About Fry And Laurie: Reunited
In every comedy generation, Britain has produced quality double act after quality double act. Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore, the Two Ronnies, French and Saunders... the list goes on.
Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are now known as two of the world's most popular figures in entertainment, enjoying solo success (in Stephen's case) writing, performing and broadcasting, and (in Hugh's case) award-winning US drama. But it's easy for a new generation of comedy fans to forget that at the start of their careers they worked together as one of the nation's most popular comedy double acts.
This UK premiere celebrates the 30th anniversary of the pair working together. Back in 1980, Fry and Laurie met for the first time at Cambridge University, introduced by their mutual friend Emma Thompson, and quickly became the torchbearers for the established Footlights comedy and performing troupe.
They were the perfect combination - Stephen was tall, awkward and an expert straight man, while Hugh was a physical comedy whirlwind. They found themselves at the forefront of the new alternative comedy movement in the early 1980s and reaped the benefits, finding fertile ground in which to showcase their talents - they won the inaugural Perrier Award at the Edinburgh festival in 1981, they frequently appeared in the groundbreaking Saturday Night Live, they starred together in Blackadder, and their own series, A Bit Of Fry And Laurie, ran from 1989 to 1995.
Now, in Fry And Laurie Reunited, the pair talk exclusively about their friendship, their personalities and talk through some of their favourite sketches. With plenty of clips and rare material, this is the ultimate celebration of two of Britain's favourite sons.
Stephen Fry says: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to retread the 30 years Hugh and I have known each other and worked together. It was a great joy reminiscing about our times together and I hope GOLD viewers enjoy watching us grow older and older..."
UKTV's director of commissioning Jane Rogerson says "Watching Hugh and Stephen reminisce over their 30 year friendship is heart-warming, funny and very special. We're so proud they chose to do it for GOLD."
GOLD channel head Paul Moreton says: "We are so proud that Stephen and Hugh have chosen to come together on television for the first time in 15 years to create a new show exclusively for GOLD. This fantastic special follows in the footsteps of the hugely successful Fawlty Towers and Blackadder specials which also brought together Britain's comedy royalty to GOLD."
Classic Sketch
Stephen Fry (barman): "Cocktail onion?"
Hugh Laurie (drunk customer): "No thanks. [my wife] Takes no interest in my friends, she laughs at my..."
Stephen Fry: "Peanuts?"
Hugh Laurie: "Hobbies. She doesn't even value my..."
Stephen Fry: "Crinkle-cut cheesy Wotsits?"
Hugh Laurie: "Career. It's just so depressing. Alright, so other men have got larger..."
Stephen Fry: "Plums?"
Hugh Laurie: "Salaries."