What do others think of the programme 'Derick' . M... - Headway
What do others think of the programme 'Derick' . My OH who suffered a TBI hates it -finding it patronising, insulting and insensitive!!
totally agree, but expect nothing more from that alleged comedian
totally agree-his 'comedy' is like watching paint dry!
Not watched it avoid those kind of things, not worthy of airtime
I saw a small bit of it and couldn't work it out what is about is it supposed to be funny or serious as it seems to be neither ?
It's supposed to be an attempt at raising the status of people with learning difficulties by challenging the often patronising assumptions about them. Derek, who has an unspecified disability (poss. autism......lower end of spectrum) works as a volunteer at the retirement home.
Gervais has obviously studied mannerisms associated with autism as he's spot-on in characterising the repetitive habits and posture which are so typical of people with severe special needs. His characterisation of Derek portrays a worthwhile, caring and sensitive person who (although in very child-like terms) could teach us a lot about kindness and basic humanity and proves his worth as an integral figure in his place of work.
My niece is severely autistic, so I suppose It's refreshing for me to see someone tackling the subject in such a positive way, and making it more palatable with added humour.
It is the opposite in our house. My husband who suffered a massive SAH and stroke thinks it is really funny and enjoys watching it, whereas I find it "uncomfortable" to watch, and although I like some of Ricky Gervais work, I find the acting in this pretty poor. Then there is the sexual content, which I find much too "near the knuckle" for my liking, and I consider myself to be pretty broad minded!!
I happen to agree, I find it disgusting very unfunny and quite rude and insulting to be honest. I don't think it should be on air!!
I like Derek and don't find it at all insulting, yes it can be insensitive but it's overall warm message is quite uplifting. If I ever end up in a care home I'd love it to be just like the one in Derek! 
Ricky Gervais is trying to pass this off as something it is'nt. In the past he has used the word 'mongs' and is not in my opinion 'trying to show the caring side of disability' he is just using it to gain laughs and a lot of money . If he made a programme and poked fun at colour/ religion -there would be outcry!
I watched a bit of it last night, not my cup of tea, couldn't really get into it. It is amazing how times and attitudes change though. I'd recently watched a few old Monty Python shows and thought that by todays standards a lot of the sketches would cause offense today (brain surgeon sketch for instance).
It set me thinking how many actors have experience of brain injury? I did find this:
squidoo.com/famous-people-a...
Never realised Gordon (Allo, Allo!) Kaye was a survivor.
Dev
What makes it patronising? Is Derek supposed to have a brain injury or something? Since my brain injury I love shows like Derek; easy watching! And I love ricki gervais!
He gets 'cheap laughs' from imitation of people with various kinds of disability. But all to our own as it would be a boring world if we all had the same opinions and taste. As i said previously this programme
was written by a comedian who used the term 'mongs' , which gives a fair insight of his 'compassionate' side
I agree with Jamiedavid and see nothing patronising in the programme. Gervais isn't portraying a head injury survivor but plays an adult with learning difficulties and he is in no way depicted as a figure of amusement..........quite the opposite. It is other, supposedly well adjusted characters who are meant to be figures of fun through their insensitive and crude behaviour, in direct contrast to Derek who is regularly seen frowning and walking away from their banter showing that despite his mental challenges, he has more moral integrity and dignity than any of the others.
It's a matter of interpretation I suppose. I watched an episode a couple of nights ago and rather than seeing his depiction as cheap imitation I see it as a very accurate portrayal of the condition with no suggestion of mockery whatsoever. In fact his quiet, tearful farewell to a dog being euthanized was so moving that we were all crying with him.
I am not a fan of Ricky Gervais(to be honest I thought he was just playing himself in The Office!)yet for some reason I like him in this-he seems to have got this role right.It is both serious and gently comedic and touching in places.The sexual content is a little startling (and I think unneccessary )at times but emphasises how dysfunctional some of the other 'normal' characters are in comparison with a man deemed to havea mental disability who displays so many admirable qualities. There will always be controversy when disability is used in a comedy setting,I feel . Yet disability has its humerous side-got me through the harshest times of my illness.
Anyone seen Thora Hird in 'Lost for Words'?Beautifully portrayed,I thought.
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