Hugh: "Is there a sense in which you are not completely squalid and pointless" Stephen: "No, no, I've looked hard for one and in the end come out senseless" Fantastic!!!
Peter Johnson well I predicted that someone was likely to use the words "trifling matter"... (was actually going to do so myself actually, but other people beat me to it..!) {and yes, I know I just used two 'actually's} ;-)
If I knew what the word "limpid" meant, I would probably describe this sketch as that. But I don't, so I shall content myself with "melanacious". I don't know what that means either, but I shall content myself with it. Later, after lunching on englôute de badinage with beri-beri sauce washed down with a perky green wine from the Abruzzi region, I intend to muse on the meaning of the word "plangent".
I have a feeling this wasn't originally a sketch idea. I bet this was just Stephen and Hugh trying to think up a sketch, slouching in their chairs and then Stephen just ended up going.. "Oh lets just make this a sketch, Hugh." XD
*rests head on chair back* No, no it doesn't WORK for me no... it just seems endless..day to day.. people sit in the upright position which is all so predictable.. I find it very tedious. Does sitting normally work with you John?
Whenever the word 'Critic' , floats past my concious mind--I immediately think of that great opening scene in Mel Brooks brilliant comedy film--'' History of the world Part 1 '' The narrating voice ( Orson Wells ) tells us of the beginning of man's first creation of ART--on the cave wall--''First the BIRTH of the Artist , then, the Art Critic--(seen pissing over the painting ) ''THE AFTERBIRTH''.
Right around the time they started throwing the word "predictable" around, I realized this is exactly how CinemaSins views movies (although unironically).
Cinema sins is a prick. Like the one thing that annoyed me was the part in deathly hallows where Harry said to Draco “why didn’t you tell her?”, and immediately cinema sins butt’s in and says “tell her what?”, right when Harry was gonna say “you knew it was me, you didn’t say anything”; and he cuts out that part where harry says it. It’s just a desperate way to sound funny or right.
Hughs voice and laughter are so hilarious in this sketch! :D He's better with alternating his voice than Stpehen, but Stephen is better with the words and posh-characters. :)
Brilliant. But the more I watch these, the more I think how much these must have been deeply helpful for Fry in his personal life - writing these sketches with Hugh, and Hugh himself. Simply excellent.
I wonder if the 2 of them come up with every single sketch combined with the costumes and looks of the characters too? This work is genius. P.S. I had exceeded my amount of comments and so had to type stuff into that box that appears on such occasions. I don't knowif it's because f this sketch, or just general CZcams policy now, but whereas before we had to type in numbers and random letters, now it was a funny gibberish word of the type Fry and Laurie might use as their characters' names :)
Ordinarily, I'd comment on this by quoting it (to make myself sound like an interesting and impressive person), but even as a referential joke it's practically blasphemous. These two are comedic gods. Bravo to the pair of 'em!
@Emsyphine Oh, I agree 100%, they are both genius! (Guess I just haven't seen enough Stephen making different accents then. I have to listen more carefully from now on. XD ) I really LOVE this show and these brilliant men! Oh, how I hope they would make more Fry&Laurie, after all these years!
@CalmBlue doubt it, a squib is a type of firework, hence the saying "went off like a damp squib" when referring to something that has misfired or gone wrong.
They should've had a fourth part where the lie completely on the floor looking at the ceiling. And then a fifth one where there are in a whole, head first, and only their legs are showing. XD
'Do you think it was a fatal floor?' Gaaaaaaaaaaaa! Puns preserve us! Though luckily these comedy titans are the multi story bluewater shopping centres of comedy in that they work on many levels and have so much to offer, albeit avoiding gross lapses in quality and rampant commerciality that my tortured tautologic analogy conveyed of the latter rather than the former...and by that I do mean to sound impressive...maybe I should be a critic? I am slumped smugly in my chair as I write this...(;
Does anybody else get the sense that Stephen has to make an effort not to crack up at 3:05? Maybe it's not true. I don't know. But there does seem to be an amused curling of the lips, a raising of the eyebrows, a peculiar glint in his eyes... xD
Such a shame this sketch lacked the necessary originality. They could've at the very least added a nuclear explosion, a talking camel, a sentient tape recorder and a jetpack. This is so very drab isn't it?
Hugh: "Is there a sense in which you are not completely squalid and pointless"
Stephen: "No, no, I've looked hard for one and in the end come out senseless"
Fantastic!!!
Brilliant these two are!!
I love how the audience groaned at that "fatal floor" pun.
"By 'self-referential' you mean?"
"I mean to make myself sound like an interesting and impressive person."
As a film critic, I can confirm that this is EXACTLY how all critics talk, laugh, interact and slouch. =)
Even down to the trifle?
Oh, but isn't it all just a trifling matter, as predictable as it is.
Well I thought it was rather trifling...
hexonatapeloop Ah, I predicted that you'd mention the predictability.
Peter Johnson well I predicted that someone was likely to use the words "trifling matter"...
(was actually going to do so myself actually, but other people beat me to it..!)
{and yes, I know I just used two 'actually's} ;-)
"By the same token I was wondering if there is a critical standpoint yet devised by which you are any distance at all from being hideously repellant."
