@RomeoLovesAsh it's a song from A Bit of Fry and Laurie he wrote. It was originally meant to be comedic, (since the show was a comedy) and he wanted to see if anyone got the reference.
@Alephmusic55 I may be an american but I did see him originally in blackadder on PBS. His other stuff back then wasn't shown here sadly. When House premiered, I recognized him right away. AND I've known for a long time that he's a talented artist, not just an actor. I love the blues stuff he does now. I'm not familiar with this song like someone that is British but not all Americans are ignorant savages. I've been trying to get some of his comedy from before he came to US
@Alephmusic55 This isn't a dick comment at all. While I'll agree that a majority of American viewers probably don't know how talented this man is. I can't help but feel the need to defend myself and the many others who pay attention and explore an artists previous work. Dick.
I preferred the original... It had the voice and the weird facial expression xD... Thames water authority was the reason for living on an estuary, and I didn't like the new piano intro... A bit of Fry and Laurie ftw!
The America vs England debate on here is just ridiculous. Both countries have come up with great comedians. I'm english and i hate it when my countrymen go on about how much superior english humour is. Utter crap. Woody Allen is just as good as anyone we've ever produced for one example
"Dumbed down?" Changing the "Thames water authority" to "Port Authority" is a dumbing down? He merely updated the times and place. 'Hated me' and 'violent dislike to me' he merely switched, probably because it flows better. He's not changing big words to little words. That's what "Dumbing down" means, which you, ironically don't seem to understand.
You may be anti-America but Hugh isn't, At least, not from this song. Hey, if England was so great he'd still be there.
@anbui123 Nope, you're confused. I stand by what I said: "dumbed down". To my eyes and ears, Hugh deliberately performs this song in much the same way that one might talk to a "special" child. My arguing skills (or lack thereof) are not in question.
As for me believing stereotypes; I don't. I just find them amusing. Germans find it amusing to be called humourless. The Italians enjoy their reputation as great lovers, the Irish that they're a nation of charmers and most Brits find it hilarious that the world believes them posh, respectable and sophisticated when the majority of Brits can be found lying in the gutter during the early hours of a Sunday morning.
Oh and as you're ticked off by the the guy saying the song is dumbed down for Americans, that's bollocks. All Hugh's done is remove references that the British recognise. Like changing Thames Water Authority to Port Authority.
The only difference between the versions is that he uses a funny voice in the Fry and Laurie version and changes a few lyrics to match the country and time period he's singing at.
For my part, I've always been staggered by the thoroughness of American education system. In Britain you're fucked to put it mildly.
As for the whole geography argument, few Americans can name twenty countries in Europe and few Britons can name twenty states. (I learnt them because I've had this argument before. 35+)
It's a stereotype; like the French being cowardly, the Germans being humourless, the Colombians all being crack heads or Australians all being incredibly laid back.
And yes, statistically, you would have more genius' than the British, and thus China has four times more than the US. :)
And I could point out that the British (Thanks largely to the inventive Scots) Have invented far more.
Linguistically, American English and English English are two languages that have developed independently and are like Gorrillas and humans; both have a common ancestor but neither language is superior because they're languages.
The real problem is that there's three hundred million Americans and sixty million Brits, meaning that you have five times as many idiots as we do, and unfortunately they all have internet access and thus the ability to perpetuate the idea that American is the land of the stupid.
God can't we just agree to not call Americans uneducated and dumb and in return we won't call Brits pretentious and snobby people who insist that they're smarter than most Americans when really they're potentially as dumb as us, because none of it's really true because none of it really matters and anyone who insists otherwise is just a moron.
@MechoMadness How exactly is substituting 'Port Authority' for 'Thames Water Authority', or '1993' for '1973', dumbing down or diluting the original? What's 'dumb' is your shameless anti-American chauvinism - something that Laurie would be mightily unimpressed with. I'm British, by the way, but, more importantly, an internationalist. My advice? Shut up.
- Firstly. I was referring to his changing the line: "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me,
I'd be foolish to ignore the possibility" To: "Hated me..."
- Secondly. H. Laurie may work in the USA these days, but, that does not change the fact that the scripts to all 4 series of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" are CHOCK-FULL of anti-Americanisms.
- Thirdly. I couldn't give a toss what you might think. Carry on assuming.
- Fourthly. Your message has been flagged as spam, NOT by me I might add.
@MechoMadness Actually he flipped the two phrases. He said Taken a violent dislike to me at the end of the verse rather than at the beginning. When you don't perform a song in some time things like that happen on occasion, even to someone as brilliant as Hugh Laurie.
Stephen and Hugh were never Anti-American. They poked fun at Americans but they also poked fun at the UK and anyone else they felt like roasting.
@MechoMadness HA, your arguments are ridiculous.Changing that line has nothing to do with dumbing down the song for Americans, not to mention he added "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me" in the later part of the verse, its just switched. Seems like you're just trying to find a bad excuse to make fun of a country, your ignorant patriotic-ism and anti-americanism makes me laugh, same goes for anyone who gave this guy a thumb up
Contrary to the assumption you've made, I am neither ignorant OR patriotic (I can assure you that I "slag off" my own country and its people on a regular basis). I'm not necessarily anti-American either... I was talking specifically about a certain type of American -> the easily-pleased, whooping American that always populate the audience on these mainstream TV shows. This version is bland & unfunny, the original is perfectly-timed hilarity. Just my opinion.
