funny or endearing.

madness98 · 04-03-2013 4:39pm

I've heard really mixed opinions about this, I have liked some of Ricky Gervais stuff before but to be honest could take him or leave him. Is this worth watching?

Grimebox · 04-03-2013 5:06pm

madness98 wrote: »

I've heard really mixed opinions about this, I have liked some of Ricky Gervais stuff before but to be honest could take him or leave him. Is this worth watching?

Only six 25 minute long episodes in the series so not a huge investment. Reviews are teetering around slightly above average across the board.

I enjoy it but can easily see why people don't like it. It is not ground breaking and can be appear predictable and unoriginal at times. I think it makes up for that in its charm and moments of hilarity.

Seeing Karl Pilkington in his first proper acting role is reason enough for me to watch it, so there may be an element of fanboy-ism on my part :pac:

mr_edge_to_you · 04-03-2013 10:11pm

I think it is funny - subtle funny, definitely not laugh out loud funny.

It is a brilliantly made program. It's warm, funny, sad and very real.

The humour is kept in check (and is in no way offensive) given the sensitive nature of the characters - elderly residents, mental disabilities etc.

All in all it's quite a heartwarming program.

I for one will be looking forward to series 2.

fryup · 06-03-2013 11:00am

Gervais is an enigma to me, his stand up routine can be cruel & nasty.

so I don't know if he's being sincere about his portrayal of the main character or is it one big piss take on special needs people?

watch this does the autograph hunter remind you of anyone??

Blisterman · 06-03-2013 11:45am

fryup wrote: »

Gervais is an enigma to me, his stand up routine can be cruel & nasty.

so I don't know if he's being sincere about his portrayal of the main character or is it one big piss take on special needs people?

watch this does the autograph hunter remind you of anyone??

There's a pretty high level of irony in all his stand up, which a lot of people don't seem to get. Generally the targets of his standup are the sorts of people who have bigoted views.

But it's interesting how people think Derek is offensive, when his lack of intelligence is rarely if ever the target of a joke. Whereas it's perfectly ok for audiences to laugh at people like Father Dougal or Homer Simpson, who in real life would be considered to have learning difficulties.

I know those two characters are more of a cartoonish caricature than Derek, but then again, why is that acceptable, and a more nuanced realistic portayal isn't? Cartoonish ethnic stereotypes are completely taboo nowadays.

mfceiling · 06-03-2013 11:35pm

Aidric wrote: »

I find this show to be neither funny or endearing.

Watch tonight's episode (number 6).

Possibly the best 30 minutes of fiction i have watched in years. Acting was top class.

Basq · 06-03-2013 11:37pm

Amazing episode...

.. I take back everything I've said about Kev's character.

His monologue this episode was just astounding!

"I'm not a failure cause I didn't succeed, I'm a failure because I didn't try"

One of the most emotionally draining episodes of a comedy I've seen in years.. stunning stuff!

mfceiling · 06-03-2013 11:42pm

I seemed to have something in my eye watching it!!;)

colinod0806 · 07-03-2013 12:52am

Excellent from start to finish.:)
I had a tear ready to leave my eye the whole way through, I was struggling but it finally came out when I saw Derek jump out of the car and run back to his Dad.

I think I read on Gervais' Twitter feed a few weeks ago that we were supposed to hate Kev "for now" and I noticed in the last couple of episodes that we were getting to see his better side.

Also Starring LeVar Burton · 07-03-2013 5:04am

Gotta agree... Really felt for Kev after hearing some of his talking heads in tonight's episode... Good to see he's not a one dimensional character after all... He could arguably be the most complex...

And his quote about being a failure because he never tried (as Basq has already quoted about) is immediately one of my all-time favourite quotes...

Well written, well acted, well directed... Very glad this is coming back for a second season...

Ten out of ten, five stars, all thumbs, two pints of lager and a packet of crisps...

Grimebox · 07-03-2013 8:38pm

Only just watched it now. I completely lost it.

The moment Derek realised that that was his father he was talking to. Then when he runs out of the car to hug him. I can't remember the last time I've gotten so emotionally involved with a TV show. It really hit home. They still managed to fit some humour in there with Dougie and Kev's interviews. I thought this was just a flawed show that I enjoyed, I was wrong. Fantastic episode to bring it all together. 10/10

Agricola · 07-03-2013 10:58pm

The final episode of this series kind of reminded me of Gervais' joke to Kate Winslet at the Golden Globes where he joked he told her to do a holocaust movie and wait for the Oscar!

He seems to be the master of emotional manipulation. With the Office he practically invented the teeth grindingly cringey comedy genre. Something so awful you had to almost watch it through your fingers. With Derek, he's swapped cringe for a heart string tugging, tear jerking blubb fest. He really knows how to press people's buttons, watch the popular opinion silence the critics and then let the lorry loads of awards roll in!

(Im one of those forum begrudgers he hates I suppose. Im a massive cúnt in that case.

)

mfceiling · 07-03-2013 11:58pm

Really stuck with me today. Can't remember a tv programme that has done that before.

Richard tea · 08-03-2013 3:28am

I bit the bullet tonight and watched episodes 2 - 6. Only positive I can come up with is I want to see Derek & his father begin a relationship.

Basq · 08-03-2013 3:45pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEOVJystrJk

Derek (Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington Sitcom)

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