Derek - Pilot Page 13

Quote: Lee Henman @ April 16 2012, 4:10 PM BST

If you listen to some of the old XFM shows, Karl isn't quite as thick as he is in the later podcasts, so I'm sure he plays up a bit for the show.

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Yep. They even re-have (if that makes sense) conversations they've had in the past. No one's suggesting that Karl is some retarded subhuman. He retells a story just like anyone else would in front of their friends. But he's basically genuine. And in no way has Ricky been writing him as a character for the last 10 years. That idea is absurd.

Quote: zooo @ April 16 2012, 4:13 PM BST

Yep. They even re-have (if that makes sense) conversations they've had in the past. No one's suggesting that Karl is some retarded subhuman. He retells a story just like anyone else would in front of their friends. But he's basically genuine. And in no way has Ricky been writing him as a character for the last 10 years. That idea is absurd.

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Oh don't think that I think Ricky has been writing for Karl, it's more likely Karl is one of Ricky's writer - the Golden Globes a couple years ago - Ricky's Lost conclusion joke had Karl stamped all over it. I just Karl plays a character he invented - both Steve Merchant and Ricky Gervais started out on the open mic circuit - I've always wandered if Karl did too - but it's more likely Karl developed an exagerrated version of himself when he realised he could make money out of it. At least that's what I suspect.

Well, I find that preposterous. But we are all allowed our own theories I suppose!

I always thought Karl seemed a nice ordinary bloke on the travel program.

Quote: sootyj @ April 16 2012, 4:36 PM BST

I always thought Karl seemed a nice ordinary bloke on the travel program.

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With a head like a f**king orange.

Quote: Lee Henman @ April 16 2012, 3:49 PM BST

Interesting article here where a journalist with an autistic son slams the show for taking the piss. The readers' comments sum it up I think...top-rated comment with 840 likes is

"Personally, I loved Derek. I thought that the show focused more on the way old people are treated in Britain than people with "apparent" disabilities. The character of Derek was never supposed to be disabled, just perhaps a little slower than the norm. He was awkward, rather dim and enjoyed the simple things in life. None of that means he's mentally handicapped. The character showed no signs of autism, down's syndrome or any other mental problems. People just love bashing Ricky Gervais because he's outspoken and quite old-fashioned. Yes, he's made mistakes in the past, but Derek certainly isn't one. I think it was a tremendous piece of television and I wish whole-heartedly that it's made into a full series."

For your average bandwagon-jumping reactionary Mail reader that's quite something.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2130277/Ricky-Gervais-new-comedy-Derek-criticised.html

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That's a wonderful article and what a horrible comment.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 16 2012, 4:42 PM BST

With a head like a f**king orange.

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Some of us like oranges.

Quote: Lee Henman @ April 16 2012, 4:04 PM BST

Talking of f**king idiots, one comment on that Daily mail article I posted reads

"Don't worry no-one watches him. He isn't funny whatever he does. On the other hand very few of us have not had close contact with a child, different from the rest, who we didn't learn to appreciate had other things to offer in us in friendship. That completely new way of viewing our shared world made me feel pretty stupid before I got the hang of it. It's a two-way street. He had to learn about me too and I had to stop assuming. Priceless.

- Yve, UK, 16/4/2012 0:58

What the Hell? I've re-read it twice and still have no idea what it means.

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I think it just means that some disabilities offer a diferent take on the world, which if you learn to appreciate it can be quite special.

Quote: DeathbyMonkey @ April 16 2012, 3:36 PM BST

Perhaps Sanchez you should double check if someone HAS listened to the back catalog of work before you assume they're a "clown".

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If you have listened to the whole back catalogue and still claim Karl to be a character then that's fine. But I can't see how a sane person could come to such a conclusion.

Karl was good at what he did, which was sitting in a room by himself making jingles and occasionally manning the desk for DJs. Then Ricky came along and it organically grew from there. The XFM show wasn't even that greatly listened to and Karl would often not turn up or be in a bad mood and not talk.

Now if they scripted all that, on a local radio station while they were writing the biggest sitcom in British history then they're utter geniuses from another planet.

But I still think he's real, maybe a little forced at times. But real.

Quote: Dr Sanchez @ April 16 2012, 5:15 PM BST

If you have listened to the whole back catalogue and still claim Karl to be a character then that's fine. But I can't see how a sane person could come to such a conclusion.

Karl was good at what he did, which was sitting in a room by himself making jingles and occasionally manning the desk for DJs. Then Ricky came along and it organically grew from there. The XFM show wasn't even that greatly listened to and Karl would often not turn up or be in a bad mood and not talk.

Now if they scripted all that, on a local radio station while they were writing the biggest sitcom in British history then they're utter geniuses from another planet.

But I still think he's real, maybe a little forced at times. But real.

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As I did say, I think he became a character post XFM, during the podcast series he evolved into a character - I mean come on! Karl's diaries - it makes no sense that he radomly brought in his diary repeatedly despite not liking Ricky reading from it - and the quality of material in it - bloody great joke writer. So to clarify he is someone who built a character during the podcast series when they saw the commercial value in it.

As I remember it he told them he'd starting keeping a diary, and Ricky told him to bring it in.
And he's a naturally funny bloke. That's why Ricky loves him so much.

Interesting bits in his latest blog; apparently this was supposed to be a non-broadcast pilot; and a series must have been approved, as he's halfway through writing it:

http://www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php

Quote: DeathbyMonkey @ April 16 2012, 5:31 PM BST

As I did say, I think he became a character post XFM, during the podcast series he evolved into a character

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You're backing out quicker than Antony Worrall Thompson in a Tesco Express.

You never mentioned XFM or the fact Karl was ever "real" here's what you said,

Quote: DeathbyMonkey @ April 16 2012, 2:11 PM BST

All this episode did was add to my theory that the character Karl Pilkington is a character - not a real person.

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And it's not really your theory. People have been saying this for years.

It's persona comedy pure and simple.

I mean its all most semi decent standups do.

I agree he's hamming it up a bit, but it's based on truth. I'm not a fan of Gervais but quite like the podcasts/show so somethings working (for me)

RG's portrayal has been ripped to shreds today in The Mail by the pissed off father of an autistic boy.

The mother of two autistic boys has said Derek is great. Does she win?

http://nickyclark.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/ricky-gervais-talks-about-derek-karl.html