It's word for the word the same version, he's a bit older now so of course he is not going put on such a goofy voice when he sings. I prefer this version actually. Got a good vibe and still cheeky and funny
@hitman212121 In this version he's changed a couple of the lines so that they're less likely to offend the Americans. Also the genius of the original was the way he sung it, not the words. In this he doesn't do it nearly as well
@TheCR155 I dont think it was taken out to keep from offending Americans. I do stand-up and when I am in certian areas I change some jokes around and use local locations and phrases to make the joke fresher and more current for the audience. Using port authority was just to make it more relevent to the New Yorkers that he was playing in front of. And changing the date makes since because he wanted it to amount to the same time frame as the original. Maybe hechangedtheother linebecausehewanted2
@hitman212121 I agree completely with you. I like both versions but this one is a bit more subtle and not quite as forced or overdone. I actually found the easier delivery made it funnier. Frankly the original felt a lot more like Hugh was trying too hard, this is just naturalistic.
@TheCR155 How exactly is it simplified? Watch them back to back, this one the accent thing he's doing is a bit more subtle but other than that and a few minor word changes it's the exact same thing.
@switchbuckle4th Some of the lines have been changed to be better for the Americans. But the main thing is the way he sings it, in the original it's like he's making it up as he goes along. This one isn't as good, it looks more practised
@TheCR155 See I actually disagree with that. I think this one feels looser and less rehearsed than the original. I like the original, but as I said in another comment here I think the original feels overdone and forced precisely because of the way he delivered it. This version feels a lot more relaxed and confident to me, and I like that about it.
@switchbuckle4th What I liked about the original was the way he seemed to take a while to find the next word. It was like he was just making it up as he went along
@TheCR155 I can appreciate that. I like that a lot too. The reason I like this version is because it's delivered so subtly and smoothly that it's almost like the singer (Hugh obviously) doesn't realize how ridiculous a song he's written. Like he's so thrilled with himself that it never occurs to him just how marvelously silly it is.
It's nearly the exact same thing save for a very few and slight, not at all dumbed-down wording changes. In point of fact the only thing I see as having been changed is the "port authority" bit, which is granted an Americanization but in fact means the same exact thing and instead of "hated me" he says "you might have taken a really violent dislike to me." which I actually find funnier. And of course the obvious year change. Really the only difference to me is this one isn't as forced.
"Hated me... I'd be foolish to ignore the possibility", is sung in THIS version. "Taken a violent dislike to me" is sung in the original version, so which is it you find funnier?
In the original version, upon just double checking, he says "taken a violent dislike to me...I'd be foolish to ignore that if we ever actually met you might have hated me." and in this version he says "Hated me!...I'd be foolish to ignore that if we ever actually met you might have taken a really violent dislike to me." So in this one he says the same thing he just switches the placement of the lines. I find both versions to be funny, and actually think the placement here has more punch to it.
@MechoMadness Wow, I don't even know where to start.
Fist of all, your arrogance towards American viewers (are they even american?) is very unflattering. I see this often from British people on youtube comments, but I'm not going to start thinking you're an arrogant people.
Secondly, the only difference in the lyrics is 'port' instead of 'themswater', which is logical for a non-British audience.
Thirdly, any other differences (the voice, the' practiced sound') are probably more due to his age.
@MechoMadness Why do you have to come to a hugh laurie vid and show us Brits as a bunch of awkward pretentious twats. Theres one line in this thats different. The only dumbed down and diluted thing here is you.
1) I must say I'm flattered that you think that I (one man who dares dislike a lazily-performed, clumsily-delivered, "Oprah Winfrey'd" version of an otherwise excellent Hugh Laurie song) has the power to taint the whole British nation as a bunch of: "awkward pretentious twats". Thank you.
2) "Theres one line in this thats different" [sic]. Nope, you're wrong, pay attention.
I see what you mean. He switched the order of "Hated me" and "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me" (yes, that line is still in this version), changed "Thames Port Authority" to "Port Authority" and says "1993" instead of "1973" (and rescales the years since then appropriately). That totally changes the meaning of the whole song.
I may be digging up an old thread but it seems you avoid the issue. What part of the song is watered down. All I see is that a few lines were switched around and the port authority bit was changed. A bit of light on the dumbed down bit would be helpful
@muffin8or See my last reply, but it's the actual performance itself that I consider dumbed down - the delivery. And yes, I really hate the fact that the "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me..." line has been switched. Switched to the point where it no longer works. It's 'Mystery-lite'.
If the delivery was the main issue then may I say he was about 50 when he recorded this and he doesn't sing for a living any more. His voice is less versatile and powerful than in the original. But also consider this; for him to put on the weird voice he did would tarnish his reputation as a serious actor. What you are doing is pretending it's still 1987 and Hugh plays the comic idiot. It isn't dumbed-down; it's times moving on. Be glad he did a throwback to his old career.
In what way do you take them on board. Has your opinion evolved or have you understood context more? It's no wonder you seem to try people's patience
@muffin8or I mean: "Hmm... I s'pose I can see what he means". But, it doesn't change the fact that I hate this performance & have every right to do so. Taking your comment into account, perhaps he was unwise to revisit this song in the first place? Try people's patience? Hardly. A few Americans got (as they might say themselves) "pissed", because they took umbrage at an innocent comment I made on a relatively obscure Hugh Laurie song and assumed I was belittling their whole country's culture.
