Derek...

Cards on the table. I like Ricky Gervais. I thought The Office was a superb creation and, alongside the ever-wonderful Peep Show and shows such as Father Ted and Black Books, it sets the benchmark for any new comedy series.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Extras and the podcasts kept me amused on many slow days at work. In fact, on one holiday myself, The Missus and The Boy spent several afternoons sat around a pool with our respective iPods plugged in loudly chuckling to ourselves as Gervais, Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington sort of set the world to rights. I like Gervais as a stand-up, too, and thought Life's Too Short was criminally under-appreciated, particularly with Warwick Davies showing a superb ability to do slapstick and physical comedy.

But I'm totally sold on his new show Derek. When the pilot was aired last year, Gervais came in for much criticism at writing a show about a man with learning difficulties (Derek) working in a care home. It was considered poor taste in some areas of the press and the blog-osphere. Personally, I thought it was quite touching and you could see there was the germ of an idea in there that could be brilliant.

Well I've now seen episode one and it could be the best thing he's done. Gervais is very engaging and doesn't overplay the role of Derek and Pilkington is surprisingly good as his handyman mate Duggie. The real star of the show, though, is Kerry Godliman as put-upon and caring care home manager Hannah, who in the opening episode is told she and the home are surplus to requirements and the old folk living there are going to be rehoused at other institutions.

The show's not laugh-out-funny but it's bittersweet and will probably be something that flies a bit under the TV comedy radar for lots of viewers. But it's beautifully written and takes a compassionate view of its subject, while also making something of a plea that we should value services like care homes in an age when many of the most vulnerable in society remain under attack from the Cameron government.

Give it a go. It's entertaining, rewarding and engaging TV.