We agree on something.

I think Derek is one of those one season sitcoms - another example being Benidorm.

I don't think it was distasteful and was fairly sensitive considering it's a comedy.

However it was soon going to run out of steam and near to the knuckle does become depressingly distasteful very quickly as stated. The first episode of the second series was instantly flawed by the over use of the grotesque alcoholic character for shock value and cheap laughs.

Series one was fine for me but that's where it should have stopped, it can only degrade from now on. Not for me either.

The first series was brilliant but I agree that the second has lost its way a little.

I don't think Gervais will ever reach the dizzy heights of The Office Christmas special, one of the greatest pieces of sitcom television I've ever seen.

By 'attempts to justify' you presumably mean 'apology for'.....?

I saw that too - I don't buy it; he's an intelligent bloke and I find it hard to believe that he didn't understand the connotations of the word when he used it.

Either way - it's not worth an argument; I don't like the programme because I find it distasteful - I think that's my right.