“America is Too Big to Know Itself” | Hugh Laurie on Working in the US vs UK | Edinburgh TV Festival

Award-winning actor, director, singer, musician, screenwriter and author, Hugh Laurie CBE received the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Outstanding Achievement Award at the prestigious 2019 TV Awards, and discussed House, working in the US versus the UK, and why it’s so difficult to make dramas about suicide.

#HughLaurie #Roadkill #EdTVFest

[sadiemcnabb]

My favorite House episode was when Hugh Laurie had to play an American attempting a British accent. Comedy gold.

[Innovate]

In a 10 minute sound bite Hugh displayed an incredible range of awareness. From self awareness to societal awareness and much in between. A beautiful mind indeed.

[nickcoulter]

I'm from the Midwest (american), and I can say confidently that if you were to play every clip of Hugh from House for me and my peers, nobody would ever be able to guess that he is from the UK.

[trueblueguy]

My daughter was in 8th grade when she started watching Dr House and from then on she decided to be a doctor and amazingly she now is in medical school!! You inspired so many!

[melissayoung]

My husband is from Scotland and when he moved to the states in 1998 he said to me Americans don’t realize how big of a country it is. Very interesting hearing Hugh basically say the same thing.

[MikePattison]

As a lifelong American, I can say that his American accent is better than mine. I was shocked to learn he was brittish. House was 100% believable.

[alanmusicman]

I have nothing but admiration for Hugh Laurie who is modest but immensely accomplished - he and Stephen Fry represent the best of their generation in intellect and consistent quality of work.

[viewfromthehillswift]

For a time at Cambridge University, the student drama troupe included Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry. Must have been amazing.

[uniqueone]

I am a disabled veteran ( USMC ) after a few back surgeries I ended up with having to use a Cain that for some reason I was really embarrassed about. My wife had discovered the show house around season 4 of the show and introduced me to it. I have a similar sense of humor as house so quickly feel in love with show. I found a carbon fiber Cain with flames and off I went with a completely new attitude being disabled and it honestly helped me through a dark spot in my life… I personally believe that no one could play House better than Hugh Laurie did… ❤

[bbtboyMN]

1:40 he’s totally underselling how brilliant his accent was, i grew up Loving house one of the biggest shocks of my life was finding out house was English like years later

[bakeymykakey]

as a brit i always found it bizarre when i was young that many americans didn’t have passports, but this sums it up very well, such a broad and diverse country, you’d never need to leave to experience some of the most beautiful aspects of geography in the world

[Mpshfromlowell]

As an American, I have three things to say about this video:

1) Hugh Laurie’s American accent is just about flawless.

2) The comment about America being too big to know itself is very interesting. I have often told people from other countries visiting the USA that there is no such thing as a typical American; the country is just too big and diverse.

3) Mr. Laurie’s comment about a drama addressing mental health issues makes me think of MASH, a comedy-drama from the 1970’s that takes place in an American Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. A recurring character on this show was a psychiatrist named Dr. Freedman (Alan Arbus) who occasionally shows up to address a mental health crisis brought about by the trauma of war. The episodes in which Dr. Freedman appeared were among the best in the series…..

[nerfherder]

No other show dealt with opioid addiction like House, a truly great show made great by Hugh Laurie and some excellent writing and supporting cast. Everything he touches is better for it.

[jorymil]

"Too big to know itself." That's one of the best descriptions of my country I've ever heard.

[kyleelsbernd]

Obviously Laurie "gets" us in the US -- his accent reflects his deep understanding. His comment on Americans but up and working at 5 am is spot on. Many Europeans think they understand the US but Laurie actually seems to understand.

[jordanschooley]

One of the most remarkable things I’ve seen was Hugh Laurie’s screen test for House. You can probably find it somewhere here. Someone out of the shot said “action!” And Laurie BECAME House - before uttering a single word. It gave me new respect for acting and for Hugh Laurie in particular.

[SylviusTheMad]

I once knew a barmaid who was born and raised in Wimbledon by Glaswegian parents. Her accent was an adventure.

[matthewmillburg]

I still freak out when I see Bertie Wooster diagnosing people

[Isthatyoudermot]

He is absolutely correct. I am from Ireland, I have lived in the US for 18 yrs.
America is way too big to know itself.
It's not right or wrong, but it just true.
Great interview. Grew up watching Fry and Laurie. Have always loved Hugh Laurie.

[savannahm.laurentian]

I love that Laurie is sharp enough to see the presenter trying to lodge insults about Americans in nearly every question she asks. Not only does he not bite, he genuinely shows admiration. One of my favs of all time.