Gervais’ History On Disability Insults Leads To Suspicion Over ‘Derek’ Character
(BBC News)
April 12, 2012
LONDON, ENGLAND– [Excerpt provided by Inclusion Daily Express] Ricky Gervais has defended his new Channel 4 programme, Derek, following suggestions he was mocking people with learning difficulties.
The one-off comedy is billed as the story of “a simple, vulnerable man working in an old people’s home”.
Some, including fellow comedian Stewart Lee, have said the character makes light of the “mentally handicapped”.
But Gervais, who plays the title role, said Derek was not intended to have a “specific and defined disability”.
“Derek is a fictional character and is defined by his creator, me,” he told disability rights campaigner Nicky Clark.
“If I say I don’t mean him to be disabled then that’s it. A fictional doctor can’t come along and prove me wrong.”
Gervais was interviewed for Clark’s website ahead of the first screening of Derek on 12 April.
The campaigner has previously been a vocal critic of the comedian. Last October, she took him to task for repeatedly used the word “mong” on his Twitter feed.
Entire article:
Ricky Gervais defends comedy show Derek
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17656633
Related:
Ricky Gervais talks about Derek, Karl and collateral damage (Nicky Clark)
http://tinyurl.com/ide0412125b
Ricky Gervais, there is no justification for this lazy cruelty (Guardian)
http://tinyurl.com/ide0412125c
Ricky Gervais Defends Derek Against Disability Rights Groups (WorldTVPC)
http://tinyurl.com/ide0412125d
Planet of the Blind 