On
Rotten Tomatoes the first series holds a rating of 53% based on 32 critics, with the consensus reading: "Derek is as irreverent as might be expected from a show starring Ricky Gervais, but this time he brings a surprising amount of depth and empathy to the title character." On
Metacritic, the first series of the show earned a rating of 64 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews". The show generated occasional controversy due to a perception by some viewers it mocks
intellectual disability. Tanya Gold, writing for
The Guardian, dismissed Gervais's claims in
Derek, he was satirising prejudice against disabled people, instead saying it "feels more like lazy cruelty than satire". Jack Seale criticised the show for relying on elements and characterisations from other programming by Gervais. Tom Sutcliffe of
The Independent questioned the wisdom of commissioning the programming: "To my mind, the pilot of Ricky Gervais's comedy about an assistant in a retirement home already fully explored its awkward – and testing – balance of comedy and emotion." Discussing the show's compassionate moments, he wrote "Derek's redeeming qualities are the hardest to take – a sense of self-congratulation at the refinement of its sentiments that has a little bit of the bully in it, too." Gervais' performance as
Derek received mixed reviews. Diane Werts of
Newsday reacted positively, saying "Gervais nailed it". Curt Wagner of
Red Eye says Gervais "surprises with some tender, quiet acting, and obvious love of the character. Rob Owen of
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says "although there could be an ick factor to Mr. Gervais playing a character with developmental issues, that turns out not to be the case. Mr. Gervais creates a character, not a caricature." On the other hand,
The Guardians Sam Wollaston says "Ricky Gervais is out of his depth playing a character that isn't based on his worst foibles." Terry Ramsey of
The Telegraph says "There is Gervais's cringe-making performance in the title role. I'm sorry, but Derek is simply Ricky Gervais in a patterned jumper with a cricked neck. Gervais is not a character actor, and what Derek needs to bring him alive is to be more believable. What he really needs is someone else playing him." The second series of
Derek generated some positive reviews. The second series currently holds a 67% based on 9 critics on
Rotten Tomatoes. Hank Stuever of
The Washington Post reacted positively, saying "Derek is an honest and often charming endeavor." Kyle Anderson of
Entertainment Weekly also praised the show, but says the absence of
Karl Pilkington hurt the series, saying: "The second series mostly upholds the first's tricky precedent, but the absence of regular Gervais associate Karl Pilkington means the yuks are a bit less hearty." Terry Ramsey of
The Telegraph wrote, "We didn't need a second series of Ricky Gervais's comedy drama Derek." In a review in
The Guardian, Sam Wollaston says "That's the other big problem with
Derek...it's not very smart. Or very funny. Or very good."
Msn.com says "Ricky Gervais'
Derek remains a mawkish mess. Where to begin? The mockumentary format is moribund. The ethics are muddy. The tone is all over the place in everything but its consistent condescension." Matt D of Unrealitytv.co.uk agrees, saying "The primary reasons for this are the imbalance in tone and Gervais' central performance, both of which stop
Derek from being a truly enjoyable programme." AV Club says "
Derek has all the creative ambition of [an online video of little piggies and bunnies doing cute things]." Indie Wire says "Series two is all over the map." Michael Hogan of
The Telegraph says Derek is a "saccharine series" and "dreadful". Serena Davies, from the same publication, says "the show seems to have been devised by someone of Derek's limited intelligence... [I will not be] wasting any more of my time watching this rather flimsy, curiously pointless program."
The Guardian reviewer Julia Raeside concurred, adding "I can find no comedy in it, and it lacks the emotional truth required for a drama."
Awards and nominations == DVD releases ==