I agree this was a performance for Americans and Laurie's original and, by no contest, best was for us Brits. I think he was right to do so as it shows him as having another dimension to the Americans who see him as just being the serious character House. I don't look at this as him trying to be funny, I see it as an accomplished man looking back at his career and pulling out one of his best moments. Just the way that he says he wrote it a long time ago makes it quite powerful
@muffin8or Love the "comic idiot" vs "serious actor" comparison. You can't BE a serious actor if you can't PLAY "comic idiots" as well. It's possible that he feels, and rightfully so, that the american audience, which is, practically, paying him at the moment, would be taken aback if he'd pull "old Hugh" out of the hat and would disapprove of that. Oh, sweet, sweet irony...
-.- I said 'plays the comic idiot.' You can be a serious actor if you can't play comic idiots. People have strengths in different areas. You're just being odd.
@muffin8or Pardon me, but an actor that can't interpret a role (any role) in a play (other than roles that exclude based on age/gender/body type/height/hair color, ofcourse) is hardly much of an actor, if you ask me.
I believe you're familiar with Hugh's work, so I will assume you've seen the 1993 film "Peter's Friends". That film alone and Hugh's part in it show you how wide can be a characteral range of an actor.
Just because you consider Hugh to be a serious actor and have seen him in a variety of roles does not prove your point. Daniel Radcliffe, to me was not believable in the final harry potter films, doesn't mean he's a bad actor, or not serious. Stephen Fry, good actor and performer, can't play the comic idiot (hence why Hugh did) Alan Rickman - great at playing the villain, not as great with more emotionally sensitive characters - and his accents good be better. You can have a mixture
@muffin8or if you think Stephen Fry isn't comic and Alan Rickman isn't emotional you are sorely sorely mistaken and really need to brush up on your research, also it's called being an ACTOR it's their job and they do it rather well
You evidently misread my comment. I said Stephen Fry isn't the comic IDIOT and Alan Rickman isn't AS GREAT at playing sensitive characters as he is villains. They are good all round but better in some areas. If you think actors are either good or bad across the board then you are sorely mistaken
@MangoStarrx3 haha btw have you noticed (or has anyone in the USA) him in 'Friends'? He's the Brit on the plane when Rachel's going to London, but I have no idea if people over there have realised that it's the same person as House lol XD
@TheBeatleboy64 LOL i saw that! I was like wait a minute. That's..... HUGHHHHH <3 I'm so glad you brought this up, because i've never heard anyone say anything either~
@MangoStarrx3 LOL then people clearly aren't noticing! Not surprised because people in the States know him for House (some might not know he's English haha) but over here he's really famous for stuff long before that.
I actually prefer him in loads of things compared to House XD
@TheBeatleboy64 Hrm, they SHOULD know he's English seeing as how that's all the interviewers ever talk about, "Oh, your not really American, are you?" "Can you do your american accent?" "Oh, now do yours," "So your dad was a doctor" -__- lol.
@MangoStarrx3 Yeah that's true, it seems to be all they go on about- although it confuses us over here, because of course House wasn't what made him famous. Good to see he's finally made it over the Atlantic though lol
And his faces are so funnyyyy aaahahah! I was drinking milk when I was watching me i spilled it outta my nose, i cleaned it up, but it did leave a stain, and when my mom came home, she asked me is that sperm... hahahahah omg i thought i'll pass out i was laughing that hard hahahah xD
Dead since 1993...You've been dead now...Wait a minute, let me see...14 years come next...Janu-a-reeeee...As a human beeing, you're a HISTORY!!! xD xD xD xD hahahahah Hugh IS A GENIUS!
@KISSxMExIMxIRISH19 Who cares about Steve fry? Who made him the say all on Hugh Laurie? it is not an argument because there is no exchange of conflicting thoughts. I said my stuff , you blindly defended some magical alternate universe where people can be born where we want them to be despite the facts.
it's not as good without the silly voice
TheSoulMan8 1 week ago
dysentereee, you live in a third world country and died of dysentreeeee.
abstractheory 1 week ago
I wish he would do "America" again too.
blueberryicedtea 3 weeks ago
very Peter Murphy like...why the hell is this people laughing...?
thehornypuppy 1 month ago
Why the people laugh at every line of the song's lyrics?
I think its a mystery..
EvandroMario 1 month ago 3
@EvandroMario That's what Americans do isn't it?
crazypianolady 2 weeks ago
@EvandroMario Because he originally wrote it for a comedy show.
MrWeetabixloverx1000 1 week ago
@MrWeetabixloverx1000 So it's not anymore a ....mystery!
EvandroMario 1 week ago
25 people dislike this. that's a mystery.
Arghiers 1 month ago 2
I love the fact that 25 dislikes are there just because people prefer the original :D
Not because they are haters or something like that.. cuz u cant hate this :D
Vaukan89 1 month ago
It seems to be me that this song secretly is just for the old blossoming friendship for Stephen Fry..
chocolatehaemonculus 1 month ago
He's singing about me :)
cantwhistleforshit 1 month ago
9gag brought me here!
fragrblog 2 months ago 4
@fragrblog That's really a shame :( my condolences
kylep2 1 month ago
Strange to think that "Dead since 1993!" is still 6 years after this was originally written and performed. :o
MrCaides 2 months ago
@MrCaides 7 years come next Jan-u-a-ry
Zeebedee101 1 month ago
@Zeebedee101 LOL. Indeed. :D
MrCaides 1 month ago
@MrCaides
If im not mistaken the original was dead since 1973.
