Derek

[oobster]

I really liked the pilot episode but can't say I 'enjoyed' the episode last night, particularly the new character that always seems to be holding a can of lager.

[Halb]

Bacardi said:

So I don't get it. What next? Dying of cancer, laughing with Spina bifida? I like black humour, but there is something uncomfortable about the characters in this, I'm not laughing with them and feel no need at all to laugh at them... so wonder what the point is?

As already said, it's not a sitcom, it's a comedy drama, like Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
The end of Extras (and Ricky's talk show with Merchant and Pilkington) tend to verge into social commentary. Which is where Derek might be heading.

[Mastodon2]

I watched it last night with no expectations, but found it to be one of the most boring programs I've ever watched. That said, I've previously found Gervais about as funny as stepping on a rusty nail, so maybe I should not have been surprised.

[muon]

I like Gervais and I love Pilkington. The Office was an amazing show and I could watch it all day. David Brent is a quality character and it is definitely Gervais' flagship. His standup is also brilliant if you've not seen it.

I also really enjoyed An Idiot Abroad.

I just can't bring myself to watch Derek. I've heard too many bad things and I don't want to tarnish how I think of the pair of them (and Steven Merchant if he's involved in this at all).

I didn't like Extras much, but this clip is brilliant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lugUd7fIx8Q

Classic.

[kev b]

I thought I was the only person who thought Ricky Gervais wasn't funny so I'm relieved to find I'm not alone.
Something about him makes me think he might not be a nice person in real life as well. It might be that slightly sneering constipated expression or that he takes cheap shots at easy targets, anyhow I don't like him, so he'll just have to live with it.

[Twincam16]

kev b said:

I thought I was the only person who thought Ricky Gervais wasn't funny so I'm relieved to find I'm not alone.
Something about him makes me think he might not be a nice person in real life as well. It might be that slightly sneering constipated expression or that he takes cheap shots at easy targets, anyhow I don't like him, so he'll just have to live with it.

That's the impression I've always had of him. I liked The Office, at least in part because at the time I thought David Brent was a comedy character. In retrospect I realise it was just Ricky Gervais being himself. Extras wasn't bad either, mainly because the show was always stolen by the guest star.

What annoys me most about Ricky Gervais, though, is that he's paved the way for genuinely obnoxious, objectionable people to think there's something hilarious about being incredibly bigoted in public. It's almost as though Gervais knows he's objectionable, and has realised that if he claims everything he says and does is 'ironic', it's somehow no longer objectionable.

I've noticed a lot more people acting like this ever since he became a public figure.

[Chimune]

Bacardi said:

But now we are being asked to find humour in what? People with sexual one track minds, people with strange balding patterns, people with 'learning difficulties'? If someone wants to make a show highlighting these issues, then fine, but in real life they are nothing much to laugh about.

So I don't get it. What next? Dying of cancer, laughing with Spina bifida? I like black humour, but there is something uncomfortable about the characters in this, I'm not laughing with them and feel no need at all to laugh at them... so wonder what the point is?

Dont visit 'The Undateables' thread then.

[stephen300o]

kev b said:

I thought I was the only person who thought Ricky Gervais wasn't funny so I'm relieved to find I'm not alone.
Something about him makes me think he might not be a nice person in real life as well. It might be that slightly sneering constipated expression or that he takes cheap shots at easy targets, anyhow I don't like him, so he'll just have to live with it.

Easy to accept the image he project for comic effect as the real deal, but I don't feel he's that bad a bloke.
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/ricky-gerv...

[anonymous-user]

Ricky isn't as funny or good at writing without Stephen.
This wasn't as good as The Office or Extras which both had Smerch. An idiot abroad 1 and 2 were both better than 3. 3 didn't have Smerch.

[Twincam16]

stephen300o said:

kev b said:

I thought I was the only person who thought Ricky Gervais wasn't funny so I'm relieved to find I'm not alone.
Something about him makes me think he might not be a nice person in real life as well. It might be that slightly sneering constipated expression or that he takes cheap shots at easy targets, anyhow I don't like him, so he'll just have to live with it.

