I'll be honest: I'm not sure about him. He has produced some undeniably brilliant work (The Office), and, in his role as Master of Ceremonies at the Golden Globes he popped many an over inflated Hollywood ego with some incisive wit and some simple insults, but, sadly, he does seem rather hit and miss, and, worst of all, he seems to have fallen hook, line and sinker for his own publicity guff.
Yes, he is successful - there is no denying that - and, yes, he is almost certainly worth a fortune as a result of the huge success The Office has had in its American version, plus some movies which have done well - but his arrogance is, at times, infuriating and detracts from the good things he has done.
Derek is his latest project. At the moment it's a one-off hour-long comedy drama but, I wouldn't be surprised if, assuming viewing figures are high enough, he turns it into another cash cow. Having said that, I think it's fair to say that it's unlikely that the programme would ever have hit our screens without Ricky Gervais' involvement - and, boy, is he involved - he does just about everything in the show except make tea for the cast.
Derek works in an old folks' home, with Doogie (played by Gervais' friend Karl Pilkington). Both Derek and Doogie are what you might politely call simpletons.
Some have been "outraged" at the portrayal of someone who clearly has a learning disability, and, there's no denying it, it is awkward and cringeworthy, but I feel it is our reaction to those with a learning disability that is being questioned more than Derek being laughed at.
I wonder if those who are "outraged" by Derek complained about the portrayal by Ardal O'Hanlan Fr. Dougal in Father Ted, or felt that Fawlty Towers' Manuel took the mickey out of people with learning disabilities too much? I would suggest that simpletons have been used as the butt of comedy since time in memorial - but does that make it right?
It's an odd debate that will dominate reviews of Derek and, as a result, the genuine heart of this comedy drama will be lost. What Gervais highlights is how awful it is to be in an old folks' home for the rest of your days, just waiting for death.
It's a shame that Gervais' natural inclination to shock has got in the way of what could have been a touching and humorous look at life as an old person in modern Britain.
Still, Mr. Gervais will have done what he wanted - got people talking about him, and I'm sure it won't do his bank balance any harm. Sadly, though, Derek just isn't very good and lacks any lines that are actually funny.
ABSOLUTE rubbish - the portrayal of people with learning disabilities was insulting. The portrayal of care staff as sad lonely people is ridiculous. Shouldn't really comment as it perpetuates the "I am so funny" Gervais publicity machine
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