Faygofiend1987 1 month ago
@Faygofiend1987 It was indeed. :)
MrCaides 1 month ago
@RomeoLovesAsh it's a song from A Bit of Fry and Laurie he wrote. It was originally meant to be comedic, (since the show was a comedy) and he wanted to see if anyone got the reference.
KillerHelix 2 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This song is horrible. Hugh Laurie sucks at singing.
RomeoLovesAsh 2 months ago
@RomeoLovesAsh I hope you're aware that he's putting that voice...
SymphonicDays 2 months ago
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@RomeoLovesAsh And you suck at life. Go die you piece of shit.
telamindel 2 months ago
@RomeoLovesAsh wow, dude. How is he horrible? It's so amazingly awesome. He sets the perfect mood, and the perfect tone.
canucmesucker 2 months ago
what style of music would this be described as? I like it very much and I would like to find other artists like this
dougpryce92 2 months ago
These people laugh at anything
23pickleman 2 months ago
This diagnosis.....is not really a mystey!
EvandroMario 3 months ago
Awwww it's not as good without the silly voice XD
NickyLess 3 months ago 3
Epicness! :)
Not bad as a singer!
christoph1192 3 months ago
Oh, I adore Hugh Laurie. He's so amazing.
KamokuChan 3 months ago
i realy want to see him! amazing!!!
MsNOAXD 3 months ago
make the comparison =)
watch?v=__DrJI7mTHQ
6Dragon6Software 3 months ago
22 guys are a mystery..
SuperRedcarrot 3 months ago
this reminded me of bill bailey
exfuga 3 months ago
I don't care if he's 52 and old enough to be my dad I still find him hot :P
OpaqueDragon4 3 months ago
@OpaqueDragon4 Same here. I'm 15 and I'd marry him ;D
IrishFig 3 months ago
@IrishFig
^_^
OpaqueDragon4 3 months ago
British Viewers: Fuck yes, he's doing Mystery again! I love that song!
American Viewers: HUGH LAURIE CAN SING?!
Alephmusic55 3 months ago 162
@Alephmusic55 I may be an american but I did see him originally in blackadder on PBS. His other stuff back then wasn't shown here sadly. When House premiered, I recognized him right away. AND I've known for a long time that he's a talented artist, not just an actor. I love the blues stuff he does now. I'm not familiar with this song like someone that is British but not all Americans are ignorant savages. I've been trying to get some of his comedy from before he came to US
Bebinn 3 months ago 2
@Alephmusic55 it is from a bit of fry and laurie right?
MrFirthguy 2 months ago
@Alephmusic55 you mean "DR. HOUSE CAN SING?!" surely?
KonsharPaHuvet 2 months ago
@Alephmusic55
not all of us are ignorant, i saw bit of fry and laurie before i ever saw stuart little or house.
Faygofiend1987 1 month ago
@Faygofiend1987 Same man, the programs where he actually had a personality, like, I love the man, but he seems to be getting bland in his dotage..
chocolatehaemonculus 1 month ago
@Alephmusic55 This isn't a dick comment at all. While I'll agree that a majority of American viewers probably don't know how talented this man is. I can't help but feel the need to defend myself and the many others who pay attention and explore an artists previous work. Dick.
MikkoDriver84 1 month ago
@Alephmusic55 American Viewers: HOUSE IS BRITISH?
MrLabrant 1 month ago 5
@MrLabrant i always forget
RealmRefugee 2 weeks ago
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@Alephmusic55 noo
British Viewers: Fuck yes, he's doing Mystery again! I love that song!
American Viewers: HOUSE CAN SING?!
Ollonstam 1 week ago
@edi1088 he can and he has an album out and he was on Great Performances tonight.
roose85723 4 months ago
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"Dead since 1993..." LMFAO!!!
MultiPring 4 months ago
Comment removed
MultiPring 4 months ago
I preferred the original... It had the voice and the weird facial expression xD... Thames water authority was the reason for living on an estuary, and I didn't like the new piano intro... A bit of Fry and Laurie ftw!
chee5ychicken 4 months ago 31
This comment has received too many negative votes show
u can't sing Hugh... keep acting! ;_
edi1088 4 months ago
@edi1088 actually he can... he's just being funny :) If you watch other videos, he can sing quite well :)
zambucca300 4 months ago
@edi1088 Its just a bit. He can sing. Sheesh.
daegoroth1 4 months ago
@edi1088 dumbass.
ThyizG 2 months ago
wow he's awesome at the piano!!!
Wowurgaylol 4 months ago
The America vs England debate on here is just ridiculous. Both countries have come up with great comedians. I'm english and i hate it when my countrymen go on about how much superior english humour is. Utter crap. Woody Allen is just as good as anyone we've ever produced for one example
vymmas 4 months ago
Bad singer, very good actor
LLadyMM 4 months ago
Starts playing; Oh god, oh god, do the voice.......
30 seconds in: Dammit...
Fallenemiko 4 months ago 5
Bald spot!
powerfullogic 5 months ago
I liked it better when he used his funny voice. :c
Lulzman69 5 months ago
not as good as the original :( but the lyrics will always be hilarious :D
awbkwrm 5 months ago
Guffaw
Winston408 5 months ago
I love this song...it' full of irony...amasing;)
muljere 5 months ago
oh man, I just laughed so hard :))
Fltppy 5 months ago
love this! <3
5thperiodmassacress 6 months ago
I love how it still holds up after all these years.
eleanor7 6 months ago
I love this, not as funny as the Fry&Laurie version though. He sounds really close to doing the voice but doens't want to scare the audience :)
hellopolly87 6 months ago
I'm so in love with him.
hannasamawi 6 months ago
Thumbs up if you prefer the original version!
