Ricky Gervais

How We Met: Karl Pilkington & Ricky Gervais

Karl Pilkington and Ricky Gervais explain how they first met. Karl says of Ricky: "Now he's my best mate, but in the early years he became obsessed with finding out where I lived."

The pilot last year may have been a bit divisive, but Channel 4 obviously liked Ricky Gervais's Derek enough to order a full series of the bittersweet retirement home comedy - we're just wondering if he can keep that face up for six whole episodes. The Office mastermind's latest project kicks off proper with sweet and simple Derek teaming up with co-workers at the home Dougie (Karl Pilkington, basically playing himself) and Hannah (Kerry Godliman) to save it from closure.

Ricky Gervais' Derek: It's such a disappointment

It doesn't succeed as a comedy and it doesn't convince as a drama; it's a shame Ricky Gervais' most personal endeavour is such a disappointment.

Derek might be worst thing Ricky Gervais has done

Ricky Gervais' efforts are so horribly forced and heavy-handed that Derek feels more like a cynical exercise in emotional manipulation than the heart-warming piece he's aiming for.

Ricky Gervais interview

Ricky Gervais tells TV Magazine why his comedy-drama Derek is all about kindness - whatever his critics may think.

Kerry Godliman interview

Kerry Godliman plays Hannah, a care home manager, in a six-part comedy drama. The show, which had a pilot episode last year, has caused some debate because it features comedian Ricky Gervais as Derek, an employee who seems to have learning difficulties. Kerry tells TV Choice more...

Ricky Gervais: 'I want it my way, or not at all'

Outspoken comedian Ricky Gervais has defended his controversial TV career, saying "art is not a democracy."

Funny Business, narrated by Radio 4 newsman Eddie Mair, showed us what comedians were doing when they weren't monopolising television - to wit selling their souls at lucrative corporate dinners. Here was the menu - half an hour of Michael McIntyre for £40,000, Ricky Gervais for £25,000. Lesser lights got less, but how could you resist? You were right there in the shop window prostituting your art. One lavish event, the Real Variety Show, with its audience of hardnosed business types, could land you 30 other corporate gigs. Jo Brand and Arthur Smith bared their shame but took the money. Everyone had experience of being ignored on stage. Rhod Gilbert was visibly distressed as he relived the night he found himself talking to the back of Sir Alex Ferguson's head at a footballers' beano in Mayfair.

It was revealing but long-winded, and I found myself wondering how much Eddie Mair was getting paid as we drifted into the overvisited realm of vintage advertising with its (yawn) clips of Fry and Laurie selling cigars and John Cleese being zany in the service of Schweppes. "Wherever you look now, money's spoiled it," said Cleese from his Monte Carlo apartment.

Astounding news as BBC2's new three-part series Funny Business revealed that Michael McIntyre commands a higher fee for a corporate gig than Ricky Gervais (told you you should've agreed to do the dance, Ricky.)

We also met the promoter who gave Jimmy Carr his first-ever paid booking back in the days when Jimmy's career was more Haven holiday park than tax haven. Sadly, the promoter didn't elaborate further so we were left wondering a) how much Jimmy was paid and b) how much he was left with after tax. My guesses are a) around £50 and b) around £50.)

The corporate gigs are not for everyone, though. Following a particularly soul-destroying half-hour set at one PFA annual dinner Rhod Gilbert vowed never to do another. 'I just remember seeing Alex Ferguson's back as he talked to someone during my act.' Could've been worse, Rhod. Fergie could've demanded an extra seven minutes.

Ricky Gervais in Derek, Channel 4 - review

Despite good performances from Kerry Godliman and Karl Pilkington, the first full series of this care home comedy looks like another slushy mess, says Jack Seale.