Hugh Laurie

Watching this series's parade of classic comedy clips, chosen by comedians of today, confirms the theory that some people just have funny bones. It wouldn't matter if Tommy Cooper were clipping his toenails or performing the elaborately shambolic glass bottle trick from 1974 that is replayed here tonight: the fez-wearing comedian induces guffaws just because of who he is. Similarly, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore go wildly off-script in their "Pete and Dud" sketch in the art gallery and start giggling, but they're naturally funny together, as Phill Jupitus and Rhod Gilbert attest here. Funny comes in many packages, and while the American stand-up Joan Rivers, chosen by Graham Norton and Jo Brand as a favourite, is well-known for her shock tactics, her outrageous quips about growing old on The Graham Norton Show appeared to take even Norton aback at the time. Other treats featured are the University Challenge scene from The Young Ones in 1984, co-starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, and the bit in the Monty Python film Life of Brian in which Graham Chapman's Brian Cohen exhorts his followers to think for themselves. It may be a clip show and most of the clips are more than familiar, but it surely contains more laughs per minute than any of the newer comedies on television tonight.

Hugh Laurie channels his 'inner-model'

In trying to leave politics out of it from the endorsement of cosmetics vs. a support of a ban on cosmetic testing discussion, this is just a really funny clip that you would least expect to see from the likes of Dr. Gregory House, Bertie Wooster or Prince George.

Why is Hugh Laurie so popular?

Hugh Laurie's been getting a lot of attention. He's turned from a man with a limp who can put on a decent American accent, to a man with a guitar who can put on a decent American accent. The difference is that Hugh Laurie is pretending to be a doctor in House, whereas on his album Let Them Talk he is playing himself.

Video - House star Hugh Laurie: 'This is a dream'

Hugh Laurie joined BBC Breakfast to talk about his musical career. The Blackadder star is more recently recognisable for his role in the US hit series House, which has brought him huge acclaim and recognition in Hollywood.

Laurie's other great passion is music and he is releasing his debut album called "Let Them Talk", which celebrates the blues sound of New Orleans.

Video: Hugh Laurie on success and singing the blues

Hugh Laurie talks about starring in the hit TV series House and his new blues album.

Peter Capaldi: 'People ask me to tell them to #@*! off'

After playing everyone's favourite foul-mouthed spin doctor in The Thick of It, Peter Capaldi was surely destined for Hollywood. But as the actor tells Gerard Gilbert, he's no Hugh Laurie...

Hugh Laurie plays first ever blues gig

House star Hugh Laurie celebrates release of debut blues album with intimate New Orleans gig.

Hugh Laurie: I'm just grumpy because I'm Scottish

Hugh Laurie blames his "miserable" nature on his family's Scottish roots.

A modest moment of TV history took place in Fry and Laurie Reunited, in which the beloved comedy duo appeared on screen following a gap of 15 years.

Interviewing each other informally in an English country manor, their mutual affection was palpable. Although it was charming seeing them in tandem again, it was disappointing that their cheerfully anecdotal conversation offered scant insight into their working process. Sadly, it wasn't that kind of show.

Instead, this was - as Fry might say - a moist, fluffy tribute to one of Britain's most exceptional double acts: a reminder that Laurie is one of the most naturally gifted clowns of his generation, and that Fry was once so much more than a cosy national treasure.

Despite their closeness, it was interesting to note their different temperaments. Now one of the world's biggest TV stars thanks to House, Laurie disguised himself behind a torrent of unsentimental quips, while Fry guffawed adoringly and spoke emotionally of their relationship.

It's tempting to draw parallels with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore: the troubled, resolutely English wit and the ivory-tinkling clown turned unlikely superstar sex symbol. But there isn't a hint of jealousy or spite between them.

As torrid as it got was when Laurie questioned Fry's memories of their first meeting and expressed concern that he was spreading himself too thin, while Fry dug heavily at the likes of Little Britain for lazily regurgitating sketches, which Fry and Laurie rarely did.

Notwithstanding a glimpse of their obscure comedy pilot from 1983, this reunion was over-reliant on familiar clips and padding. If not a squandered opportunity exactly, then not quite the summit I'd hoped for.

Fry & Laurie - Reunited | TV Review

GOLD couldn't have gone far wrong with this well-judged and timely reunion, with public affection for Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie - once one of comedy's biggest double acts - sky high at the moment.