Ricky Gervais as 'Derek'

I thought it was alright, i'm pretty sure it wasn't suppose to be funny like Gervais's other stuff, i had a mixture of emotions while watching it.
 
From Peter Kay, to this...

I never got The Office so I never expected to get this, but its just.... ****

British Comedy is nothing compared to what it used to be.
 
Highlight was Derek falling into the pond before the advert break, like ColEx said though I don't think the intention was for this to be 30 minutes of nothing but laughs

It was better than Life's too Short and that's all I really wanted tbh
 
andy@moFo said:
I really liked it. Congrats Ricky, wasn't expecting that angle at all.
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This.

As far as I'm concerned it wasn't a true comedy, more like a fake drama documentary with a few funny bits in it. And in a way, documenting the life of many average UK citizen, what with the girl who is stuck in a mundane job but happy enough, simple guy who finds pleasure in the simplest things.

I thoroughly enjoyed Derek.
 
desires said:
more like a fake drama documentary with a few funny bits in it.
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Which is exactly what The Office was.
When it was first aired the adverts on the TV & media just said it was a 'fly on the wall in the day to day running of an average office'.
Since me and the wife watched these type of documentaries we tuned in and kept looking at each other.
It was 10 minutes before I thought I recognised the Manager, hit the internet and realised it was the stand up comedian out of Not The 11 O'Clock News (!!!).
The following day work mates were asking me if I saw that weird documentary with the weird Manager and then I explained.
 
This is not an out-and-out comedy. It was lovely. In fact it could have done without the slapstick bits and concentrated on being a thoughtful character piece, which it was. It could drop the fake documentary angle too, Derek and Dougie are strong enough characters for it. And I found myself really connecting with Hannah, particularly after she headbutted the woman.

Look at this ridiculous pre-reactionary article from a couple of days ago and compare it to how Derek actually is. People just want to hate Ricky Gervais, but this guy's just come across as an idiot. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/t...gervais-really-ought-to-lay-off-the-disabled/

Would love to see more of this.
 
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. Based on the preview material I didn't think it was going to be that great, looked like it was going to be one long Little Britain style sketch and it just wasn't at all.

It was almost emotional, not sure if it was down to the script/acting or for the always excellent music by Ludovico Einaudi which ran pretty much throughout.
 
I have to say I take back my initial presumptions of this being a 'point and laugh' comedy.

Some moments were predictable rehashes of the awkward, cringeworthy comedy we all expect from Gervais, yet others were quite touching, amnd heart warming, which made Derek a quite believable character .

If only he didn't pull the lockjawed, gurning face throughout then I don't think I'd have any problems with it - it's not ground breaking comedy-drama that I'll make special effort to view, but I'll add it to my 4OD playlist for casual viewing :)

I really enjoyed the piano score running throughout - reminded me of some of the more poignant music from 'This is England'.
 
Dimple said:
Which is exactly what The Office was.
When it was first aired the adverts on the TV & media just said it was a 'fly on the wall in the day to day running of an average office'.
Since me and the wife watched these type of documentaries we tuned in and kept looking at each other.
It was 10 minutes before I thought I recognised the Manager, hit the internet and realised it was the stand up comedian out of Not The 11 O'Clock News (!!!).
The following day work mates were asking me if I saw that weird documentary with the weird Manager and then I explained.
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Office was always a bit more on the surreal side of real life though, it was unlikely to be true; Derek however, imo, felt like Gervais was trying to create a completely real world, something that could be believed as a factual documentary if Ricky wasn't a known icon.

I also think the headbutt was a metaphor. I think it was an expression of what us normal folk just wish we could do sometimes to scum and nasty people who don't deserve the feet they walk on.
 
I did laugh when he dipped the worm in the pond on both ends to give it a drink because he didn't know what end the head was on.

Other than that i liked it, It is not your normal comedy and IMO you have to be a fan of his to appreciate it.
 
I hate the fact that everything he does now is in the 'fly on the wall' or The Office style. It's just so old now. The Office was brilliant yes, but seeing the same format over and over is just not funny any more. The slight glares at the camera etc, it's all too predictable. I didn't find this one funny whatsoever
 
Didn't really get into it to be honest. Not saying it was terrible, but just "meh" and unmemorable.
 
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