Easy to accept the image he project for comic effect as the real deal, but I don't feel he's that bad a bloke.
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/ricky-gerv...

Maybe, but try finding a sleb who doesn't support loads of charities these days.

[muon]

Anyone who doesn’t rate The Office, An Idiot Abroad or Ricky’s stand up, are you American?

[stephen300o]

Twincam16 said:

stephen300o said:

kev b said:

I thought I was the only person who thought Ricky Gervais wasn't funny so I'm relieved to find I'm not alone.
Something about him makes me think he might not be a nice person in real life as well. It might be that slightly sneering constipated expression or that he takes cheap shots at easy targets, anyhow I don't like him, so he'll just have to live with it.

Easy to accept the image he project for comic effect as the real deal, but I don't feel he's that bad a bloke.
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/ricky-gerv...

Maybe, but try finding a sleb who doesn't support loads of charities these days.

Jeremy Clarkson..

[Twincam16]

stephen300o said:

Twincam16 said:

stephen300o said:

kev b said:

I thought I was the only person who thought Ricky Gervais wasn't funny so I'm relieved to find I'm not alone.
Something about him makes me think he might not be a nice person in real life as well. It might be that slightly sneering constipated expression or that he takes cheap shots at easy targets, anyhow I don't like him, so he'll just have to live with it.

Easy to accept the image he project for comic effect as the real deal, but I don't feel he's that bad a bloke.
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/ricky-gerv...

Maybe, but try finding a sleb who doesn't support loads of charities these days.

Jeremy Clarkson..

Help for Heroes, Keep Britain Tidy (yes, really), Headley Court Military Hospital...

[GALLARDOGUY]

PSBuckshot said:

Ricky isn't as funny or good at writing without Stephen.
This wasn't as good as The Office or Extras which both had Smerch. An idiot abroad 1 and 2 were both better than 3. 3 didn't have Smerch.

Have they fallen out?

[james_gt3rs]

PSBuckshot said:

Ricky isn't as funny or good at writing without Stephen.
This wasn't as good as The Office or Extras which both had Smerch. An idiot abroad 1 and 2 were both better than 3. 3 didn't have Smerch.

Exactly! Steve must have a lot more influence behind the scenes than people realise.

[Halb]

Twincam16 said:

That's the impression I've always had of him. I liked The Office, at least in part because at the time I thought David Brent was a comedy character. In retrospect I realise it was just Ricky Gervais being himself. Extras wasn't bad either, mainly because the show was always stolen by the guest star.
What annoys me most about Ricky Gervais, though, is that he's paved the way for genuinely obnoxious, objectionable people to think there's something hilarious about being incredibly bigoted in public. It's almost as though Gervais knows he's objectionable, and has realised that if he claims everything he says and does is 'ironic', it's somehow no longer objectionable.
I've noticed a lot more people acting like this ever since he became a public figure.

I think that, if it is indeed is the case, is more of a trend of a reaction against the PC/HSA years of the past 20 odd years.


I do think the best of Extras (the last scene, like the Office) when it got serious was the scene stealer for me.

[poing]

Hated the Office and didn't find it very funny, especially didn't like Ricky G in it.

Derek, however, is total genius. I wasn't sure it was going to be good because the previous single episode was so good but this so far was better than expected. Find myself getting drawn in and can't wait for next week. Very well written and performed in my eyes.

[Randy Winkman]

I thought it was great. The 2 scenes with Karl Pilkington ranting at the inspector were superb. And I speak as a civil servant of 28 years standing.

[0000]

I didn't like it, I'm not a Gervais fan though.

An Idiot Abroad is utter genius, marred by moments of David Brent making an appearance.

[Bacardi]

Chimune said:

Dont visit 'The Undateables' thread then.

Why, is 'The Undateables' another 'comedy' drama?

I like self effacing humour, I'm a failure and retarded, happy to admit it.

But still uncomfortable with mocking the afflicted for 'comedy'. There but for the grace of god go I etc.....

Edited by Bacardi on Friday 1st February 01:19