"A Bit of Fry and Laurie" (1987) TV series 1987-1995

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

30 May 2003 (Finland)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

As the title suggests, "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" is less of a specific format than a 'coat-hanger' for short sketches...

Plot Keywords:

Satire | Monologue | Based On Radio Show | Musical Number | Social Satire

Cast

Stephen Fry	...	Various Characters (26 episodes, 1987-1995)
Hugh Laurie	...	Various Characters (26 episodes, 1987-1995)

Series Directed by
Roger Ordish		(13 episodes, 1987-1990)
Bob Spiers		(7 episodes, 1995)
Kevin Bishop		(6 episodes, 1992)

Series Writing credits
Stephen Fry		(26 episodes, 1987-1995)
Hugh Laurie		(26 episodes, 1987-1995)

Series Produced by
Roger Ordish	....	producer (13 episodes, 1987-1990)
Nick Symons	....	producer (12 episodes, 1990-1992)
Janice Thomas	....	assistant producer (7 episodes, 1995)
Kevin Bishop	....	producer (6 episodes, 1992)
Jon Plowman	....	producer (2 episodes, 1995)

Series Original Music by
Hugh Laurie		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Chris Booth		(7 episodes, 1987-1989)
Lee Eynon		(7 episodes, 1995)
Damian Raistrick		(6 episodes, 1990)
Vic Vine		(6 episodes, 1990)
Mark Lawrence		(6 episodes, 1992)
Rob Poole		(4 episodes, 1995)
Colin Jones		(3 episodes, 1992)

Series Production Design by
Victor Meredith		(7 episodes, 1989-1990)
Grenville Horner		(7 episodes, 1995)
Steve Keogh		(6 episodes, 1992)
Steve Sharratt		(6 episodes, 1992)
Paul Munting		(5 episodes, 1990)

Series Costume Design by
Sarah Burns		(7 episodes, 1995)
Jan Hughes		(6 episodes, 1989)
Richard Croft		(6 episodes, 1990)
Lyn Avery		(6 episodes, 1992)
Anna Stubley		(3 episodes, 1992)

Series Makeup Department
Jayne Buxton	....	hair designer / makeup designer (7 episodes, 1995)
Martha Livesley	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1990)
Benita Barrell	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1992)
Judith Morgan	....	makeup designer (5 episodes, 1989)

Series Production Management
Babara Jones	....	production manager (12 episodes, 1989-1990)
Gareth Carrivick	....	production manager (7 episodes, 1995)
John L. Spencer	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1992)
Richard Valentine	....	production manager (3 episodes, 1992)
Terry Pettigrew	....	production manager (2 episodes, 1992)

Series Art Department
Bernard Heyes	....	graphic designer (13 episodes, 1992-1995)
Bob Warans	....	production buyer (7 episodes, 1995)
Liz Jones	....	graphic designer (6 episodes, 1989)
Paul Richmond	....	properties buyer (6 episodes, 1989)
Chris Ferriday	....	properties buyer (6 episodes, 1990)
Andrew Smee	....	graphic designer (6 episodes, 1990)
Amanda George	....	properties buyer (6 episodes, 1992)
Oliver Elmes	....	graphic designer (4 episodes, 1990)

Series Sound Department
Stuart Moser	....	film sound (7 episodes, 1995)
Laurie Taylor	....	sound supervisor (7 episodes, 1995)
Keith Gunn	....	sound (6 episodes, 1989)
Tony Revell	....	sound (6 episodes, 1990)
Jem Whippey	....	sound supervisor (6 episodes, 1992)
Michael Spencer	....	film recordist (5 episodes, 1992)

Series Visual Effects by
Andy McVean	....	visual effects (1 episode, 1992)

Series Stunts
Steve Dent	....	stunt coordinator (2 episodes, 1995)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Roger Goss	....	camera supervisor (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
John Vincent	....	camera supervisor (11 episodes, 1989-1995)
Graham Rimmington	....	lighting director (8 episodes, 1987-1995)
Robert Pascal	....	film camera (7 episodes, 1995)
Duncan Brown	....	lighting (6 episodes, 1989)
Alan Horne	....	lighting (6 episodes, 1990)
John Daly	....	film camera (6 episodes, 1992)
Chris Kempton	....	lighting director (6 episodes, 1992)
Chris Miller	....	camera supervisor (5 episodes, 1992)
William Dudman	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1990)
David Whitaker	....	camera supervisor (2 episodes, 1992)

