Derek (Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington Sitcom)

Deedsie · 14-04-2012 7:27am

I enjoyed it, I am a fan of Gervais, Merchant and above all Pilkington though...

It was a window into the highs and lows of the under appreciated people in society! It showed how tender and decent people can be. It also showed how cruel life can be to innocent people. "chavs down the pub"

It's not a comedy really but Karl in his first acting role stole the show...

brian_t · 14-04-2012 12:00pm

I enjoyed it too.

Deedsie wrote: »

It's not a comedy really but Karl in his first acting role stole the show...

I thought Karl was playing the exact same character he plays in An Innocent Abroad. Different name and with a hair piece of course.

NotorietyH · 14-04-2012 12:18pm

James T Kirk wrote: »

Am I a cynic, or did Gervais write this show especially to fend off the criticism he received for pulling 'mong' faces on Twitter?

You're a cynic. He was filming the show already when that happened or was filming a week or two after. I remember him posting pictures from the set on Twitter soon after he joined.

I don't follow him any more on Twitter, he became insufferable when Life's Too Short was airing, and I wasn't a fan of that show, but in fairness Derek was very good. When he wants to he can create fairly effective little dramatic moments, that seem pretty heartfelt. You just have to look at the Office to see that, especially the Christmas special. I think Derek was him exploring that side again. Don't think it was a cynical ploy, or at least not for the reasons you think.

IamtheWalrus · 15-04-2012 9:31am

Hamster on a piano, hamster on a piano.. HE CATCHES HIM!

MungBean · 15-04-2012 10:10am

Really wasnt expecting much with this thinking it was another out and out comedy but it was absolutely brilliant.

Basq · 15-04-2012 10:14am

NotorietyH wrote: »

You're a cynic. He was filming the show already when that happened or was filming a week or two after. I remember him posting pictures from the set on Twitter soon after he joined.

The character of Derek has been around much longer than that..

.. he made a short movie revolving around Derek in 2001. It was on YouTube up until recently too, but can't find it now.

leggo · 15-04-2012 10:22am

He's really, really onto something here. I think this could be his 'Forrest Gump', and when he proves he's not just a one-trick pony in terms of characters he plays. And given how much time he's taken to flesh this out, it shows how careful he's being with it to get it right. I'm looking forward to more.

MungBean · 15-04-2012 10:35am

James T Kirk wrote: »

'Derek' was just Gervais pulling his mong face ('cos he ain't no Daniel Day Lewis) with Karl Pilkington stealing the show from under his pretentious arse.

And rightly so. Go Karl!

I get the feeling this might go over peoples heads with a lot of people left wondering why the "retard" wasnt funnier after seeing it.

jack presley · 15-04-2012 11:16am

leggo wrote: »

He's really, really onto something here. I think this could be his 'Forrest Gump', and when he proves he's not just a one-trick pony in terms of characters he plays. And given how much time he's taken to flesh this out, it shows how careful he's being with it to get it right. I'm looking forward to more.

He might not be a one trick pony with the characters he plays but he's getting that way with the format of his shows. Mockumentary again!

KilOit · 15-04-2012 6:47pm

Watched this on 4od, how did they fit so much into 24 mins, hope to see more of this, didn't really laugh but didn't see it as a comedy really.

pickarooney · 16-04-2012 1:41pm

I felt nothing for this.

Gerty · 16-04-2012 3:15pm

2 things i think that could make the show better -

1. Not to have Gervais
2. Not to have Karl

Karl is just distracting and being himself and the same for Gervais.

The woman, Kerry Godliman, stole the show i thought.

pconn062 · 16-04-2012 11:13pm

I thought this was good, if a little rushed. I couldn't really buy Gervais or Pilkington's characters but I enjoyed the concept. Would like to see more.

