Wednesday, November 27, 2013

MOVIE WEEKEND: DEREK

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

We're starting MOVIE WEEKEND early because we have a long weekend coming up and not everyone watches football or goes shopping. I certainly won't go shopping, but if Willy Dunne Wooters wants to watch just a little football, I can use the time to decorate my Christmas tree. Or I can sit next to him and make fun of the game.

I know this is supposed to be MOVIE weekend, but for today, please pardon the interruption while I present a TV series I love. It's called Derek (available on Netflix Screaming or British Channel 4 You Tube site at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=channel+4+derek&oq=channel+4+derek&gs_l=youtube.3..0.3519.6131.0.6532.8.6.1.1.1.0.82.418.6.6.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.3EmaS6J8Gx8 ).



Netflix calls Derek a Netflix Original Series, but it's not. It was already on in the U.K., and now the first seven episodes are available on Screaming. It's been renewed for another season, but I hardly think seven shows constitutes an entire season. The ONLY seven episodes is a complaint on my part, because I love Derek.

Derek (Ricky Gervais), who's maybe not all there, works in a nursing home as a caregiver. I know we're accustomed to comedy with Ricky Gervais, but this show is a dramady. It's sweet and sentimental. Some people might think it's sickeningly sentimental, but Derek is so honest and openly loving and sincere that I don't find the show too sweet at all. Having worked in a nursing home, I adore seeing a show in which the people who work in this home truly love the residents and take good care of them.

I wish I could recommend this show for your entire family, but I can't because of the profanity and the occasional sexual innuendo. Teens might watch with you, but you should check it out first. The show makes a good teaching tool: The elderly are human beings. They might need diapers and they don't get around too well, but they are people deserving of our care and caring.

I like all the characters in Derek, especially Hannah (Kerry Godliman), who seems to be in charge of the home and is absolutely devoted to her job, to the point that it interferes with her romantic life. I like the little bit of romance, and I particularly like seeing a character who will end her date with a handsome man because a resident of the home is dying.

Yes, death is part of Derek, and it's handled delicately and lovingly. I really like an episode in which a daughter visits her mother only because she wants the mother's wedding ring. The daughter is told a thing or two by a staff member.

Derek earns The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval. You can easily watch all seven episodes in one day, maybe while you're digesting your turkey.

Happy viewing, and I wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


It's not too late to enter my giveaway. It's open to residents of the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Prizes are books, Amazon gift cards, an Editor's Tip t-shirt, and $150 worth of editing by me.


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34 comments:

  1. I've had this in my queue since it came out but can't bring myself to watch it because I know it'll give me the sads. By the way, I promise your drawing is forthcoming. It's been a hectic week.

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    1. It didn't give me the sads. It gave me the warms–or maybe that was a hot flash. Besides, it's funny in a quirky way. I love Ricky Gervais.

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  2. This sounds like something I will love! I'd never heard of it, so thank you for cluing us in!

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    1. I think you'll like it, but be ready for the language, which you no doubt heard when you were teaching.

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  3. I haven't seen Derek but it sounds like Nurse Jackie, which in my opinion is one of the best programs on TV right now.

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    1. I haven't seen Nurse Jackie, but want to. It's not on Screaming, so I have to get the DVDs. I bet Willy Dunne Wooters will like it if he gives it a chance. He wouldn't try Derek.

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  4. We love Derek in this house, so glad it's being seen overseas too.

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  5. Huh. Might have to check that one out. We're always looking for new and amazing shows. (And we don't go shopping either. Crazy people with their crazy lines and crazy crowds.)

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    1. I really go for quirky and unusual, or sometimes artsy fartsy.

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  6. Have a wonderful Thankgiving, Janie!

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  7. I'll give it a try--Happy Thanksgiving to you, Willy & the pups!!

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    1. Thanks and may God bless you and Bud and Nameless and the rest of the family (sorry I don't remember everyone's names; it's Nameless who stands out from the rest).

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  8. That doesn't look like Ricky at all. I totally agree with S H. Nurse Jackie is one of my favorites. I loved Carrie Fisher last night! I couldn't stop cracking up. I never would have known about that if not for you. Mailed my card. Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. God bless your sweet heart. I'm so glad you liked Carrie Fisher. I laughed more at that show than I've laughed about anything in a long time.

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  9. Dagan and Leah recently told me about this show and it is up near the top of my streaming queue. (Right now I'm watching Lie To Me and enjoying it a lot.) Thanks for the thumbs up. D&L gave it a thumbs up, too. :) Happy Thanksgiving!!

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    1. Willy Dunne Wooters is in the oven and the turkey is sitting next to me. Or maybe it's the other way around.

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  10. I never heard of this show, I'll have to check Netflix for one of those days where I want a dramady.
    Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, Janie ;)

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    1. I had a loverly Thanksgiving, S. Katherine. Thank you.

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  11. I have never tried Netflix, it looks like something worth while.

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    1. It's so convenient and reasonably priced, Inger.

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  12. The BBC is so weird about how they schedule their shows. Is nice to know Ricky can be sweet. :)

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    1. I never saw the BBC version of The Office. I've seen Ricky host an awards show (hilarious) and saw him on Inside The Actors Studio, I think. He's the kind of person who laughs at his own jokes, just like me.

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  13. I need to check this out!

    I still need to watch the rest of "Breaking Bad." I remember that you said it had some really cool twists and turns in it! :)
    Hope you're doing awesome.
    Love,
    E

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  14. Have fun on you movie marathon. Watch only the good ones!

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  15. Apparently, according to relatives here at the house for Thanksgiving we need to stream Netflix to our TV. We used to use it all the time. Derek sounds like something we would like so I'll see if I can figure out how to do it!

    I'm pretty sure I entered your giveaway, but the raffle copters confuse me a bit!

    Oh heck.

    Everything confuses me a bit!

    And, BTW, stop by my blog! You won the bracelet and I need your mailing address!

    Woo hoo!

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    1. We actually have a Netflix button on the remote that takes us straight to streaming. It's a gift from God.

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  16. Derek sounds rather good. I'm wondering if we'll get it Down Under. I quite like Ricky Gervais. I believe he loves animals. My kinda person.

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  17. I love British TV and cinema. We get a few on our PBS channel on Saturday nights.
    R

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  18. I'm a huge Downtown Abbey fan. In fact, I think I might actually be Lady Mary. I would like to be Lady Sibyl, but she died. I don't think anyone wants to be Lady Edith.

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