Ricky Gervais ‘Humanity’ and trans

[BRHaunton]

Not really a fan but DS likes him so we’ve just sat and watched his new stand up show on Netflix.

I was pulling this face

He certainly isn’t pulling any punches on the subject of dead naming, being forced to believe ‘transwomen are women’ or Caitlin Jenner etc.

He’s got to be getting a lot of abuse for that surely?!

[TulipsInAJug]

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.

[butterfly56]

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

[SuburbanRhonda]

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

[Aristaeus76]

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

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

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

[picklemepopcorn]

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.

[FaithHopeCharityDesperation]

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.

[Aristaeus76]

@CaptainKirk: Derek wasn't a disabled character.

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

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

[LonginesPrime]

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.

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

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

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

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.

[picklemepopcorn]

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

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

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

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

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

[picklemepopcorn]

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

[BeyondDeadlySiren]

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?

[Elendon]

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.

[Aristaeus76]

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!

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

I'm not a big bang theory fan, but Mr Bean is a good example, a whole lot of people with autism (and without) love the character.
The difference is these characters are not portrayed mockingly, while Derek is. These characters tend to have the last laugh, and a caring side, while Derek the butt of most jokes and is uncaring in most cases.
Mr Bean is also incredible intelligent even though he doesn't follow societal rules.
It's they way they are portrayed, and derek, not just the character but the whole show comes across as mocking people with disabilities.
Saying Derek isn't disabled is exactly like when they used to say the minstrels weren't offensive caricatures of black people.

[Elendon]

Well apparently my 16 year old autistic son has been ruled not disabled by DWP.

I have, naturally, appealed the decision.

Now, I don't think Derek does mock people with disabilities. What it does do is mock the attitudes towards people with disabilities - think bless!- under current government guidelines Derek would be deemed suitable for work and not disabled.

[DrumDrum]

I doubt Ricky will ever take it back. Humour is often dark, it’s almost like it allows us to see a side of ourselves that we wish wasn’t there. Kind of like how in the dark old days the only person who could ever tell the king or queen the truth was the court jester. There is also much worse out there. My friend showed me a YouTuber called gavin mcinnes interviewing someone who was transitioning where he told his guest that he could at least have worn a wig and trans people were showing a distinct lack of effort and said he/she looked like a cop who fixed their own car on Halloween m.youtube.com/watch?t=545s&v=EIxDsbHttx8 don’t click if you are easily offended. I think gavins guest is no longer claiming to be a woman by the way.

[picklemepopcorn]

The only snippet I saw was that below, and it didn't seem mocking or offensive. It reminded me of the film about the football supporter whose mum was a cleaner at a university, and his extreme naivety allowing him to do things typical people wouldn't dream of. There were elements of Derek's portrayal that grated, but it didn't seem unsympathetic as such.

[CaptainKirkssparetupee]

under current government guidelines Derek would be deemed suitable for work and not disabled.

If only the show was about this, or highlight this in any way it would certainly have sat better in my view...
It's such a shame it didn't.

[theaveragewife]

I didn’t think Derek was the Butt of jokes, he came across as a wonderful caring character, some of the episodes were heartbreaking because they highlighted the greedy narcissistic ‘nt’ (If you like) people and the difference between then and Derek.

I also liked the fact it wasn’t pointed out that he had a disability, because that is often the least important thing about a person with a disability - yet it is the way they are often introduced.