The hunky House man is an intelligent and very funny individual. Not many americans realise that his career in Film/TV is largely based upon a comedy double act between him and Stephen Fry which then led to his many appearences on Blackadder. Like many funny men Mr Laurie's humour grows out of a finely tuned and somewhat academic mind. When he says that what he likes about his British culture is the 'buildings and the cruelty', I think he is being serious and funny at the same time.
A Quote from Hugh 'House' Laurie on what he likes about Britain.
"The buildings and the cruelty. They're very harsh people, the British: hard to impress, very tough on each other, but I rather like that. It's not that the British are more honest - you're just under no illusion with them. LA runs on optimism, enthusiasm and flattery. I think you can go a little bit crazy. I've heard people say there's a limit to the number of years you can stay in this city without going slightly mad. It's just too damn sunny in every dimension - weather-wise, socially and professionally."
There's more than a grain of truth in this...The architecture of Britain is unique in diversity and scale. Now that I live in New York and am thinking of buying a house in the US I have realised that the architecture is not exciting me in the same way that Britain's Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian stock is. I am not talking about fabulous Manhattan lofts nor large hacienda style piles in LA but about the suburbs, where the normal people live.
As to the cruelty? Ponder this; a good friend, Michael Roemer, from Hamburg whose father served with the Wehrmacht in WWII once asked me, "Why are the British so warlike?" I couldn't answer but knew what he meant. We Brits are a warm and fuzzy bunch who will rip your throat out if you spill our pint or shag our wimmin. Maybe.
