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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not 'get' Ricky Gervais?

17 replies

AnneNonimous · 01/02/2013 12:40

Does everyone else find him funny? I've just seen an advert for his new show 'Derek' and I think it looks shite. I never 'got' the office, and I just haven't found him funny in anything he's been in. He seems sneery and smug.

My friend made me watch him last year and she was in hysterics. Am I completely missing something?!?!

OP posts:

Nancy66 · 01/02/2013 12:42

The Office was very funny. I also liked Extras.

Derek is not so good.

teaandbourbons · 01/02/2013 12:43

I think you either love him or hate him. I really liked Derek but DH hated it. He never "got" The Office either, while I thought it was brilliant!

YorkshireDeb · 01/02/2013 12:46

I've never really liked him but my dp forced me to watch Derek & I actually loved it! It is funny - but also strangely beautiful & touching. I have sobbed my heart out watching it. The adverts really don't do it justice. X

Lottapianos · 01/02/2013 12:46

I loved The Office. I thought Extras was ok but wildly, ridiculously over rated. I thought the pilot of Derek was sentimental patronising trash. I have seen 2 of his stand up shows and thought there were clever bits but mostly a load of arrogant swill. I think the man himself is probably a vain self satisfied Muppet. So YANBU!

Sugarice · 01/02/2013 12:48

Ricky Gervais began to believe his own publicity after his Office success and thought he could do anything and make it funny.

His Derek show is appallingly unfunny and shite.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 01/02/2013 12:51

I loved The Office, thought Extras was good but can't stand anything else he's done. In The Office, although he was the main character, the whole cast made it great tv but everything he does now seems to be about him in a really egotistical way.

I don't know if I've explained it very well. I'm thinking of Idiot Abroad, which I started off enjoying but found it was spoiled by Gervaise' constant high pitched hysterical laughing. The show, on it's own, with Karl Pilkington was funny enough - it just didn't need the set up phone calls and meetings, it was just too 'look at me, aren't I hilarious'.

PeggyCarter · 01/02/2013 12:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DioneTheDiabolist · 01/02/2013 12:55

I loved The Office.
I liked Extras.
Not a fan of his stand up.

But Derek is brilliant, thought provoking, touching television. I agree Yorkshire, the ads do it no justice. It's not really a comedy, but I think it is the best thing he has done to date.

Cortana · 01/02/2013 13:10

I found Derek surprisingly touching. I think if you've just seen the advert you may not get a proper view of it.

The scene with the council worker asking Derek if he wanted testing for Autism.

"?Is he handicapped?? asks a council inspector, looking round the care home with a view to closing it down.

?Yeah. He?s too kind for his own good,? the care-home manager Hannah snaps back. Then, when he?s asked if he?d agree to be tested for autism, Derek conducts a guileless catechism. ?If I am ?tistic, will I die?.? No, he?s told. ?So will that change me in any way, would I be the same person?? he asks. ?Yes,? Hannah reassures him. ?Don?t worry about it then,? says Derek nonchalantly." (taken from the Guardian)

I could have applauded.

I loved Dougie too, telling the council worker he had no idea how hard the care workers worked.

The character who is seen drinking and taking advantage of Dougie and Derek's good nature also raises some important issues.

AmberSocks · 01/02/2013 13:14

not seen derek but i love the office and extras,i totally get him and i love his funny laugh.

AmberSocks · 01/02/2013 13:15

i woudnt put miranda and ricky gervais in the same box.....miranda is more like my family kind of comedy(shit)

KirstyoffEastenders · 01/02/2013 13:15

I'm a fan of everything he's done apart from the films and Derek. He can't act, he can play himself and that's it. He's got a very 'american' sentimental BS side which ruined Cemetary Junction and Derek, for me. I watched the pilot for Derek and just thought, is everyone around him too scared/up his arse to tell him he's a shit actor? It's cringeworthy.

willyoulistentome · 01/02/2013 13:16

I quite liked the Office, but that was the first time I came accross him. I think it went to his head. He only has one character and that's 'Ricky Gervais'. Daved Brent is the same as the bloke in Extras, is the same as every other time I have seen RG in anything.

I just want to turn over any time I see him on TV nowadays.

Sneezingwakesthebaby · 01/02/2013 13:28

I can't tell if Derek is supposed to be funny like the office and extras or if its meant to be more serious. I mean, they advertise it like a comedy but its actually really touching and the only funny bit was the bit off the advert (egg with hair hahahaha).

FeckOffCup · 01/02/2013 13:31

YANBU i dislike Ricky Gervais and have never found him funny, he comes across as very arrogant whenever I've seen him interviewed.

DioneTheDiabolist · 01/02/2013 13:31

Derek is billed as a comedy drama unlike Extras and The Office which are simple comedies.

babyfirefly1980 · 01/02/2013 13:34

Derek isn't supposed to be laugh out loud....Ricky has said it's about kindness, loved the first episode, Karl was great laying into the council worker.

I generally like his stuff as a whole though.

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