/watch?v=__DrJI7mTHQ
TheSappySoloChecker 6 months ago 4
gotta luv him always!
beastshawnee 6 months ago
@MechoMadness
Maybe you should have tried that. That way you might not have come off looking like a total douche.
gridlo 6 months ago
If anything, he dumbed in down for england by doing it in a funny voice.
gridlo 6 months ago
"Dumbed down?" Changing the "Thames water authority" to "Port Authority" is a dumbing down? He merely updated the times and place. 'Hated me' and 'violent dislike to me' he merely switched, probably because it flows better. He's not changing big words to little words. That's what "Dumbing down" means, which you, ironically don't seem to understand.
You may be anti-America but Hugh isn't, At least, not from this song. Hey, if England was so great he'd still be there.
gridlo 6 months ago
@gridlo
Congratulations on managing to enter the phrase "dumbed down" into a Google search box. You win a box of cocks.
MechoMadness 6 months ago 31
@MechoMadness lol, so you admitted that your definition of dumbing down is the wrong one. Learn to argue man, you're horrible at it
anbui123 6 months ago
@anbui123 Nope, you're confused. I stand by what I said: "dumbed down". To my eyes and ears, Hugh deliberately performs this song in much the same way that one might talk to a "special" child. My arguing skills (or lack thereof) are not in question.
MechoMadness 6 months ago 3
I was expecting Stephen Fry to come out and punch him off the piano like he always did.
TheSouthernFiend 6 months ago 2
He changed a few lyrics thats all. One of the few funny comedy songs out there
S1elmx 6 months ago
very clever song..its funny and actually very sweet
MrReconzz 6 months ago
hey look its house
thedarkonespeaks 7 months ago
hey lokk its house
thedarkonespeaks 7 months ago
I loved his voice in the original, but I like these lyrics better. Either way, I love Hugh! :D
kafata1 7 months ago
You're all a bunch of idiots for not understanding that America is a continent, not a country.
You're thinking of United Statsians.
Archedgar 7 months ago
As for me believing stereotypes; I don't. I just find them amusing. Germans find it amusing to be called humourless. The Italians enjoy their reputation as great lovers, the Irish that they're a nation of charmers and most Brits find it hilarious that the world believes them posh, respectable and sophisticated when the majority of Brits can be found lying in the gutter during the early hours of a Sunday morning.
Learn to mock your own national stereotype.
DomWeasel 7 months ago
Oh and as you're ticked off by the the guy saying the song is dumbed down for Americans, that's bollocks. All Hugh's done is remove references that the British recognise. Like changing Thames Water Authority to Port Authority.
The only difference between the versions is that he uses a funny voice in the Fry and Laurie version and changes a few lyrics to match the country and time period he's singing at.
DomWeasel 7 months ago 2
For my part, I've always been staggered by the thoroughness of American education system. In Britain you're fucked to put it mildly.
As for the whole geography argument, few Americans can name twenty countries in Europe and few Britons can name twenty states. (I learnt them because I've had this argument before. 35+)
It's a stereotype; like the French being cowardly, the Germans being humourless, the Colombians all being crack heads or Australians all being incredibly laid back.
DomWeasel 7 months ago
I was being friendly.
And yes, statistically, you would have more genius' than the British, and thus China has four times more than the US. :)
And I could point out that the British (Thanks largely to the inventive Scots) Have invented far more.
Linguistically, American English and English English are two languages that have developed independently and are like Gorrillas and humans; both have a common ancestor but neither language is superior because they're languages.
DomWeasel 7 months ago
The real problem is that there's three hundred million Americans and sixty million Brits, meaning that you have five times as many idiots as we do, and unfortunately they all have internet access and thus the ability to perpetuate the idea that American is the land of the stupid.
DomWeasel 7 months ago
God can't we just agree to not call Americans uneducated and dumb and in return we won't call Brits pretentious and snobby people who insist that they're smarter than most Americans when really they're potentially as dumb as us, because none of it's really true because none of it really matters and anyone who insists otherwise is just a moron.
TurboBabyPuncher 7 months ago
The song sounded better when he was young.
1768matthew 7 months ago
1993?
lady12480 7 months ago
This has to be the greatest song ever written on earth. Thank you Hugh for making me HAPPY :)
alepulsar 8 months ago
Its quite romantic but also funny at the same time.
avatarspirit57 8 months ago
li like his hands!
windskilled 8 months ago
Gervais and Laurie, to good for Britian ;)
chrismx24 8 months ago
@chrismx24 and your spelling is toO awful for BritAIn
Morrighaine 7 months ago
@Morrighaine Well played sir I'll make sure to double check my O's next time
Argument still stands though
I win
By the way I purposely made some mistakes in this one so feel free to focus on that until you are ready to accept the fact that what i said is true
chrismx24 7 months ago
@chrismx24 only an american would consider an opinion an argument xD
Morrighaine 7 months ago 2
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@MechoMadness How exactly is substituting 'Port Authority' for 'Thames Water Authority', or '1993' for '1973', dumbing down or diluting the original? What's 'dumb' is your shameless anti-American chauvinism - something that Laurie would be mightily unimpressed with. I'm British, by the way, but, more importantly, an internationalist. My advice? Shut up.
