Those who are only familiar with Hugh Laurie's work as the lead of "Dr. House, MD" will be fascinated to compare his earlier work in Hugh & Laurie which, while hilarious, fails to convince that Mr. Laurie had a life as an English wit and comedian before his present incarnation as a brilliant but acerbic and pain-damaged American doctor who never returns my requests for a consultation.
Like Dr. House, this earlier Laurie plays piano, and can burst derisively into shrill fake laughter to humiliate his adversaries. There are even moments in which Hugh plays an American character (isn't that what's going on in his piano playing bit in 1.2 where he earnestly sings "America" until Fry pushes him onto the floor?); which is much as Dr. House on occasion puts on a mock English accent who's imperfection makes him more convincingly American.
Much of Hugh & Laurie is inscrutable, and while a laugh track helps to educate Americans about which parts are funny, it does not reveal which parts are surreal because the humo(u)r is surreal, and which parts are merely English.
Cholly
Like Dr. House, this earlier Laurie plays piano, and can burst derisively into shrill fake laughter to humiliate his adversaries. There are even moments in which Hugh plays an American character (isn't that what's going on in his piano playing bit in 1.2 where he earnestly sings "America" until Fry pushes him onto the floor?); which is much as Dr. House on occasion puts on a mock English accent who's imperfection makes him more convincingly American.
Much of Hugh & Laurie is inscrutable, and while a laugh track helps to educate Americans about which parts are funny, it does not reveal which parts are surreal because the humo(u)r is surreal, and which parts are merely English.
Cholly