A Bit of Fry and Laurie is my favorite comedy sketch show of all time, even eclipsing the likes of Monty Python's Flying Circus for me. Nobody can do comedy like the Brits, and this show was typically English, with quirky and odd humor, clever wordplay, sexual innuendos and laced with references to British politics. The show often had Hugh Laurie playing a musical instrument and singing a hilarious number with it, with Stephen Fry taking upon himself to provide some perfectly idiotic choreography as accompaniment, which were a complete riot. Another quirky aspect of the show was the use of some nonsensical phrases supposedly from Strom, a Central European language invented by Stephen Fry! According to Wikipedia, it "comprises nonsensical single-syllable words often meaning different things in the same sentence, even shorter words that can only be expressed in over a full sentence in English, and vulgar faux amis." The most popular Strom phrase was 'soupy twist' uttered at the end of most episodes by both the actors, which in all probability meant 'cheers.'
The double act of Fry and Laurie, in fact is not limited to this show but they have collaborated most brilliantly in prominent works like Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and Peter's Friends and innumerable lesser known radio and TV programmes. Both Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie go back to Cambridge Footlights which has produced some of the finest British comic figures in the last 40 years, be it Douglas Adams, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Emma Thompson or more recently, John Oliver.
Both Fry and Laurie were born in the late 1950s. Fry overcame a felony as a minor and three months in prison to come to Cambridge and majored in English Literature, immediately taking to theater and joining the Footlights. at the insistence of his friend Hugh Laurie. Laurie followed in his Olympic Gold medal winner father's footsteps and was a promising oarsman in high school and college, earning his Blue while at Cambridge before a bout of glandular fever nipped his athletic career in the bud. He then tried his hand at acting, joining the Footlights. He was introduced to Stephen Fry by his college girlfriend, a certain Emma Thompson. In 1981, Laurie served as the President of the Footlights, with Emma Thompson serving as vice president.
The first break for Fry and Laurie, and in fact, Emma Thompson, too, was when their annual revue at Cambridge, The Cellar Tapes won the Perrier Comedy Award. This gave them some publicity and led to the television adaptation of the revue. This showed led to a contract with Granada TV for all three to collaborate with Ben Elton in There's Nothing to Worry About, later called Alfresco. (which was a response to BBC's highly successful Rowan Atkinson starring Not the Nine O'clock News, written by among others, Richard Curtis) By this time, Fry and Laurie's double act had gained popularity and BBC offered them their own two man show The Crystal Cube which was soon shelved and later their most celebrated show A Bit of Fry and Laurie. In the meantime, they essayed various roles in Black Adder, another excellent comedy series from the 80s which Ben Elton co-wrote with the other set of twin comic collaborators, that of Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis from the Oxford Revue and were regulars as a comedy double act on Channel 4's Friday Night Live.
Their next big break was an television adaptation of several of PG Wodehouse's Jeeves and Bertie Wooster stories and novels. Both Fry and Laurie are ardent Wodehouse fans and this is evident in their portrayal of Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, respectively. While Fry seems perfect in the role of the impassive, supercilious, cunning butler, it is Hugh Laurie's quirky protrayal of Bertie as a well-meaning but complete twit with an air of optimistic carelessness that stands out.
Thereafter, both Fry and Lauries went on achieve a lot of individual success, continuing to come together only for a few comedy acts, like reprising their earlier roles in the one off installments of Blackadder. Stephen Fry ventured into different roles on TV ranging from playing a game-show host (Qi) to documentaries (The Secret Life of Manic Depressive) to producing the legal drama, Kingdom. His also dabbled in films, playing various suporting roles. However, his most significant roles were in Peter's Friends (co-starring Hugh Laurie) and Wilde, in which he played Oscar Wilde in a much acclaimed role. Hugh Laurie, on the other hand, portrayed primarily supporting roles in films like the Emma Thompson written and starring Sense and Sensibility and the Stuart Little films. He played the lead in Ben Elton's Maybe Baby. However, his finest role remains that of Dr. House in the American TV show, a nacissistic anti-hero inspired from Sherlock Holmes. Both have written reasonably succesful books and have also tied their hand at direction.
Though Fry and Laurie have not collaborated in any substantial way in the past fifteen years, the remain the best of friends. Fry was the best man to Hugh Laurie's wedding and is the godfather to all of Laurie's children. They have both continued to acknowledge each other for their support and inspiration. 'M'colleague' is how they refer to each other and their books are usually dedicated to the other or acknowledge their contribution. A couple of days ago, I read that Stephen Fry has been signed on to play the role of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's elder and suposedly more brillaint brother in the second part of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes trilogy. Fry seems to fit the description of Mycroft as a large and stout man, astute yet lethargic. It is all the more fitting that his younger partner has been portraying a one of the finest character inspired from Sherlock Holmes for the last six years.
Even though Stephen Fry and Hugh Lauri haven't worked together in a long time, both have expressed a desite to renew their partnership at some time. Here's hoping it happens. Soupy twist!
Even though Stephen Fry and Hugh Lauri haven't worked together in a long time, both have expressed a desite to renew their partnership at some time. Here's hoping it happens. Soupy twist!