StonefieldJim4 8 months ago
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@StonefieldJim4
- Firstly. I was referring to his changing the line: "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me,
I'd be foolish to ignore the possibility" To: "Hated me..."
- Secondly. H. Laurie may work in the USA these days, but, that does not change the fact that the scripts to all 4 series of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" are CHOCK-FULL of anti-Americanisms.
- Thirdly. I couldn't give a toss what you might think. Carry on assuming.
- Fourthly. Your message has been flagged as spam, NOT by me I might add.
MechoMadness 8 months ago 23
@MechoMadness I've just watched all 4 series (and pilot) over the past week and you are indeed correct...
Then again, everyone takes the piss outta the Yanks...
DrBuggles1 7 months ago 4
@MechoMadness Actually he flipped the two phrases. He said Taken a violent dislike to me at the end of the verse rather than at the beginning. When you don't perform a song in some time things like that happen on occasion, even to someone as brilliant as Hugh Laurie.
Stephen and Hugh were never Anti-American. They poked fun at Americans but they also poked fun at the UK and anyone else they felt like roasting.
You can get over yourself now.
greyseagirl 6 months ago
@MechoMadness HA, your arguments are ridiculous.Changing that line has nothing to do with dumbing down the song for Americans, not to mention he added "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me" in the later part of the verse, its just switched. Seems like you're just trying to find a bad excuse to make fun of a country, your ignorant patriotic-ism and anti-americanism makes me laugh, same goes for anyone who gave this guy a thumb up
anbui123 6 months ago
@anbui123
Contrary to the assumption you've made, I am neither ignorant OR patriotic (I can assure you that I "slag off" my own country and its people on a regular basis). I'm not necessarily anti-American either... I was talking specifically about a certain type of American -> the easily-pleased, whooping American that always populate the audience on these mainstream TV shows. This version is bland & unfunny, the original is perfectly-timed hilarity. Just my opinion.
MechoMadness 6 months ago 3
Is he AMAZING or what?! :-D
Kiefer89 8 months ago
This is from the pilot of Fry and Laurie! But why is it simplified? It makes it less funny.
TheCR155 8 months ago 3
@TheCR155
It's word for the word the same version, he's a bit older now so of course he is not going put on such a goofy voice when he sings. I prefer this version actually. Got a good vibe and still cheeky and funny
hitman212121 8 months ago
@hitman212121 In this version he's changed a couple of the lines so that they're less likely to offend the Americans. Also the genius of the original was the way he sung it, not the words. In this he doesn't do it nearly as well
TheCR155 8 months ago
Comment removed
pokerbaby7 7 months ago
@TheCR155 I dont think it was taken out to keep from offending Americans. I do stand-up and when I am in certian areas I change some jokes around and use local locations and phrases to make the joke fresher and more current for the audience. Using port authority was just to make it more relevent to the New Yorkers that he was playing in front of. And changing the date makes since because he wanted it to amount to the same time frame as the original. Maybe hechangedtheother linebecausehewanted2
pokerbaby7 7 months ago 2
@hitman212121 I agree completely with you. I like both versions but this one is a bit more subtle and not quite as forced or overdone. I actually found the easier delivery made it funnier. Frankly the original felt a lot more like Hugh was trying too hard, this is just naturalistic.
switchbuckle4th 8 months ago
@hitman212121
"It's word for word the same version..."
Frankly, you're quite wrong.
MechoMadness 8 months ago
@TheCR155 How exactly is it simplified? Watch them back to back, this one the accent thing he's doing is a bit more subtle but other than that and a few minor word changes it's the exact same thing.
switchbuckle4th 8 months ago
@switchbuckle4th Some of the lines have been changed to be better for the Americans. But the main thing is the way he sings it, in the original it's like he's making it up as he goes along. This one isn't as good, it looks more practised
TheCR155 8 months ago
@TheCR155 See I actually disagree with that. I think this one feels looser and less rehearsed than the original. I like the original, but as I said in another comment here I think the original feels overdone and forced precisely because of the way he delivered it. This version feels a lot more relaxed and confident to me, and I like that about it.
switchbuckle4th 8 months ago
@switchbuckle4th What I liked about the original was the way he seemed to take a while to find the next word. It was like he was just making it up as he went along
TheCR155 8 months ago
@TheCR155 I can appreciate that. I like that a lot too. The reason I like this version is because it's delivered so subtly and smoothly that it's almost like the singer (Hugh obviously) doesn't realize how ridiculous a song he's written. Like he's so thrilled with himself that it never occurs to him just how marvelously silly it is.
switchbuckle4th 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is a diluted, dumbed-down version for American viewers.
For the original (and funny) version, search for this:
A Bit of Fry and Laurie - "Mystery" song
MechoMadness 8 months ago 56
Comment removed
StonefieldJim4 8 months ago
It's nearly the exact same thing save for a very few and slight, not at all dumbed-down wording changes. In point of fact the only thing I see as having been changed is the "port authority" bit, which is granted an Americanization but in fact means the same exact thing and instead of "hated me" he says "you might have taken a really violent dislike to me." which I actually find funnier. And of course the obvious year change. Really the only difference to me is this one isn't as forced.
switchbuckle4th 8 months ago
@switchbuckle4th
"Hated me... I'd be foolish to ignore the possibility", is sung in THIS version. "Taken a violent dislike to me" is sung in the original version, so which is it you find funnier?
