Stephen Fry- Actor of the Week

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry is truly a national treasure in England. He is part of the culture of Britain at this point. I love him. He is such a wonderful combination of intelligence and vulnerability as well as being a fantastic actor. Comedy is his specialty, having started out in the Cambridge Footlights Club with Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie who both remain his dear friends to this day. Emma Thompson once described Stephen Fry as "90% gay, 10% other" but I say he is 100% fabulous!

His love of all things technological is well documented. He owned one of the very first Apple computers in the 80s and apparently has a collection of mobile phones. He is a regular on Twitter where he mostly hilarious but occasionally likes to bring attention to various charities and causes, the most recent of which is the campaign to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece.

Stehpen Fry as Oscar Wilde

In the film Wilde, he portrays Oscar Wilde himself. An obvious bit of casting, this one looks fabulous, and yet I have never seen it. Can anyone give us a recommendation? I think I'll hunt this one out. I love Oscar Wilde and I love Stephen Fry.

Oscar Wilde:  In this life there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants. The other is getting it.

Stephen Fry as Inspector Thompson in Gosford Park

In Gosford Park, he plays the hilariously inept Inspector Thompson. There is so much going on in this film but even so, Fry's Inspector Thompson stands out. Comic genius.

Constable Dexter: Sir, someone's traipsed a load of mud in down here.
Inspector Thompson: Not now, Dexter, please.

Constable Dexter: Inspector, there's a broken coffee cup down here.
Inspector Thompson: Dexter, they have people to clear these things up. You get on with your own job.

Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster

Perfectly cast as the all knowing valet Jeeves in Jeeves and Wooster, Fry and Laurie seem to be having the time of their lives filming three wonderful seasons of P. G. Wodehouse's dynamic duo.

Bertie Wooster: Tell me, Jeeves, were you always like this, or did it come on suddenly?

Jeeves: Sir?

Bertie Wooster: The brain, the gray matter. Were you an outstandingly brilliant child?

Jeeves: My mother thought me intelligent, sir.

Bertie: Well, can't go by that. My mother thought me intelligent.

Stephen Fry as The Duke of Wellington in Blackadder 3 with Hugh Laurie as the Prince Regent

Stephen and Hugh were together again in a few Blackadders. The episode above from Blackadder the Third is entitled Duel and Duality with The Duke of Wellington challenging the Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) to a duel for taking advantage of his nieces. Of course it ends up Blackadder involved and mayhem ensues.

Duke of Wellington: There's only one way to win a campaign: SHOUT, SHOUT AND SHOUT AGAIN!

Stephen Fry as General Melchett with Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder

Stephen was also in Blackadder Goes Forth as General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett. Hilarious as usual. Must watch this again soon!

Blackadder: Remember you mentioned a clever boyfriend?

Nurse Mary: Yes.

Blackadder: I leapt on the opportunity to test you. I asked if he'd been to one of the great universities: Oxford, Cambridge, Hull.

Nurse Mary: Well?

Blackadder: You failed to spot that only two of those are great universities!

Nurse Mary: You swine!

Melchett: That's right! Oxford's a complete dump!

Stephen Fry as Mycroft Holmes

As Sherlock's brother Mycroft in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, we get to see a bit more of Stephen than usual. Thankfully for some strategic photography, not too much, as he walks around completely naked in one scene.

Mycroft Holmes: Good evening, Mrs Watson. I'm the other Holmes.
Mary Watson: You mean there's *two* of you? How marvelous! Could this evening get any better?

Stephen Fry as host of QI

When I have a few moments to myself and I need a good laugh, I find a snippet of QI on YouTube. I will warn you if you haven't seen this before, this is one of the most entertaining quiz shows around and will suck you into the Youtube vortex for hours. Feeling brave?



So hopefully this post has given you lots of inspiration for viewing (or re-watching) some of Stephen Fry's work, both period and modern. I know I am going to dig out some Blackadder at the very least!

Jeeves and Wooster 1990-1993

If you need cheering up for any reason, Jeeves and Wooster is just what the doctor ordered. I was introduced to P.G. Wodehouse's wonderfully funny books by my sister, who gave me one or two during my first year of university. She thought that I needed an antidote for my science and calculus courses. And of course, she was right (she loves it when I say that!).

Jeeves, the all knowing valet for Bertie Wooster

My favourite kind of period piece is one which has good literature behind it and this DVD collection is no exception. Filmed for ITV in the early 1990s, the brilliant comic duo of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie do ultimate justice to the beloved P.G.Wodehouse books.

Already a well established comedy act, these two had their own show, A Bit of Fry and Laurie and so already had the shorthand that a great comic duo requires. Bertie Wooster is a well heeled bachelor who seems to be enjoying his freedom from all responsibility- full stop. His valet Jeeves makes sure he keeps enjoying that freedom, all the while keeping everything just the way Jeeves likes it too!

Jeeves: Travel is highly educational, Sir.
Bertie: I cannot do with any more education, Jeeves. I was full up years ago!

Bertie Wooster plays piano for Jeeves

Hugh Laurie uses the most of his musical talents as well playing 1930s beauties on the piano such as Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher". He gets long suffering Jeeves to help him out with the chorus, and the result is one of my fave scenes in the series.

