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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that Hugh Laurie is perhaps THE best actor of all time?

52 replies

popsycal · 22/01/2011 22:28

Discuss!

OP posts:
CheerfulYank · 23/01/2011 11:22

I don't think he's the best, but he's quite good. And I would shag him sideways given the slightest opportunity

compo · 23/01/2011 11:25

When does series 7 of house restart does anyone know?

SleepingLion · 23/01/2011 11:27

I agree with Omnia - he is utterly fabulous in House. The depth and nuance of the character is superb. And obviously, he is perfection as Bertie Wooster. But I don't think he would necessarily be brilliant regardless of role - it's just he has (with profound apologies for using this phrase which I mock mercilessly on X-Factor) made those particular roles his own.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 23/01/2011 11:29

angrybeaver I don't think his accent is shit - in fact it is so good my american BIL refuses to believe he is british

I also think he is good. Can't believe that he is now a sex symbol in the states Grin

Merrylegs · 23/01/2011 11:32

NO! His accent in House is really really bad. Why does he do it? Why didn't they get an American actor or just let him use his regular accent? Not feeling the Laurie lurve. Sorry.

SleepingLion · 23/01/2011 12:05

I don't understand those who say his accent as House is bad. It's a commonly known anecdote that during Hugh Laurie's audition, Bryan Singer, one of the executive producers, said, "See, this is what I want; an American guy."

lazarusb · 23/01/2011 12:13

In my eyes he can do no wrong Smile I am very fond of him Grin

Honeybee79 · 23/01/2011 12:16

I would.

But also Mortensen. Pref both at the same time.

KatieScarlett2833 · 23/01/2011 12:18

Colin Firth because I say so.

SleepingLion · 23/01/2011 12:20

I have long thought that Viggo Mortensen is one of the most underrated actors of recent times, overlooked for flashier, more attention-grabbing performances but utterly compelling in whatever role he plays.

Overall, I think he probably is a better actor than Laurie, but Laurie is perfection in two specific roles.

Honeybee79 · 23/01/2011 12:22

SleepingLion - you're right. VM is unfairly overlooked. He's excellent.

BrigitBigKnickers · 23/01/2011 17:11

If you are nuts about Hugh Laurie, have you seen Hughauriefan fansite?

Loads of info, pictures and [H]ouse stuff.

PS I think he's brilliant and can't understand why some posters think his accent is bad. Most Americans were fooled into thinking he was a yank.

Sn0wflake · 23/01/2011 17:36

Not the best but very good. He's just very charismatic.

GertieWooster · 23/01/2011 17:56

Brilliant as Bertie. Whenever I read the books, I now see Hugh Laurie's face - double win Grin

BlessedAssurance · 23/01/2011 18:03

He is brilliant.I saw him in House and thought he was born for that role,then i was watching Blackadder and didn't recognise him till DH told me,he is super..

BlessedAssurance · 23/01/2011 18:03

I gues i am th eonly woman who does not like mr Depp,his hands are very small:o

BlessedAssurance · 23/01/2011 18:04

oh boy,meant to say i guess i am the only

lecce · 23/01/2011 19:55

Not sure about the best of all time, but cetainly very, very good.

SleepingLion, I don't agree that he is only good in those two roles. They are so different from each other that it is not too much of a stretch to believe that he would be great in other stuff as well. Indeed, I think he's really good in 'Peter's Friends' and remember my 16 year-old self being very indignant at people who kept saying he could only play 'upper-class twits' around the time that film came out and felt that it was testament to his potential. (I was a bit odd at 16 Grin.)

I think he has had two careers, really. I bet if he had started out as a 'straight' actor he would have done a lot more roles and we would have more evidence of his range. Instead, he started out in comedy so has had less time to prove himself as an actor. I'm very glad about this personally. Where would we be without 'thicky' Prince George and all the fabulous Fry and Laurie sketches?

Phew, I think I've been waiting 20 years to get this post out of my system!

BrigitBigKnickers · 23/01/2011 20:06

Compo I saw on the Sky website today that House season 7 is due back sometime in February. I know it restarted in the US last week and we are usually a two or three weeks behind here.

I have set up a reminder so I don't miss when it restarts- I nearly missed when Season 7 started in October as Sky gave so very little warning when it would begin.

TeeBee · 23/01/2011 20:07

YABVU

compo · 23/01/2011 20:08

thanks bbk will look out for it Grin

undercovamutha · 23/01/2011 20:11

Maybe no THE best, but I just LOVE House.

SleepingLion · 23/01/2011 21:56

lecce - I think I was posting in relation to the OP's assertion that Hugh Laurie is the best actor of all time. And in House and Jeeves and Wooster, he might come close. That's not to say, he's not good in other stuff - he is. But not that kind of career-defining performance he gives in House.

Blessings3 · 23/01/2011 22:27

lazarusb - married or related ?

BrigitBigKnickers · 24/01/2011 18:36

House starts again on Sunday 13th Feb- Said so in the New Sky magazine I got through the post today.Grin