Welsh Megaman · 17-04-2012 11:47am

Daily Mail has the knives sharpened...surprise, surprise.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2130277/Ricky-Gervais-Derek-Father-autistic-teenager-attacks-vile-cynical-new-comedy.html

MungBean · 17-04-2012 12:05pm

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

Daily Mail has the knives sharpened...surprise, surprise.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2130277/Ricky-Gervais-Derek-Father-autistic-teenager-attacks-vile-cynical-new-comedy.html

Was waiting for that. Show about a disabled person, cue outraged parents ranting in rags.

"I know what its really like, my son is disabled, this is vile and cynical" "PS, pick up my book in all good book stores"
"Dont forget to buy next weeks daily mail to read the true story of "Derek" the disabled kid who lives in a bin"

Fcuk off.

antoswords · 17-04-2012 12:15pm

Gerty wrote: »

2 things i think that could make the show better -

1. Not to have Gervais
2. Not to have Karl

Karl is just distracting and being himself and the same for Gervais.

The woman, Kerry Godliman, stole the show i thought.

This 100%

Ash.J.Williams · 17-04-2012 12:16pm

I do agree that it's obvious gervais wrote this show cynically ...however the guy complaining clearly hasn't seen the show

Welsh Megaman · 17-04-2012 12:39pm

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

I do agree that it's obvious gervais wrote this show cynically ...however the guy complaining clearly hasn't seen the show

Agreed. It was telling that Channel 4 billed 'Derek' as a 'comedy-drama', as if to forewarn the audience that it wouldn't be one big belly laugh.

That said, it was good to see Gervais actually giving the characters emotion and depth like 'The Office'. And I wouldn't say Pilkington was 'acting', simply his 'An Idiot Abroad' schtick with comedy hair (his own?)

Giruilla · 17-04-2012 7:14pm

Wow that was cringe worthy... why on earth is he still doing this mockumentary schtick!!

jack presley · 17-04-2012 7:16pm

Giruilla wrote: »

Wow that was cringe worthy... why on earth is he still doing this mockumentary schtick!!

one trick pony

humanji · 17-04-2012 8:02pm

I just watched this now and thought it was pretty good. The ending was really well done. There were a few times that were trying too hard to be funny(

like falling in the pond

), but they don't last too long and are easily ignored.

For the most part, it feels more natural than his other shows. Probably because it's not desperately trying to be funny all the time, and lets the characters come across as more sympathetic and real.

ArmaniJeanss · 17-04-2012 10:17pm

Just watched this now not knowing what to expect.
A really enjoyable and moving 25 minutes TV, the second half in particular was an absolute gem.

BaZmO* · 17-04-2012 11:02pm

humanji wrote: »

For the most part, it feels more natural than his other shows. Probably because it's not desperately trying to be funny all the time, and lets the characters come across as more sympathetic and real.

More natural than The Office? Gerrup outta that!!

jcf · 20-04-2012 8:47pm

Karl Pilkington is the best part of the show

Basq · 09-05-2012 11:11am

No suprise but..

Ricky Gervais's controversial comedy Derek has been given a full series commission by Channel 4.

Based around the character of Derek Noakes (Gervais), the sitcom follows a "group of outsiders" who work at a retirement home. It stars Gervais's friend and Idiot Abroad star Karl Pilkington as the home's caretaker Dougie.

Noakes is a middle-aged "tender, innocent man", who has a passion for YouTube, Deal or No Deal and animals. The pilot episode focussed on Noake's relationship with care home worker Hannah (Kerry Godliman) and the death of one of the home's residents.

Derek will air a full series in 2013.

The series was considered controversial by some viewers, who claimed that despite Gervais's insistence otherwise, the Noakes character was mocking the disabled.

Source: DS

Looking forward to more.. I really liked it!

Penn · 09-05-2012 11:32am

Basq wrote: »

No suprise but..

Source: DS

Looking forward to more.. I really liked it!

I actually liked it too, apart from Derek falling in the pond then running naked. Hopefully a full series will help pace it out a bit more and resolve the need for stuff like that in each episode.

jcsoulinger · 17-05-2012 6:17pm

Delighted to see this got the go ahead. I think it will give a realistic account of someone trying to get through life with this condition. I would find the likes of Forest Gump allot more objectionable than what Gervais is doing here.