Series Editorial Department
Carol Abbott	....	vision mixer (10 episodes, 1989-1990)
Heather Gilder	....	vision mixer (6 episodes, 1992)
Hilary West	....	vision mixer (5 episodes, 1995)
Kathryn Randall	....	vision mixer (3 episodes, 1989-1992)
Hilary Briegel	....	vision mixer (3 episodes, 1995)

Series Music Department
Simon Brint	....	musical director / composer: incidental music (9 episodes, 1992-1995)
Philip Pope	....	composer: theme music / musical director (8 episodes, 1990-1992)
Harry Stoneham	....	composer: title music (6 episodes, 1989)
Camille Saint-Saëns	....	composer: theme music: closing theme (3 episodes, 1990)

Series Other crew
Jon Canter	....	script editor (12 episodes, 1990-1992)
John Latus	....	resource coordinator (7 episodes, 1995)
Rebecca Martin	....	production assistant (7 episodes, 1995)
Michael Towner	....	assistant floor manager (7 episodes, 1995)
Trudy Waldron	....	production secretary (7 episodes, 1995)
Sally Bates	....	production team (6 episodes, 1989)
Bill Cole	....	technical coordinator (6 episodes, 1989)
Lydia Setton	....	production team (6 episodes, 1989)
Julia Hancock	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1990)
Ray Hider	....	technical coordinator (6 episodes, 1990)
Terry Pettigrew	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1990)
Simon Foster	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1992)
Mike Spencer	....	film recordist (6 episodes, 1992)
Valerie Wilson	....	production assistant / script supervisor (6 episodes, 1992)
Lance Wood	....	resource coordinator (6 episodes, 1992)
Nicky Hinkley	....	choreographer (2 episodes, 1990)
Melanie O'Toole	....	design assistant (2 episodes, 1990)
Richard Laxton	....	assistant floor manager (2 episodes, 1992)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

UK:30 min (26 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:PG | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

[Stephen enters a bookshop. Hugh is the assistant. Stephen stares at Hugh for a long time]
[holding up a book]
Stephen:Did you write this?
[examining book]
Hugh:Jane Eyre. No, that was Charlotte Brontë as a matter of fact.
Stephen:Right. Well, I'd like to see her then please.
Hugh:I'm afraid she's no longer with us.
Stephen:Oh? Indeed? I can hardly say I'm surprised. Where can I get in touch with her?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "De wereld draait door: Episode #4.35" (2008)

"Oh Christ, I've Left The Iron On!"

Monty Python's footballing philosophers sketch is a good example of the painful varsity guff that has been a part of British TV and radio right up until today's 'League of Gentlemen'. It isn't what Fry and Laurie do at all. They plough a completely original furrow of snatched conversation, admass and inane banter that forms an impressionistic picture of the most baffling and frustrating 'bits' of the British experience.

A collection of sketches and routines that could well baffle some foreign viewers who may not understand the love/hate relationship that most sensible Britons have with their country. For example, in mentioning the town 'Utoxeter' Fry and Laurie are able to throw the audience completely. One viewer may remember a trip to the town, another may never have been there but is able to wonder quite how unpleasant/pleasant it may be. Some will know that there is a race track there but know no more. And we all get to celebrate a name that is bound to be far more interesting than the place it's self. Don't let that put you off. Most of their material is more universal than this example implies. It's this kind of circular thinking that Fry and Laurie spend most of their time exploiting while also chucking in TV show pastiche, songs and quite a few traditional 'shop sketches' that simply leave Monty Python wheezing on the touch-line. What I mean is that random elements are seemingly clumsily adhered to tried and tested comedy formulae to create something quite striking and original.

It's not to everyone's taste but if you believe that stupidity and intelligence are the two vital sides of the comedy coin then this pair may be for you.