I was shocked when my lecturer raised the idea that Ricky Gervais’s
new programme is cruel and unacceptable. Andy and I watched it and I
really enjoyed it. That doesn’t make me ignorant, rude or disrespectful
to those with learning disabilities - if anything it makes the people
who find it offensive all of those things, because they are the ones
jumping to the conclusion that Derek has something wrong with him. I
don’t understand why people have to pick and pick and pick at absolutely
anything they can find holes in.
Comedy is always going to be subjective, and although the show might
poke fun at a vulnerable character, there is no diagnosis explored in
the programme - clearly suggesting that it is not necessary for the
show’s comedy factor or escalation as a story.
I was actually so surprised when my lecturer brought this up and
everyone in my workshop agreed - I hadn’t even thought that people would
be offended by this when there is absolutely nothing to be offended by.
It is a comedy - not meant to be taken seriously, not bullying anyone
in particular, not actually real - it is just a fictional character.
I think a lot of people just don’t like Ricky Gervais and that’s
fine, don’t. But there are so many other comedians who take the mick out
of their characters, in a non-specific way and it’s fine because that’s
the arts - always going to upset some people and entertain others. I
was especially surprised that this came from my lecturer who teaches the
transgressive and experimental module - if anything is disrespectful or
unacceptable it’s explicitly brutal rape, murder and other such
inhumane acts that have been filmed for our entertainment.
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