British Comedy Guide
Derek. Image shows from L to R: Dougie (Karl Pilkington), Derek (Ricky Gervais). Copyright: Derek Productions
Derek

Derek

  • TV sitcom
  • Channel 4
  • 2012 - 2014
  • 14 episodes (2 series)

Bittersweet comedy drama written by and starring Ricky Gervais as a worker in a retirement home. Also features Kerry Godliman, David Earl, Holli Dempsey, Brett Goldstein, Karl Pilkington and more.

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Series 1, Episode 5

Broad Hill Retirement Home is planning to host a cabaret show and Derek has formed an entertainment committee to discuss plans for the evening.

Preview clips

Further details

Derek. Image shows from L to R: Derek (Ricky Gervais), Deon (Ben Bailey Smith). Copyright: Derek Productions

Derek has decided he wants to do a ventriloquist puppet act for Broad Hill Retirement Home's cabaret show, whilst Kev announces he wants to make a play of the Duran Duran film script he wrote in '98 that never got off the ground. Dougie questions however whether it can actually be referred to as a 'film script' when it's only three to four pages long and illustrated with phallic drawings!

There's a new community service worker starting at the home today who goes by the name of Deon. He's a keen rapper but the elderly residents aren't exactly the type of audience he's used to. Derek shows Deon around and takes him to meet Dougie who is less than impressed with his rapping ability and when Deon tries to claim that he's different from other singers, Dougie shoots him down.

Later that day, Deon meets Vicky and the pair flirt with each other whilst establishing a common ground over the fact they both got caught nicking shoes. Deon's beginning to settle in and decides that although it smells like Oxfam, Broad Hill is a better option than prison as there's no physical threat and if necessary he could beat up anyone in there.

Derek's put himself in charge of casting for the cabaret and tries to convince Deon to be part of the show but he declines. Kev and Derek then go around sourcing costumes and wigs for their Duran Duran tribute act by rummaging through some of the elderly residents possessions.

It's the night of the show and Kev has chosen to host. Derek is first to take the stage with his ventriloquist act, although he appears to be using the puppet more like a glove than anything else. Elderly resident Joe sings and then it's time for the big Duran Duran finale - Boys on Film written and directed by Kev.

Unfortunately for Dougie he is needed to step in, despite protesting he doesn't want to be involved, as another of the band members is taken ill.

As the boys step on stage, there is a lot of confusion on Derek's part as to whether his character is Duran Duran or Simon Le Bon but once that's been established the band can start to perform... Finally, Deon makes a welcome return with a special heartfelt rap.

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 27th February 2013
Time
10pm
Channel
Channel 4
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Ricky Gervais Derek
Kerry Godliman Hannah
David Earl Kev
Holli Dempsey Vicky
Brett Goldstein Tom
Karl Pilkington Dougie
Kay Noone Lizzie
Tim Barlow Jack
Arthur Nightingale Arthur
Sheila Collings Sheila
Margaret Towner Edna
Prem Modgil Prem
Barry Martin Joe
Blanche Williams Precious
Ninette Finch Annie
Ruth Bratt Mary
Guest cast
Ben Bailey Smith (as Doc Brown) Deon
Salo Gardner Salo
Writing team
Ricky Gervais Writer
Production team
Ricky Gervais Director
Charlie Hanson Producer
Ricky Gervais Executive Producer
Richard Halladay (as Richard Halladey) Editor
Graham Barker Editor
Anna Higginson Production Designer

Videos

Derek the Ventriloquist

The retirement home is having a cabaret show. Derek becomes a ventriloquist.

Featuring: David Earl (Kev), Ricky Gervais (Derek) & Karl Pilkington (Dougie).

Deon visits the home

Featuring: David Earl (Kev), Kerry Godliman (Hannah), Doc Brown (Deon) & Holli Dempsey (Vicky).

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