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The Associated Press is a bit late to the party with this one (after all, Stephen’s photo has been in House’s office since at least February of last year, we know it’s still there this year and it’s not as though Stephen isn’t harboring some fantasies), but they redeem themselves somewhat by getting some nice quotes from Stephen on the mutual admiration society his character has with Dr. House. Not only that, Stephen also gets to mention his personal admiration for Hugh Laurie. Shout outs to Blackadder and A Bit of Fry and Laurie — win!
The funniest relationship on TV? Colbert and House
NEW YORK — The funniest relationship on TV might be the clandestine, cross-network affair between “The Colbert Report” and “House.”
. . .
Colbert first placed the photo on his set in June 2006 after Colbert (the real one) received an honorary degree from Knox College. This made him a doctor, Colbert claimed, and next to his degree, he placed photos of three other TV doctors: House, Noah Drake from “ER,” and Dr. Cliff Huxtable from “The Cosby Show.”
The House photo (now more visible because “The Report” broadcasts in high-definition) has stuck around, Colbert said in a recent interview, because the show noticed it would frequently show up on camera over his shoulder.
“We said we’ve got to keep that — we can’t get rid of the picture of House,” he said.
When he saw that “House” responded in kind, Colbert said he was “honored because I’m such a fan.”
. . .
Here’s that clip from 2006 again, with Stephen featuring House’s photo for the first time.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Honorary Doctor | ||||
| ||||
DB has also compiled a nice selection of other Colbert Report salutes to House here. Enjoy!
EDITED TO ADD: Jake Coyle has updated his story to add Mr. Laurie’s response, and it’s well worth repeating:
In an email Wednesday, Laurie said he was “hugely flattered by Mr. Colbert’s tip of the hat.”
“People sometimes ask whether I have anything in common with the character I play, and I answer as truthfully as I can: House and I are the same height and we both have a worshipful obsession with Stephen Colbert,” said Laurie. “That’s it. And even the height part isn’t quite right. I am actually one inch taller than House. But it seemed to us completely and satisfyingly consistent for House to curl up in front of Colbert after a hard day’s healing.”
Truly, I’m THRILLED by this little lovefest. Keep it up, guys!
(Coyle also corrected his “Noah Drake” error — whew.)
Oh Associated Press– you need to do your homework: Dr. Noah Drake was played by Rick Springfield on General Hospital!
A fun article! It is a nice little cross-tv show connection.
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Hahaha!! I wondered who would pick up on that first. Isn’t that hilarious, that they messed up Noah Wyle and Noah Drake?
It’s hardly the first time I’ve said this when copying posts to NFZ, but … someone at the AP needs to budget in for editors/proofers!
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Is it wrong that I would really love to see a crossover? Seeing Hugh Laurie on the Report or Stephen Colbert on House would be amazing. Probably unlikely, but amazing.
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Worshipful obsession!!! Haha! Mr. Laurie, we’d get along great :).
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In the article, Colbert indicates his favorite Laurie show is “A Bit of Fry and Laurie.” Is there anybody here who’s watched that show? Like it? Dislike it? I’m curious.
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It’s completely wonderful! I don’t have time to point you toward anything in particular just now, but I know if you YouTube “fry and laurie”, you’ll get plenty of options. Go for it!
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Thanks Ms. Interpreted!
I’ve been enjoying an interview w/ Michael Jackson, the chipmunk “Hey Jude,” & the fine country song “Kicking Ass.” :}
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I love House and Hugh Laurie. It would be so terrific if he would stumble into the TCR studio sometime.
My other favorite British actor is Colin Firth. If he could make it onto TCR, then I could really die happy. Just kidding about the dying thing of course.
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Colin Firth is definitely a charmer. He was the guest at the first taping of The Daily Show I went to — what luck for me!
I don’t know how they’d ever make the schedules work for a Hugh Laurie (or Greg House) appearance because of the opposite coast filming, but I agree with everyone else that seeing Mr. Laurie on The Report would be an unconditional delight.
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My fangirl heart is so happy right now because of this Colbert-Laurie mutual lovefest. Hugh’s “worshipful obsession” makes him one of us, and that’s simply beyond awesome. I really think he needs to be a guest on TCR. Please get on that, folks!
I can remember watching Jeeves & Wooster and Blackadder way back when, so I’ve always known how funny Hugh Laurie is. I’m still surprised when others say they only know him from “House” and had no idea he was a funny guy.
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I totally concur … a bit of Fly and Laurie skits were side-splittingly irreverent and hilarious … would love to see Laurie and Colbert do improv together.
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This is fantastic! I am absolutely jumping on the “Please have Hugh Laurie on The Colbert Report” bandwagon. TV gods, make it happen! :D
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***i meant to reply to Ms Interpreted***
ok i’m hugely jealous that you saw Firth on TDS. you must be familiar with mr. firth’s work as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, being an avid reader and all.
and it would be awesome if laurie came on in character as dr. house. instant hilarity, imho.
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My two favorite celebrities together…pure bliss. Oh I hope they get together sometime. Stephen would be an excellent patient (or doctor???), and/or Hugh an excellent guest. Their fathers were both doctors, weren’t they? :) May the television gods hear our plea.
And I love that Hugh Laurie thinks Stephen Colbert is the only thing he and House have in common! I’ve never thought about it that way before – I just assumed they put the picture of Stephen in as an inside joke to reference the Colbert Report’s picture. I never thought about that House himself must like Stephen. But it’s such a perfect fit – the intelligence, the snark. And you know House is totally stoked to watch any show where the host openly admits to fantasizing about spending a weekend with him.
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