Reader Comments (from earlier versions of this site)
Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the form. I've heard from people in seven different countries on four continents. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I try to answer all questions individually, but have included some of the answers here for the benefit of other readers. Most people discovered Hugh in Blackadder, although U.S. respondents were about equally likely to have seen him first in Jeeves and Wooster. J and W ran away with the contest for favorite performance, getting more than twice as many votes as the runner-ups, a tie between Blackadder and A Bit of Fry & Laurie. Jeeves and Wooster and Blackadder tied as the two performances most people had seen. Hugh's fans seem to make an effort to catch his work - two-thirds of you have seen all three of his major television series and at least two of his films.
Some specific comments (some comments have been edited slightly for purposes of clarity):
Neva
Vadeboncoeur (paisley@inreach.com),CA, USA: Peggy,I am stunned and
not a little bit gobsmacked. First off, the page is just stunning. It's
so lean and clean and graceful and lovely. Your images are smashing.
I'm totally impressed by your feedback page and am too awe-struck to
speak further until I've had another cup of coffee and can re-read it
thoroughly. Hugh will love it.
Arleigh Hood (naj@baynet.net), Ontario,Canada: I found Hugh's name on a BA web page - Sup's I think - and then decided that Hugh was quite nice looking by the time BA III was being aired. By BAIV I was gone, the eternal sucker for a man in uniform. Great job, Peggy. Forgive the laxness of my answers, but you know all this already. I just wanted to confirm my status as a Hugh fan by filling this out. The FAQ looks fabulous. What else can I say.
N.Merrill: An excellent and appreciated source of information.Thanks.
Carrie (ar793@yfn.ysu.edu), USA: Love the page.
Cathie Blake, Devon, UK: Didn't really think you could improve on it, but this version is heaps better. Love the pictures - worth every penny of my internet subscription fee.
Joel Short (shortjm@aol.com), California: Thanks for the site--he seems like a really nice guy. I have especially enjoyed him in Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster. I'm going to track down a copy of The Gun Seller right away.
Paul Simms: Hugh how did you get involved in comedy. Any advice for a budding comedian.
[Author's note: The first part of this is answered on the A Bit More... page.]
No name by request: Honestly, I Love all of Hugh's work, it's so hard to choose one. I think that Hugh Laurie is such a good looking talented comedic actor. I hope we will be seeing more of him on television and on the big screen. No matter what role he plays, you fall for him because of his child like innocence. I wish Hugh Laurie lots of continued success in everything he does.
Jonathan Horner (jonathan.horner@clear.net.nz): In the event that this does reach Hugh Laurie... I have to commend the 'Gun Seller' as being an extremely well written book. Having picked it up in a sale for $4.99; I am not exactly helping your publication company or agent; but I did thoroughly enjoy it. Please do write a second book.
No name by request: Jeeves and Wooster [is] the most intelligently comically fullfilling show. One can't help but look forward to seeing it. I only wish there were more quotes [in the FAQ] from Mr. Laurie.
Charles Harden Tharp, US: Keep up the great work.
Veronica (Firenze01@aol.com), Texas: Great page. Thanks for finally putting something on the net about Hugh.
Sarah (MadeleineY@aol.com), Ohio: The FAQ is great.
t.lar (system7@mcmail.co), manchester, england: why are all the best sites u.s. we english do not happily aplaud our own talent. Thank you F & L you have brung lafter to an illiter8 un-ed-u-kated inglish publik.
Massachusetts: Hugh Laurie is a brilliant actor and should be admired by all. I first started my fascination with Mr. Laurie when I realised that he happened to be in all of my favourite tv programs, Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and A Bit of Fry and Laurie. Not only do I think he is a great actor but also extremely attractive and I still wonder why Hollywood hasn't realised this yet and cast him as a lead in a romantic comedy. Oh well there's still time. My one question is if there is a mailing address available to reach Mr. Laurie. I would so like to express my adoration for him.
[Author's note: See here for the answer to this question.]
Minda Laroya (rlaroya@sat.net), Texas: A million thanks and deep admiration goes to the author for satisfying Hugh fans with this, the most comprehensive Hugh Laurie pages on the web.
Kathryn Auty: There are a couple of things you missed off the site. I am pretty sure you can get The Gun Seller on Audio but you have to order it even over here.
Michele (Sholmes1@aol.com), Baltimore: It's hard to pick a fave. I love them all for different reasons. I think that anything that Hugh and Stephen have done together is brilliant.
Buffy (VZPQ31B@prodigy.com), New Jersey: You did a wonderful job with this. It made me get his book which I have started reading.
Courtney (Popflower@aol.com), Salt Lake City, UT: Your website is great. I've never seen so much info on Hugh in the same place.
Courtney Joseph (Jade571880@aol.com), California: I'm just glad to finally find info and sources that I can access from the US. No one I talk to here seems to have any idea who he is and I find that sad. I just wish that they would start showing more of his TV shows over here...they showed Jeeves and Wooster for a while but then they stopped.
Kochun Hu (khu@u.washington.edu) Washington State, USA: Lovely page - it was a real pleasure. It's difficult to be a fan of British humor when you're an American without television reception or cable but you've made it easy with your page...Thank Bog for PBS and the internet. Cheers.
Katie Nelson: My
only comment is that I am glad
that
someone finally got around to making a sight about Hugh Laurie. He is a
great great man and WE LOVE HIM.
Melanie Francisco: Thanks you for your page. In the US we have very little British celebrity info. If it's not making millions then they aren't mentioned. Ken and Emma are the exception. Now I'll be able to let my friend know who Fry and Laurie are. She doesn't know what she's missing. They are also very kind. Stephen Fry wrote me a letter in Jeeves' character. It's a favorite letter.
Tania Blanton (TCBlanton@aol.com), Texas: Along with Stephen Fry, Hugh is gorgeous. Too bad for me he's married.
Shawna Leonard (MoreTeaVic@aol.com), Ohio: Favorite: A Bit of Fry & Laurie. It is really hard to choose but I think that A Bit is the best way to see the pairing for the first time and is their definitive work. Comment: Wow. You certainly have done your homework on Mr.Laurie. Excellent F.A.Q.
Lara (echozone@geocities.com), Australia: I just love this site. Nice to know there's something on Laurie out there.
Bill Liles (bliles@micron.net), Boise, Idaho: I'm a jazz bassist and would enjoy playing in Mr.Laurie's fantasy trio. I greatly enjoyed his piano playing in the J & W series and wondered where he found all the cool old tunes: Forty-seven Ginger Headed Sailors, Ever so Goosie Goosie, Nagasaki,etc. Thanks.
Author's note: There are some knowledgeable people at alt.fan.wodehouse who might be able to help locate recordings or sheet music of these songs, or similar songs of the period. For sound files from the television series, check Derek Keevil's Jeeves and Wooster page.
Bailey(britboy@flash.net), Texas: I became an avid Hugh Laurie fan after viewing Jeeves and Wooster and thinking that he made the perfect Bertie Wooster. I immediately starting catching the Blackadder series on PBS and was delighted to find A Bit of Fry& Laurie on video soon after. His dramatic turn in Peter's Friends is another favorite. I hope Hollywood appreciates his range and versatility as much as I do. I recently saw on Entertainment Tonight that he's currently filming the film adaptation of Stuart Little with Geena Davis and Jonathan Lipnicki. It seems that he's worked with a lot of Hollywood's leading ladies - Emma Thompson, Glenn Close, Jessica Lange...hopefully this trend will continue. If Mr. Laurie ever peruses this site. I hope he knows that his work is greatly enjoyed and applauded.