They truly were a brilliant pairing, linguistically speaking!
If I knew what the word "limpid" meant, I would probably describe this sketch as that. But I don't, so I shall content myself with "melanacious". I don't know what that means either, but I shall content myself with it. Later, after lunching on englôute de badinage with beri-beri sauce washed down with a perky green wine from the Abruzzi region, I intend to muse on the meaning of the word "plangent".
Yes, quite.
Absolutely
I want to frame this comment and keep it with me.
Another predictable commentary, to be honest..
Touche
"What did you think of the two central performances?"
"I'd've welcomed them."
Quite so. Quitely so. Quitely soington. Oh man that's hilarious :D
"What do you think about the two central performances?"
"I'd have welcomed them"
This cracks me up every time, just brilliant lol
I have a feeling this wasn't originally a sketch idea. I bet this was just Stephen and Hugh trying to think up a sketch, slouching in their chairs and then Stephen just ended up going.. "Oh lets just make this a sketch, Hugh." XD
Ha ha ha, huh, huh.
John Appleseed *slouches in chair* Sitting normally is so predictable, isn't it? xD
Yes, it's all on one note, you know? Does sitting ordinarily work for you?
*rests head on chair back* No, no it doesn't WORK for me no... it just seems endless..day to day.. people sit in the upright position which is all so predictable.. I find it very tedious. Does sitting normally work with you John?
***** *Lies flat.* Doesn't work for me, either. Does lying down for you, Daisy?
I didn't know David Letterman did a sketch with Stephen Fry.
"Where are the truths about relationships in England today, this afternoon, here, now, today, this evening, now" LOL that was brilliant
My parents after watching "The Hobbit"
12 critics how predictable
Mmm, yes.
You guys saw this video, I presume you were disappointed?
CaptainGrumpy I thought it was a bit predictable, really.
Daniel Hopmans You predicted it, did you?
well that last sketch was about critics.
Daniel Hopmans Where? *looks around worriedly*
CaptainGrumpy Well, the choice of targets was predictable.
This is essentially how I view most professional critics
Wow, Hugh Laurie's pulled off that arrogant snobbish intellectual look very well.
This is basically the youtube comments section.
Whenever the word 'Critic' , floats past my concious mind--I immediately think of that great opening scene in Mel Brooks brilliant comedy film--'' History of the world Part 1 '' The narrating voice ( Orson Wells ) tells us of the beginning of man's first creation of ART--on the cave wall--''First the BIRTH of the Artist , then, the Art Critic--(seen pissing over the painting ) ''THE AFTERBIRTH''.
"No no, THAT's my cup of tea"
Brilliant. Pure brilliance.
This comment.
Pretentiousness should always be attacked. Stephen's slouching in part II is so simply funny.
I liked the clever and original use of words
Part 3 as me in stitches... Predictably.
this sounds EXACTLY like my university teachers butchering my work over really stupid things xD
I love Hugh's little laugh in this!
Right around the time they started throwing the word "predictable" around, I realized this is exactly how CinemaSins views movies (although unironically).
Cinema sins mocks films for inconsistency but loves Scott Pilgrim
Cinema sins is a prick. Like the one thing that annoyed me was the part in deathly hallows where Harry said to Draco “why didn’t you tell her?”, and immediately cinema sins butt’s in and says “tell her what?”, right when Harry was gonna say “you knew it was me, you didn’t say anything”; and he cuts out that part where harry says it. It’s just a desperate way to sound funny or right.
Hughs voice and laughter are so hilarious in this sketch! :D
He's better with alternating his voice than Stpehen, but Stephen is better with the words and posh-characters. :)
Brilliant. But the more I watch these, the more I think how much these must have been deeply helpful for Fry in his personal life - writing these sketches with Hugh, and Hugh himself. Simply excellent.
They were critiquing the sketch while being in the sketch. This is some serious 4th wall breaking!
"Now you see that's interesting." "Oh dear, wasn't meant to be."
"Yes, I thought it was predictable really"
"you predicted it, did you?"
"Yes I predicted it"
This is probably how Guardian critics interact with each other.
I mean to make myself sound like an interesting and impressive person!
A little like the Philosophers in Beyond the Fringe, especially the slouching.
lol. I didn't even recognize Hugh in this vid. His accent was different. These guys are geniuses :D
Holy crap this sketch is incredible.
I love how the train of thought gets them to analyzing the floor using the same terms one would analyze a movie
I didn't like this sketch. Too predictable.
There is probably an infinite regress of "didnt like it, predictable" comments here. Which is in itself.
Quite soington..
The choice of language was predictable... 😄
Nothing more predictable than a simple down to the floor line of context. It contributes nothing to my emotions to be involved.
I love how Hugh's right leg is lying over Stephen's legs in part 3... and Stephen's slightly wiggling feet throughout that part...
The way their bodies progressively become limp and sprawled out like that reminds me of myself at the desk over the course of the day.