MechoMadness 8 months ago
In the original version, upon just double checking, he says "taken a violent dislike to me...I'd be foolish to ignore that if we ever actually met you might have hated me." and in this version he says "Hated me!...I'd be foolish to ignore that if we ever actually met you might have taken a really violent dislike to me." So in this one he says the same thing he just switches the placement of the lines. I find both versions to be funny, and actually think the placement here has more punch to it.
switchbuckle4th 8 months ago
@MechoMadness Wow, I don't even know where to start.
Fist of all, your arrogance towards American viewers (are they even american?) is very unflattering. I see this often from British people on youtube comments, but I'm not going to start thinking you're an arrogant people.
Secondly, the only difference in the lyrics is 'port' instead of 'themswater', which is logical for a non-British audience.
Thirdly, any other differences (the voice, the' practiced sound') are probably more due to his age.
Tr1ploid 8 months ago
@MechoMadness Why do you have to come to a hugh laurie vid and show us Brits as a bunch of awkward pretentious twats. Theres one line in this thats different. The only dumbed down and diluted thing here is you.
ProperMuzik 7 months ago 6
Comment removed
MechoMadness 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@ProperMuzik
1) I must say I'm flattered that you think that I (one man who dares dislike a lazily-performed, clumsily-delivered, "Oprah Winfrey'd" version of an otherwise excellent Hugh Laurie song) has the power to taint the whole British nation as a bunch of: "awkward pretentious twats". Thank you.
2) "Theres one line in this thats different" [sic]. Nope, you're wrong, pay attention.
3) Please explain your last sentence. Strange.
MechoMadness 7 months ago
Comment removed
thestudyofstuff 7 months ago
@MechoMadness
I see what you mean. He switched the order of "Hated me" and "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me" (yes, that line is still in this version), changed "Thames Port Authority" to "Port Authority" and says "1993" instead of "1973" (and rescales the years since then appropriately). That totally changes the meaning of the whole song.
TheBohmian 7 months ago 50
@TheBohmian
For better? or....Hehe
LilithLorelai 4 months ago
@MechoMadness How is this version diluted or dumbed-down? The versions are more or less the same. What a silly thing to say.
PWBQLY 6 months ago
@PWBQLY
I stand by what I originally wrote AND my subsequent replies. Feel free to think that it was silly. Enjoy yourself.
MechoMadness 6 months ago 4
@MechoMadness
I may be digging up an old thread but it seems you avoid the issue. What part of the song is watered down. All I see is that a few lines were switched around and the port authority bit was changed. A bit of light on the dumbed down bit would be helpful
muffin8or 6 months ago
@muffin8or See my last reply, but it's the actual performance itself that I consider dumbed down - the delivery. And yes, I really hate the fact that the "Taken-a-violent-dislike-to-me..." line has been switched. Switched to the point where it no longer works. It's 'Mystery-lite'.
MechoMadness 6 months ago 4
@MechoMadness
If the delivery was the main issue then may I say he was about 50 when he recorded this and he doesn't sing for a living any more. His voice is less versatile and powerful than in the original. But also consider this; for him to put on the weird voice he did would tarnish his reputation as a serious actor. What you are doing is pretending it's still 1987 and Hugh plays the comic idiot. It isn't dumbed-down; it's times moving on. Be glad he did a throwback to his old career.
muffin8or 6 months ago
@muffin8or
I take your point. Thank you for disagreeing whilst not insulting me.
MechoMadness 6 months ago
@MechoMadness
I am insulted that you would not further this discussion. Do you agree with me or not?
muffin8or 6 months ago
@muffin8or
No. I do not agree with you, but as you are kind enough to write your replies in English, I've decided to take your points on board.
MechoMadness 6 months ago
@MechoMadness
In what way do you take them on board. Has your opinion evolved or have you understood context more? It's no wonder you seem to try people's patience
muffin8or 6 months ago
@muffin8or I mean: "Hmm... I s'pose I can see what he means". But, it doesn't change the fact that I hate this performance & have every right to do so. Taking your comment into account, perhaps he was unwise to revisit this song in the first place? Try people's patience? Hardly. A few Americans got (as they might say themselves) "pissed", because they took umbrage at an innocent comment I made on a relatively obscure Hugh Laurie song and assumed I was belittling their whole country's culture.
MechoMadness 6 months ago
@MechoMadness
I agree this was a performance for Americans and Laurie's original and, by no contest, best was for us Brits. I think he was right to do so as it shows him as having another dimension to the Americans who see him as just being the serious character House. I don't look at this as him trying to be funny, I see it as an accomplished man looking back at his career and pulling out one of his best moments. Just the way that he says he wrote it a long time ago makes it quite powerful
muffin8or 6 months ago
@muffin8or Ah my friend! Exactly what I was thinking. He can't be a maniac in front of a US audience that only know him as hard ass Dr. House
jaryd12345 6 months ago
@muffin8or Love the "comic idiot" vs "serious actor" comparison. You can't BE a serious actor if you can't PLAY "comic idiots" as well. It's possible that he feels, and rightfully so, that the american audience, which is, practically, paying him at the moment, would be taken aback if he'd pull "old Hugh" out of the hat and would disapprove of that. Oh, sweet, sweet irony...
marcusgaius 5 months ago
@marcusgaius
-.- I said 'plays the comic idiot.' You can be a serious actor if you can't play comic idiots. People have strengths in different areas. You're just being odd.
muffin8or 5 months ago
@muffin8or Pardon me, but an actor that can't interpret a role (any role) in a play (other than roles that exclude based on age/gender/body type/height/hair color, ofcourse) is hardly much of an actor, if you ask me.
