Derek

Derek is a comedy drama, about an odd but selfless worker at a care home played by Ricky Gervais, and the rest of his friends who work there.

I admit the first time I watched the pilot for Derek, I didn't think it was that great. I didn't laugh that much and I thought it was boring. However, watching it a second time, and watching the first 2 episodes, I think its fantastic. Like Gervais' masterpiece the Office, its something you have to watch more than once to "get", but once you do, its fantastic. The funny parts truly made me laugh out loud (very loud I may add) and its brilliant as a drama. The characters are funny, believable and likable. The character of Derek's disability is treated in a way that is funny, but still respectful. Karl Pilkington is hilarious (and especially brilliant at the end of the second episode). The episodes are very heartwarming, and each so far has given me a weird feeling of both happiness and sadness at the end.

Its not a blatant laugh out loud comedy like I and many may have expected, but so far its a fantastic comedy drama with a lot to say about whats really important in life: friendship (not trying to sound too soppy).

Definitely give it a chance, and you will be rewarded :)

Ricky Gervais is a comic genius the likes of which we haven't seen in decades. His comedy is somehow both universal yet specific, appealing to a worldwide audience yet never losing touch of his English heritage. But enough about that, this is about something more important.... Derek....

The Office was a brilliantly clever comedy, Extras was even better, Life's Too Short was criminally underrated and wasn't given a chance to find it's feet, An Idiot Abroad is a masterful use of a genuinely interesting and captivating idiot and then there's Derek....

Derek is a masterpiece. I have to qualms about stating that. In future years, maybe even five or ten years down the track, Derek will be the sitcom that all other sitcoms are compared to. The sitcom formula of a studio audience and general dumb jokes is already all but dead, and Derek is the nail in the coffin of such shows. In fact, it is the inevitable fresh step forward for sitcoms in general.

Derek lets go of the usual sitcom laughs and replaces them with real life giggles. Sometimes you're not even sure why you're smiling, then you realise it's because of the situation you're watching. Even worse, sometimes you don't even realise you're smiling.

But it's the emotion of Derek that sets it apart from other sitcoms. It's not lame, superficial, meaningless emotion either, it's real emotion, due in no small part to the brilliant supporting cast. In almost every episode I've watched so far I've gotten teary. And thats exactly where the future is for sitcoms. Real emotion. People are getting sick of cheap laughs and emotionless humor. The best comedy comes from tragedy, always has and always will. It's a shame it's taken TV 60 years to realise that. Derek, along with a select few other shows, may very well be the savior of the sitcom. Because if I the future of sitcoms is Two And A Half Men then I might as well kill myself now.

I am a British born cynic and lover of biting comedy and satire, that is what I love and expect from Misters Gervaise and Pilkington and I must admit that the first episode left me feeling less than impressed. I kept waiting for a knowing wink,the shoe to drop, everything seemed so heartfelt and schmaltzy, surely there was a punch line?

Giving in to sincerity and allowing ourselves to be emotionally exposed in life is where the magic can happen, like falling in love we have to lower our guard and put our cynicism behind us. Derek wears it's heart on its sleeve and if you are brave enough to watch with your heart you will be richly rewarded.

I cannot speak higher of this series. It has made me laugh with unforgettable scenes and lines, and it has broken my heart with biting reminders of our society, mortality and reflections of our selfish natures.

I cannot thank Gervais enough for such a beautiful and poignant character.

A very pure and indomitable representation of the only people in our world that will ever know altruism.

Highly recommended for the highest highs and teary lows.

Jack

I'm a 48 year old guy who was dragged up on a council estate where men didn't cry or show their emotions.

On watching this amazing, funny, heartfelt show I must of cried ten times, not teary but actually blubbed. This is the most touching piece of art I have ever watched.

On the flip side I also laughed until I nearly wet myself, a beautifully observed piece of life and Ricky should be proud of the best TV I have ever seen

10 out of 10 does not do this justice.

Edit * I binged the whole series again this weekend ,still cried at parts and laughed as much as ever ,this gets better with age , it's innocence is lost nowadays ,2025 is not 2020 sadly ,if I could rate this 100 I would.