Bertie: [singing Minnie the Moocher] Hi dee hi dee hi dee hi
Jeeves: [speaking] Hi dee hi dee hi dee hi,  sir!

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Bertie: [pausing while playing "Minnie the Moocher" on the piano] Now that is clever, Jeeves.
Jeeves: Sir?
Bertie: That part about "the king of Sweden" and "things she was needin'."
Jeeves: Yes, His Majesty King Gustav appears to have been exceptionally generous to the young lady, sir.
Bertie: No, I mean, it rhymes, Jeeves.
Jeeves: Almost, sir.

Aunt Agatha

Aunt Agatha is one of the dreaded aunts who are always trying to get Bertie respectably married off. And of course that is exactly what both Bertie and Jeeves are trying to avoid. Mayhem ensues as always!

Bertie: But I don't want to be molded! I'm not a jelly.
Aunt Agatha: That is a matter of opinion. 

Aunt Dahlia with the French chef Anatole- Yummmmmmm

Aunt Dahlia was played by four different actresses in each of the four series, but no matter what she looks like, she is always trying to get Bertie to do something he would rather not do.

Bertie: [at the telegraph office] To Aunt Dahlia: I say, look here. This is absolutely impossible. Not to say out of the question. Spode has already threatened yours truly. Sorry and all that. About the cow creamer I mean. Anyway, there it is. Toodle-pip. Your affectionate nephew, Bertie.

Telegraph operator: Is it a code sir?

Gussie Fink-Nottle

Telegram to Bertie-"Come immediately. Serious rift Madeline and Self. Unless you come earliest possible moment prepared lend every effort reconciliation, wedding will be broken off. Reply, Gussie"

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Reply from Bertie-"Fink-Nottle, Totleigh Towers, Totleigh-in-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. Yes, that's all very well. You say 'come here immediately,' but how dickens can I? Relations between Pop Bassett and self not such as to make him welcome Bertram. Would hurl out on ear and set dogs on. What serious rift? Why serious rift? Why dickens? What have you been doing to the girl? Reply, Bertie."

Silver cow creamer

My eldest son loves to watch Jeeves and Wooster with me when he is home and even brought me back a cow creamer from a school trip years ago. Not a silver one, but it has pride of place in my china cabinet and I treasure it.

I think I know what we will do the next time he is home from University. Aunt Dahlia here we come!

Hugh Laurie- Actor of the Week

Hugh Laurie with those baby blue eyes

I will watch just about anything with Hugh Laurie. I eventually lost interest in House, but I watched him diagnose and misdiagnose many patients before that point, often marveling at his impeccable American accent. It is very difficult for a Brit to do, as demonstrated by Emma Thompson playing a Hilary Clinton type in Primary Colors. Let's just say that Emma's accent wasn't good, but the film was. In any case, lots to admire about Hugh Laurie's career. From a guy who could be considered an Oxbridge toff, he seems very down to earth and oozes talent. Comedy, music, drama...you need it, Hugh has got it!

Hugh Laurie being presented the Perrier Comedy award by Rowan Atkinson. Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry look on.

Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson are still friends, even after dating briefly while at Cambridge together. Most importantly, they collaborated with Stephen Fry and a few other talented Brits to take the Cambridge Footlights Revue to the Edinburgh Festival and won the first Perrier Comedy Award there.

Here are a few of my fave Hugh Laurie roles, and most of them could be considered Period Pieces!

Hugh Laurie as The Prince Regent in Black Adder the Third

Prince George: What can I do to a woman that I can't do to you?
Blackadder: I cannot conceive, sir.

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Wooster

Jeeves: Travel is highly educational, Sir.
Bertie: I cannot do with any more education, Jeeves. I was full up years ago!

Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer from Sense and Sensibility

Charlotte Palmer: Oh, if only this rain would stop!
Mr. Palmer: If only you would stop.

Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams stealing 101 Dalmatians (House and Mr. Weasley!)

Horace: You know, this house is creepy, I'm starvin' hungry, and so far we haven't been paid one bloody quid!
Jasper: Oh, WILL you stop MOANING?

Hugh Laurie in Stuart Little with Geena Davis and Jonathan Lipnicki

George Little: Maybe we should go home.
Mr. Little: Why?
George Little: I'm not wearing my lucky underwear.
Mr. Little: You don't have lucky underwear.
George Little: Well, maybe we should get some, and then come back for another race.

Hugh Laurie in The Young Visiters with Jim Broadbent and Lyndsey Marshal

Lord Bernard Clark: Oh, tell me you love me also, Ethel!
Ethel Monticue: I do love you also, Bernard. I love you madly. I love you with passion. You are to me like a heathen god, with your manly form and your handsome, flashing face.

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I loved his character in Spooks (MI5), Jools Siviter, and I wish I had seen him as Vincente Minelli in Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.  Did anyone see him in that one? I love Judy Davis and I'm sure she did a great job of playing Judy Garland. He was in Spice World too, but we won't hold that against him!

So have I missed your favourite Hugh Laurie role? Are you a closet Hugh fan too? I love that Emma Thompson had to have him in Sense and Sensibility. He took Mr. Palmer from ridiculous to wonderfully compassionate with aplomb. Lovely! May have to pop in Sense and Sensibility now, as I have been quoting it all day.... 

Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken

from Shakespeare's Sonnet 116