I pity those 5 people who have absolutely no sense of humor! How can anyone not see how bloody brilliant this is.
this is honestly almost exactly what happens to you when you do acid except yr way more energetic and laughing
Thanks for posting this! Fry and Laurie are my heroes :)
i LOVE you for posting this !!!!
So friggin’ ingenious!!!
one of my favorite parts and a favorite episode :-)
Love it! Hugh looks like Letterman's twin in this sketch lol
I wonder if the 2 of them come up with every single sketch combined with the costumes and looks of the characters too? This work is genius.
P.S. I had exceeded my amount of comments and so had to type stuff into that box that appears on such occasions. I don't knowif it's because f this sketch, or just general CZcams policy now, but whereas before we had to type in numbers and random letters, now it was a funny gibberish word of the type Fry and Laurie might use as their characters' names :)
The intellectual Statler and Waldorf.
I adore him too! and i love their laugh, they sound like dying seagulls
Estate Agents...
WHERE!?
Tips for intellectual fun like this from the present day?
And it's all on one level :D
0:04 - "Simon Flitoris", wonderful name for a critic.
+John King sounded like Flitoris to me too
That is what I said.
+John King now did you
That is what YOU said. I hardly spoke at all.
Ahaha! The fatal floor/flaw!
These two are genius!
That one absolutley floored me
I have seen this several times...and I have one question that always comes to mind while watching Part III?
What on Earth are they eating?
NOOO, the floor doesn't WOORK for me.......
Ordinarily, I'd comment on this by quoting it (to make myself sound like an interesting and impressive person), but even as a referential joke it's practically blasphemous. These two are comedic gods. Bravo to the pair of 'em!
Is there a sense in which you aren't completely squalid and pointless?
R.I.P. Roger Ebert.
lol genius, i love their play on words...
I'm pretty sure this is what all university lecturers are like.
Does this sketch still work for everyone?
@Emsyphine Oh, I agree 100%, they are both genius! (Guess I just haven't seen enough Stephen making different accents then. I have to listen more carefully from now on. XD )
I really LOVE this show and these brilliant men! Oh, how I hope they would make more Fry&Laurie, after all these years!
Thoughts? None whatsoever. I thought not, care to make some up for me?
Stephen fry was TotalBiscuit before TotalBiscuit was TotalBiscuit
I'm going to watch this again.
hexonatapeloop That's predictable
"If only they'd come to me...."
The man in the audience who reacts to 'Flitoris' with two very loud, sharp but oddly airless exclamations.
@LuRawen You should hear the accents stephen is capable, he can do an array of scottish, american, australian etc. he really is brilliant.
@CalmBlue doubt it, a squib is a type of firework, hence the saying "went off like a damp squib" when referring to something that has misfired or gone wrong.
Hugh Laurie looks like a young David Letterman here
this vid is soooo predictable :) love it ! got this on dvd but this is quicker
They should've had a fourth part where the lie completely on the floor looking at the ceiling. And then a fifth one where there are in a whole, head first, and only their legs are showing. XD
"Yes, I think that English was a sadly predictable language."
Was it a comedy show? This is the first I see it and it's brilliant :)
google up 'a bit of fry and laurie'
who else is sitting like them right now?
@Areyourealythatdumb Yes and indeed, And what do you mean by 'scuib', and on what levels of predictability?
"that's interesting..."
"wasn't meant to be."
hahahah
I didn't knew that hugh was a humourist at their old days😮😮😮
2 years and 200 thumbs up later...
'Hmm, you couldn't see them from where I was lying.' (1:39)
Stephen's legs are so loooong.
stepehn fry talked about these sort of critics when he went on room 101. it's on youtube
'Do you think it was a fatal floor?' Gaaaaaaaaaaaa! Puns preserve us! Though luckily these comedy titans are the multi story bluewater shopping centres of comedy in that they work on many levels and have so much to offer, albeit avoiding gross lapses in quality and rampant commerciality that my tortured tautologic analogy conveyed of the latter rather than the former...and by that I do mean to sound impressive...maybe I should be a critic? I am slumped smugly in my chair as I write this...(;
their laugh killed me.
He functioned so well, before the Vicodin got to him.
they remind me of my lecturers at university... sadly theyre not as cool as hugh and stephen -_________-
@LuRawen Me too, it would be brilliant!
i love their sarcastic lauighs XD
pretty much sums up Totalbiscuit, Yahtzee and all of Channel awesome
"Oh, quite so, quitely so, quitely soington."
The floor doesn't WORK for me hhahahaah
what show is this?
Celine Qussiny A Bit Of Fry and Laurie
The Times critics.
other than linguistics, this is my Mum and I
I wish someone on Meme base would use this! It could be an amazing Meme.
Does anybody else get the sense that Stephen has to make an effort not to crack up at 3:05?
Maybe it's not true. I don't know. But there does seem to be an amused curling of the lips, a raising of the eyebrows, a peculiar glint in his eyes...
xD
LOVE this scetch, but then again I'm not a critic!
Such a shame this sketch lacked the necessary originality. They could've at the very least added a nuclear explosion, a talking camel, a sentient tape recorder and a jetpack. This is so very drab isn't it?
Critics: they are everywhere.
There was Stephen and his droog Hugh