Attention, TV Squad readers, my friends and fellow television fans, it's time to announce the winner for The Excellence in Outsourcing Award, that is, the foreign actor who possesses the best American accent. There were many worthy nominees, but the overwhelming winner was House, MD himself, actor Hugh Laurie. That Englishman, one of her majesty's loyal subjects, has been making us all believe that he's just a Jersey boy. As Dr. Gregory House of Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, he sounds like he was born in south Jersey, spent his summers in Asbury Park, and is as much a Garden Stater as Bruce Springsteen and Tony Soprano.
Hugh Laurie's background in British comedy was where he perfected foreign accents, including the American one he uses on House. He was a veteran of British TV, having done the comedies Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster. He'd been making movies, including Sense and Sensibility and 101 Dalmatians before taking House. The story goes that Hugh was in Namibia filming Flight of the Phoenix when he received word from his agent that he was being asked to read for a new drama series for U.S. television.
Since he was in a remote location in Africa, he had to put his audition on tape. The only place in his hotel room with enough light to film the reading was in the bathroom. Using his American accent, Hugh nailed the audition. His performance was spot on and the American accent so right that it convinced executive producer Bryan Singer that Hugh Laurie -- a real American -- was just right for the role. Singer was floored when told that Hugh was born and raised in Oxford, England. Want to know how good Laurie was in that reading -- take a look at this video; it's Hugh's actual audition!
Another interesting thing about Hugh Laurie's casting on House: he thought he was being cast as the second banana. He believed that Wilson was the lead character. Wilson was described in the pages as handsome and boyish, so Laurie figured the sardonic, grouchy House had to be comic relief. It was only when he was cast and received the pilot script that he discovered that the show was called House MD, and he was the star!
Hugh Laurie's victory was nearly unanimous among the TV Squad staff. Readers voting in the poll concurred, making Hugh a double winner. Jamie Bamber of Battlestar Galactica was second to Hugh in both races, too.
In addition to a terrific American accent, Hugh Laurie is also a funny guy with an acerbic, wry sense of humor. We think he'd be tickled to know that TV Squad has bestowed upon him a unique honor, one he most assuredly deserves, The Excellence in Outsourcing Award.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-06-2008 @ 5:59PM
Ari said...
LAURIE ROCKS! Completely deserved! Next award must be an EMMY!
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6-07-2008 @ 4:55PM
Terri said...
Hugh definitely deserves that award, an many others! Let's make a brief list of his accomplishments/abilities...
1) Musician -drummer, guitarist, pianist, saxophonist
2) Songwriter - When you can write a love song that ends with a lyric like "Dead since 1993, you've been dead now . . . wait a minute let me see, fifteen years come next
Jan-you-a-ree, as a human being you are history..." you KNOW you are in the presence of genius or at least someone clinically insane (same difference!)
3) Novelist - He wrote the criticially acclaimed comedy spy thriller, "The Gun Seller" which is destined for the big screen since the rights were already bought by United Artists and Hugh has written the screenplay already.
4) World class athlete - nearly followed in his fathers footsteps by making it into the Olympics in rowing (his dad won the gold medal for heavens sakes!) but a bout of mononucleosis sidelined him and made him turn his attention to acting instead. His latest hobby is boxing and I for one wouldn't want to get in the ring with him.
5) Stuntman - NO ONE can take a pratfall like this guy. Just watch some of the old Fry and Laurie skits and you will see what I mean.
6) Real life hero - "I was about 18. I nabbed this chap on Kensington Church Street. He was running out of a leather-goods shop, loaded with stuff, and I brought him down to the pavement, held him there till the police arrived. You can't get much more creepy." - Independent on Sunday, May 12, 1991. And let us not forget how he saved Sacha Cohen (aka Borat) from getting his ass kicked after the SNL appearance!
7) Graduated from Cambridge with degrees in both Archeology and Anthropology (Indiana Laurie?) although he will be the first to say that he was a poor student. Ummm...sure Hugh, whatever you say. Which brings me to number,
8) Humble humanitarian - he is the most self-depreciating actor out there and is always finding ways to contribute his time to charity.
Sorry for rambling but this guy is the real deal. A true polymath (aka renaissance man) in the highest sense of the word. :::getting off of the soapbox now::: :-)
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6-07-2008 @ 5:09PM
Terri said...
Oh and he has the most gorgeous blue eyes and yes the accent is amazing.....
OH OH I FORGOT ONE MORE THING!!!
9) The man can DANCE! Check out his moves from the movie "Girl From Rio" here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MKArEwKibtc
Samba dancing is one of the hardest latin dance styles to master which is why the competitions they hold every year is somewhat legendary. Hugh picked it up in just a few lessons which astounded his gorgeous co-star. She was worried because he is british and they are not known for letting their guard down and letting loose. She said she was truly astounded by him. Take a number and get in line honey ;-)
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