I believe you're familiar with Hugh's work, so I will assume you've seen the 1993 film "Peter's Friends". That film alone and Hugh's part in it show you how wide can be a characteral range of an actor.
marcusgaius 5 months ago
@marcusgaius
Just because you consider Hugh to be a serious actor and have seen him in a variety of roles does not prove your point. Daniel Radcliffe, to me was not believable in the final harry potter films, doesn't mean he's a bad actor, or not serious. Stephen Fry, good actor and performer, can't play the comic idiot (hence why Hugh did) Alan Rickman - great at playing the villain, not as great with more emotionally sensitive characters - and his accents good be better. You can have a mixture
muffin8or 5 months ago
@muffin8or if you think Stephen Fry isn't comic and Alan Rickman isn't emotional you are sorely sorely mistaken and really need to brush up on your research, also it's called being an ACTOR it's their job and they do it rather well
superlittleboots 4 months ago
@superlittleboots
You evidently misread my comment. I said Stephen Fry isn't the comic IDIOT and Alan Rickman isn't AS GREAT at playing sensitive characters as he is villains. They are good all round but better in some areas. If you think actors are either good or bad across the board then you are sorely mistaken
muffin8or 4 months ago
@muffin8or they are though, you seemed to have missed half of their work
superlittleboots 4 months ago
@superlittleboots
They can play the roles but are better in some than others.
muffin8or 4 months ago
bueeeeeeeeeen videooooooooooooooooooooooooo house
rikardo389 8 months ago
The looks. The accent. The acting skills. The charm. The VOICE. WTH. WHY IS HE SO PERFECT. TAKE ME NOW, BABY. ♥ xD
MangoStarrx3 8 months ago 5
@MangoStarrx3 Well, there are sixty million with his accent you know :P
TheBeatleboy64 8 months ago
@TheBeatleboy64 Well uhm. Y'know. Yeah. Pretty much. xD LOL
MangoStarrx3 8 months ago
@MangoStarrx3 haha btw have you noticed (or has anyone in the USA) him in 'Friends'? He's the Brit on the plane when Rachel's going to London, but I have no idea if people over there have realised that it's the same person as House lol XD
TheBeatleboy64 8 months ago
@TheBeatleboy64 LOL i saw that! I was like wait a minute. That's..... HUGHHHHH <3 I'm so glad you brought this up, because i've never heard anyone say anything either~
MangoStarrx3 8 months ago
@MangoStarrx3 LOL then people clearly aren't noticing! Not surprised because people in the States know him for House (some might not know he's English haha) but over here he's really famous for stuff long before that.
I actually prefer him in loads of things compared to House XD
TheBeatleboy64 8 months ago
@TheBeatleboy64 Hrm, they SHOULD know he's English seeing as how that's all the interviewers ever talk about, "Oh, your not really American, are you?" "Can you do your american accent?" "Oh, now do yours," "So your dad was a doctor" -__- lol.
MangoStarrx3 8 months ago
@MangoStarrx3 Yeah that's true, it seems to be all they go on about- although it confuses us over here, because of course House wasn't what made him famous. Good to see he's finally made it over the Atlantic though lol
TheBeatleboy64 8 months ago
I really enjoy Hugh Laurie's stuff
jmfig 8 months ago
Stop feeding the troll, people... It's obvious that this person is just playing with you.
togolynn 8 months ago
18 people must have just...accidentally hit the 'dislike' button. Yeah! That's got to be it! *loads shotgun*
SeeMyStitches 8 months ago
Octomoose is trolling you all.. obviously
kentrel2 8 months ago
And his faces are so funnyyyy aaahahah! I was drinking milk when I was watching me i spilled it outta my nose, i cleaned it up, but it did leave a stain, and when my mom came home, she asked me is that sperm... hahahahah omg i thought i'll pass out i was laughing that hard hahahah xD
VolimPartizan3333 8 months ago
Dead since 1993...You've been dead now...Wait a minute, let me see...14 years come next...Janu-a-reeeee...As a human beeing, you're a HISTORY!!! xD xD xD xD hahahahah Hugh IS A GENIUS!
VolimPartizan3333 8 months ago
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VolimPartizan3333 8 months ago
A mysteryyyyy
His love with Cuddy and Cameron was a mysterryyyyyy
But he and Cuddy were meant to beeeeee hahahah xD
VolimPartizan3333 8 months ago
lol native english speakers have such a high voice
bstonebalboa 9 months ago
@OctoMoose fucking hell you are the stupiest person ive seen on youtube so far.. well done
fraserbification 9 months ago
1:00 Pedobear Approves! 1:00
astikel 9 months ago 3
@OctoMoose your stupidity is truly a mystery.
ukrainetrip06 9 months ago
Wow, Octomoose, you're pretty stupid.
anonymousLeroy 9 months ago
Mystery
zerox144 9 months ago
Who Wouldn't want to be Hugh, I mean come on the man is a genius ! Nobody else could have been Dr. House!
ReaperOfPestilence 9 months ago 2
@KISSxMExIMxIRISH19 Who cares about Steve fry? Who made him the say all on Hugh Laurie? it is not an argument because there is no exchange of conflicting thoughts. I said my stuff , you blindly defended some magical alternate universe where people can be born where we want them to be despite the facts.
OctoMoose 9 months ago