Even before he became practically venerated as the dark, brooding medical genius on House, Hugh Laurie was already big with the Brits.  After a particularly sterling stint on the famous Cambridge Footlights group during college, Laurie, along with Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry, wrote and appeared on Alfresco, a comedy sketch show which had a two-season run.  Now unlike Monty Python's Flying Circus, Alfresco isn't really known to American audiences.  Yet judging from the huge hit that is Laurie's masterful portrayal on House, Americans may be a bigger fan of British comedy – or at least Laurie's – than we give them credit for.

According to critics, the two-disc DVD is still well worth watching if only for the big names who got their start on the show, such as Laurie, Thompson, Fry, and Robbie Coltrane of the Harry Potter film franchise.  Alfresco thus offers a look at Laurie way before House – some two decades, in fact – before House.  This is one of Laurie's earliest televised work.  That alone should be reason enough for any House fans to get a copy.

The bottom line is that the DVD hails from a quarter of a century ago featuring a current Emmy nominee for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and, according to critics, that alone should make it interesting and worth the $39.99 it goes for.  Do not expect a lot of laugh out loud moments here, they caution, as the humor is said to be very sophisticated, invoking some Shakesperean and philosophical references at times.  If you observe close enough, though, this kind of comedy is very clever and, ultimately, very satisfying.

Meanwhile, back to regular programming as the fifth season of House returns on September 16.  This is quite significant, as it comes a few days before the Emmys, where Laurie, as mentioned, is in contention for the Outstanding Lead Actor spot.  For the plum, Laurie submitted a “brilliant and brave, emotionally raw and simply stunning performance” courtesy of an episode called House's Head.


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Washington Times
(Image Courtesy of BBC)