Ricky Gervais ‘Humanity’ and trans

Gervais's policy has always been to cast disabled actors in disabled roles. I believe that was a major reason why he chose not to have the character be autistic or whatever if I remember an interview he gave.

@CaptainKirk - of course he only said that after complaints came in. You can't respond to criticism before the criticism has occurred!

Setting aside the 'Derek' issue, which I personally think was about the condescending attitude towards adults with learning difficulties, and well played by Gervais, he obviously has known someone in this situation, I do think Humanity is a worthwhile look.

It does have its faults.

I didn't really "get" Derek when I watched it, but I didn't find it offensive.

Obviously I'm only one person so my opinion isn't the most important (!), but if I was thinking of an example of a NT person's interpretation of someone with autistic traits (yet who they claim isn't autistic) that I find offensive, my go-to would be sheldon cooper. He really grates on me, yet some autistic people love him?!
Derek is supposed to be a nice guy who's quite naive, isn't he?

Thank you. I'm a bit confused about that, but never mind.

Here are some "best bits" m.youtube.com/watch?v=gi-xZ2yr0tc

No, Frank Spencer was a slapstick clumsy person.
Derek is about a bunch of people in a care home.

It's this: m.youtube.com/watch?v=KL82I32hG5o

Is Derek a bit like Frank Spencer? For those of us old enough to remember...

Most of the humour comes from the mocking of autistic trait, but there is some "fun poking" at people with dementia too, to make the show really funny.

He only said that after complaints came in. The show its self depicts Derek as the caretakers mate who clearly has a learning disability.

Yeah, have you actually seen the show?

I thought Derek was disabled too and I found the show to be in poor taste as a result of humour derived from Derek's behaviour. I have DCs with learning difficulties and ASD and while they can be very funny, an NT actor mocking this seemed pretty low.

Ironically, given Gervais' stance on self-ID, he has apparently said that Derek doesn't have learning difficulties or autism, despite the way it appears to others:

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-12-04/ricky-gervais-derek-is-the-first-proper-hero-i-have-playedd*//*

Yet that's how the character comes across, and I'm sure lots of people who have someone with learning difficulties or autism in their life will see the similarities, especially since we know how Gervais presents normally and which behaviours he's chosen to adopt for the role of Derek. I'm not sure saying 'oh, he's not disabled, that's just his personality - I created him so I should know' is sufficient to self-ID as not mocking disabled people.

Derek wasn't a disabled character.
Yeah, have you actually seen the show?

@CaptainKirk: Derek wasn't a disabled character.

However, it is always well observed. I don't think he is very empathetic- he sees the absurdity of the world, rather than the pain of people's situations.

YY pickleme - you've hit the heart of it I think.

His humour is extremely cruel, which I struggle with. However, it is always well observed. I don't think he is very empathetic- he sees the absurdity of the world, rather than the pain of people's situations.

Hasn't he given prominent roles to disabled actors?
Yes his BBC shows have followed BBC diversity guidelines.

In what way is he a disabilist twat?? Hasn't he given prominent roles to disabled actors?

I don’t understand your post, butterfly.

RG is a comedian. That’s his job. Whether you personally don’t find him funny doesn’t alter the fact that he’s a comedian

Would not could not describe RG as a comedian. A chimp called Bobo yes most definitely!

I've never liked his anti-religion stuff, but I do think he can be funny and sharp. Extras in particular is funny, though I think it errs on mocking disability at times, and Derek is apparently even worse for that.

It is wonderful to see a comedian doing what they should be doing - poking fun at the ridiculous mores of society and challenge political correctness when it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Far too many so-called comedians these days are lazy, non-thinking, so left-wing and right-on that they're up their own arses, and time and again they just make fun of the same tired old easy targets. I can't listen to Radio 4 comedy anymore, it is unspeakably tedious and unfunny.

Gervais is being true to his beliefs and principles, and refusing to jump on the bandwagon. I admire that.

Of course he's not disablist. Both The Office and Extras are full of scenes that mock disablist behaviour. Both also feature disabled characters played by disabled people

Remember Derek?
That entire show?

I'm disappointed that RG or no other large following (blue star) person has shared the petition. Even those who are very 'on side'.

Graham Lineham (Father Ted writer and very funny man with a big presence on Twitter) gets it too and has publicly supported Posey Parker who is being investigated by West Yorks police following complaints by TRAs about her tweets.

I saw this show last year with DH (massive fan) and the Bruce Jenner stuff went down amazingly with the crowd. Very well observed and I was surprised it didn't get more attention during the tour. This was still when the media were all, "oh Caitlin, so brave, wah wah wah", so it was evern more cutting at the time. Maybe that just shows how much this cultish trans thing has ramped up over the last 12-18 months.

He's obviously a very logical, evidence-based person- as the whole trans concept is completely illogical it stands to reason he'd see it as excellent material.

I really respect Gervais for his animal rights work and his anti-religion, pro-science stances.

Has he got any back lash off this? I haven’t seen much on twitter- unless I’ve missed it. I’d be shocked if he did to be honest, TRAs might have no hesitation in launching on (female...) TERFs on SM, but Gervais is well known for taking no prisoners with his debating style.

Of course he's not disablist. Both The Office and Extras are full of scenes that mock disablist behaviour. Both also feature disabled characters played by disabled people. Gervaise is one of the few comedians who really gets it I think.