Quizzes & Puzzles14 mins ago
Derek On Channel 4
The new series by Ricky Gervais has come in for a lot of criticism in the media for being crass and insulting to people with learning difficulties, and most of the criticism is probably deserved.
But its biggest problem is that it is just not funny ! Fawlty Towers made fun of deaf people, old people and foreigners but it was very funny.
Does anyone think that we will all still be watching "Derek" in 30 years time ?
All this is such a pity as "The Office" was so good. Has success gone to Gervais's head ?
But its biggest problem is that it is just not funny ! Fawlty Towers made fun of deaf people, old people and foreigners but it was very funny.
Does anyone think that we will all still be watching "Derek" in 30 years time ?
All this is such a pity as "The Office" was so good. Has success gone to Gervais's head ?
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If Fawlty Towers was being made today it would not be allowed to make fun of 'deaf people, old people and foreigners'.
Haven't seen 'Derek' as it does look rubbish but Gervais defends his stuff by arguing 'why should minority groups be excluded from comedies'. I would say fair enough but then a real actor with such difficulties should play the role as it can be deemed offensive. This is a bit of a return to white people playing ethnic characters in the 70's.
Haven't seen 'Derek' as it does look rubbish but Gervais defends his stuff by arguing 'why should minority groups be excluded from comedies'. I would say fair enough but then a real actor with such difficulties should play the role as it can be deemed offensive. This is a bit of a return to white people playing ethnic characters in the 70's.
I think it's great. It's not laugh out loud comedy. They do deal with serious issues, like in the last series when Dereks friend in the home passed away. It was actually quite sad.
Just because someone has learning difficulties it doesn't mean they don't do or say amusing things. It's more a case of laughing with them than at them.
Just because someone has learning difficulties it doesn't mean they don't do or say amusing things. It's more a case of laughing with them than at them.
But when the jury does come back in, I wouldn't mind betting that the Judge will have to get his Black Cap out of storage.
Anyway, what particular "serious issues" were aired this week ? Was it the serious issue of why the nursing home seems to need a drunk, rude, and seriously offensive tramp hanging about, for no discernible reason other than to advertise a brand of strong lager ? Or was it the serious issue of sending this odious, distinctly un-funny character out on the streets, ostensibly to collect signatures on a petition to save the nursing home, offending everybody in the process ?
It would seem to me that the only serious issue being addressed here is how to make an over-rated, over-praised comedian even richer than he already is.
Still, it could have been worse...it might have had a Miranda Hart in the cast.
Miranda Hart ? Am I missing something there ?
Anyway, what particular "serious issues" were aired this week ? Was it the serious issue of why the nursing home seems to need a drunk, rude, and seriously offensive tramp hanging about, for no discernible reason other than to advertise a brand of strong lager ? Or was it the serious issue of sending this odious, distinctly un-funny character out on the streets, ostensibly to collect signatures on a petition to save the nursing home, offending everybody in the process ?
It would seem to me that the only serious issue being addressed here is how to make an over-rated, over-praised comedian even richer than he already is.
Still, it could have been worse...it might have had a Miranda Hart in the cast.
Miranda Hart ? Am I missing something there ?
Its all such a pity as Gervias clearly has talent.
The Office was groundbreaking in the same way that the Royal Family was. Extras had some really good moments, although a good editor would have trimmed the shows by 10 mins or so. But I guess you need to be brave Editor if you are dealing with Gervais.
But he seems to have lost his way. His appearances on the Golden Globes were just embarrassing. Even his boastful and arrogant behavior would be forgiven if his material was any good. But there is a distinct noise of bottom of the barrel scraping these days.
The Office was groundbreaking in the same way that the Royal Family was. Extras had some really good moments, although a good editor would have trimmed the shows by 10 mins or so. But I guess you need to be brave Editor if you are dealing with Gervais.
But he seems to have lost his way. His appearances on the Golden Globes were just embarrassing. Even his boastful and arrogant behavior would be forgiven if his material was any good. But there is a distinct noise of bottom of the barrel scraping these days.
Watched the pilot and the first episode and thought it was brilliant. One of the best things I have seen for a very long time.
As Ricky Gervais said its NOT a comedy, its a heart warming drama with some funny bits.
There was some really sad/poignant moments that tug at your heart strings followed by things that made me laugh out loud, Brilliantly scripted.
I don't think its making fun of anyone or insulting to anyone with learning difficulties, in fact I think its shows (Derek) to be a lovely, kind genuine person.
Can't wait for the next episode.
As Ricky Gervais said its NOT a comedy, its a heart warming drama with some funny bits.
There was some really sad/poignant moments that tug at your heart strings followed by things that made me laugh out loud, Brilliantly scripted.
I don't think its making fun of anyone or insulting to anyone with learning difficulties, in fact I think its shows (Derek) to be a lovely, kind genuine person.
Can't wait for the next episode.
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