Ricky Gervais's 'Derek' ratings improve in second week
Published Feb 7 2013, 11:30 GMT | By Paul Millar
Ricky Gervais sitcom Derek saw its audience increase last night (Wednesday, February 6).Channel 4's divisive sitcom amused 1.5 million (an 8% share) and 147,000 on +1 despite clashing with part of a rescheduled Coronation Street.
However, One Born Every Minute was the broadcaster's best-rated show of the day with 1.85m (7.5%) in the more popular 9pm slot, appealing to a further 326k on Channel 4 +1.
ITV aired Corrie at the later time of 9.40pm due to its coverage of England's sensational friendly win over Brazil, which pulled in 6.75m (29.2%) from 7pm and 102k on timeshift.
This meant the last instalment of David Attenborough's Africa was dented, managing 5.2m (20.6%) on BBC One in the 9pm hour, prior to which 3.86m (16.3%) watched Holiday Hit Squad.
© BBC / Felicity Egerton
Over on BBC Two, Hairy Bikers Everyday Gourmet attracted 1.91m (8%) in the 8pm hour, then The Brain Doctors logged 1.3m (5.1%).
Elsewhere, Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story mustered 763k (3.2%) for Channel 5 at 8pm, after which NCIS picked up 1.21m as well as 161k on timeshift.
Overall, ITV won primetime with 25.4% (+1: 0.6%) against BBC One's 19.8%. BBC Two claimed third place with 6%, ahead of Channel 4's 5.4% (+1: 0.8%), and Channel 5's 3.8% (+1: 0.3%).
BARB ratings data supplied by Attentional
It's a shame there are so many people out there who haven't even got the intelligence to understand a show as simple yet sharp and heart-warming as "Derek". I guess they are just uncomfortable watching shows featuring disabled characters, which is really sad. It in no way "mocks disabled people".
February 10th 2013 at 3:30pm(+1 like)
"[The football/Corrie] meant the last instalment of David Attenborough's Africa was dented...."
Africa was up on last week! Quite the opposite of dented.
February 7th 2013 at 9:26pm(+1 like)
how did people like us fair in the ratings on bbc three?
February 7th 2013 at 5:07pm
Derek is great! and in no way "mocks the disabled"!!!!!! It shows him to be clever and enjoying life. I.e. the scene where Vickie tries to explain the joke to him and he clearly got the joke, but enjoys making Kev believe he didnt get it!
February 7th 2013 at 4:45pm(+6 likes)
Have you watched it James? Where is it mocking the disabled? Because Gervais, as an actor, dares to play someone who is 'disabled'? Derek's percieved disability is never the butt of the joke. Like in the pilot, if he stumbles in to a pond then he is, but that's not mocking any disability. Derek is a icon for not sweating the small stuff and taking pleasure in his life. I'm a big fan of RG...but yes, I can admit that there are some glaring missteps in the show but that said it's just a fun, heart-warming half hours viewing with a real message (however heavily-handed it is delivered).
February 7th 2013 at 12:59pm(+5 likes)
i have watched one episode and i dont care to watch any more if thats how you see it and you enjoy it then good for you but i dont agree, "daring" to play someone disabled ? its not daring its been done before and in much better taste by better actors in my opinion, and yes it may be "just fun" and maybe i'm biast but i dont think some one with mental disabilities is something to laugh at.
February 7th 2013 at 1:07pm(+1 like)
As I say. Tell me one point where he is laughed at... I suppose, if you don't like it then that's fine, as I say, eve I can see it's flaws...but I would say if you think Derek is being laughed at for his disability then you've not really got it. And I'm sorry that comes across as inflamatory, it's not intended as such but I don't really know a better way to write it. And yes, I understand what you say about my use of the word 'dared'. To be fair I meant it in speech marks because I think, as an actor, playing people different to yourself is what you're expected to do and not daring at all - challenging I suppose, but not daring.
February 7th 2013 at 1:26pm(+3 likes)
its not him being laughed at internally by other characters to me it just seems like the whole point of it is "oh look he has a metal disability and doesnt understand things properly let laugh at the things he does as a result" just not for me and admittedly I am not a fan of RG i dont think he can act or write very well but i will confess to laughing at one or two bits of his stand up routine but as far as derek goes i think its in bad taste like i said i only watched on episode i could watch more to see if there are more examples like i saw in the first one (i genuinely cant remeber them but then again i dont really remember details about stuff i find distasteful) but i really dont have any desire to watch anymore
February 7th 2013 at 1:50pm(+1 like)
James, I agree with you. There's just something that's distasteful about it. I will admit, I'm probably biased because I can't stand Ricky Gervais. Still, it's each to their own!
February 7th 2013 at 6:07pm