As a lover of language, I can say that most of what Stephen says is profoundly true. I feel like that's what British Comedy does best. It delivers the truth, and the truth is hilarious.
"Hold the newsreader's nose squarely, waiter, or friendly milk will countermand my trousers." This is and always will be my favourite sentence in the English language.
+Benjamin Rome Clarke I rather like "The lady lies with her left leg planted firmly on the ground and the right hand waiting. The gentleman with the melon switches on the battery and places his left thigh on the edge of the swivel table. Keeping the neck of the stuffed goose absolutely straight..."
As a student in English linguistics and literature this is one of the most inspirational speeches about language I have ever heard. Terribly funny but incredibly intelligent at the same time. "Language is the soft rain of dust that falls into a shaft of morning light as you pluck from an old bookshelf a half-forgotten book of erotic memoirs" is a quote that will stay with me for the rest of my life
I tried to translate this sketch to Chinese for one of my friends, but I just couldn't. There is something in this sketch that is only funny in English and not otherwise. This is just a brilliant and well-thought piece of comedy!
Тhis mоviе is nоw аavаilable tооo wааtсh here => twitter.com/2b6f5fe6f175bcda2/status/824454297890926593 A Bit оf Fryуyy ааnd Lauriе Тriсkу Linguisticсs
The funniest part about this to me is that, at least on some level, Stephen is completely serious here: of course, it's framed in a comical tone, particularly it's poking fun at all those sit-down programmes with rickety old philosophs, but then Stephen himself went on to make a totally serious podcast episode that was, essentially, the contents of this skit, except 100% serious. This *is* a very serious topic for Stephen, and I don't think anyone else on Earth could have done this skit.
This is the best linguistics lesson I've ever seen. Unorthodox, but very effective. "There's language and there's speaking...There's chess and there's a game of chess" I'm not sure that's the example De Saussure used when describing langue and parole hahaha. And describing creativity with a piano as an example...brilliant. I don't know why I wasted my time on Uni. This is much better. My professor would've never accepted the definition of language to be "The creak on a stair."
I like how all of what he is saying makes perfect sense. I study Social Anthropology and have had lectures in the Philosophy of Language, and it is nice to see how the theories are echoing in this sketch. They showed us a Monty Python sketch in a lecture to illustrate a point - actually, Monty Python has been used on numerous occasions - but I think I would prefer Fry and Laurie. They are able to bring up interesting points and are great at being creative with language.
I was given this vhs for christmas and I didn't ask for it as I had no idea who they were, I was 15, and it blew me away, it was so clever and funny, I'm 36 now and I still haven't found a double act as charming and brilliant as these two, thanks for posting.
Wonderfully funny send-up of the unselfconscious pedant who, instead of killing his audience by slow stupefaction, flays them for salting in the space of a few minutes. And yet. As a clueless student of linguistics, I cannot but goggle at the mastery of the key theories and their reductio ad absurdum that nevertheless begs further study. I trust I make myself obscure.
True and well said (in my opinion), but obfuscation leads to complication, and does not mean it in itself (insofar as the actual message relayed) is complex, as it only presents itself as such; and "it" in this case is my opinion, which is that there is comedy and then the comedic act, where the former is purely based on what thoughts or situations an individual finds humorous and the latter is (usually) a visual [re]presentation of the comedy being relayed. I digress for only a moment to suggest one of my favorite shows South Park as an example: I believe it was (and is) the crude-but-now-HD animation that gave a satirical face to the ridiculous yet comedic situations in the show, which is what makes South Park successful. Unfortunately, that kind of comedy has become mainstream and dumbed down, along with live acts that both require no actual thought and focus instead on the presentation of silly things. I love Fry and Laurie because I don't need to see it to laugh, the comedy itself is genius, and though there is room for improvement in the presentation (I hate studio audiences laughing), this was 30 years ago and don't really give a fuck.
You have not been quite thoroughgoing in your quest for obfuscatory phrasing. Merely academic, sir, merely academic, but quite satisfactory, vis á vis the communication of your most agreeable opinion.
I love this is so much that I had memorised all the dialogue and would continually repeat this sketch saying the complete dialogue along with them. I miss doing that...
I absolutely ADORE when Fry blathers on like a pretentious twit. It's one of my favorite of his gags. The best thing is how masterfully he can blur the lines between valid points and complete gibberish. The way he speaks is like music...like Free form Jazz. I could hear him go on for DAYS!!!
It's great how absolutely intelligent their sketches are. This is really the best sort of comedy out there, because it doesn't just make you laugh, it makes you think.
I started watching English comedy when I was about 20, this is one of the first sketches I remember watching and it's still my favourite. I swear one day I'll be able to understand every damn word
These two are the greatest comedy duo since Laurel and Hardy. My favourites were the "vox pops" bits where they would pretend to be random people interviewed in the street.
That. is. awesome. I mean that in the way that this sketch is so freaking brilliant. It can be dissected by linguists, 'wtf'd by a layman, and still be laugh out loud funny. I just wanted to say I enjoyed your brief exposition of this sketch. I've recently looked into how language affects reality... or vice versa... interesting shit.
My dad is a linguistics professor, and his opening lecture for linguistics 101 sounds remarkably like this... without Mr. Fry's innate charm, of course :)
This cheers me up immensely after weeks of trying to understand this kind of stuff while cramming for my biolinguistics exam. I can really sympathise with Hugh's character... I love these guys so, so much. :D
Me? I'm laughing for joy at Stephen Fry's linguistic skills, delivery and timing. A brilliant piece of witty writing, and I'm not ashamed of enjoying that!
As a lover of language, I can say that most of what Stephen says is profoundly true. I feel like that's what British Comedy does best. It delivers the truth, and the truth is hilarious.
I have a serious reason to believe Stephen is actually Oscar Wilde
"Hold the newsreader's nose squarely, waiter, or friendly milk will countermand my trousers."
This is and always will be my favourite sentence in the English language.
+Benjamin Rome Clarke I rather like "The lady lies with her left leg planted firmly on the ground and the right hand waiting. The gentleman with the melon switches on the battery and places his left thigh on the edge of the swivel table. Keeping the neck of the stuffed goose absolutely straight..."
@@stephenhooker882 ... Where is this from?
''Stop it, why should I, that hurt, help, Marjorie is dead'' I laughed so hard :D. I love these two.
If you understand this video, then you are fluent in English.
You can watch A Bit of Fryy and Laurie here twitter.com/28e6939923d472f6c/status/824454297890926593
As a student in English linguistics and literature this is one of the most inspirational speeches about language I have ever heard. Terribly funny but incredibly intelligent at the same time.
"Language is the soft rain of dust that falls into a shaft of morning light as you pluck from an old bookshelf a half-forgotten book of erotic memoirs" is a quote that will stay with me for the rest of my life
I tried to translate this sketch to Chinese for one of my friends, but I just couldn't. There is something in this sketch that is only funny in English and not otherwise. This is just a brilliant and well-thought piece of comedy!
I know I'm 7 years late, but I commend you for trying to make the effort!
As a linguistic anthropology major I find this extremely entertaining:)
Тhis mоviе is nоw аavаilable tооo wааtсh here => twitter.com/2b6f5fe6f175bcda2/status/824454297890926593 A Bit оf Fryуyy ааnd Lauriе Тriсkу Linguisticсs
I may not be a linguistic anthropologist but I sure am a cunning linguist () 👅 Couldn't resist mate
This is an education in linguistics. he mentions digital infinity, linguistic relativism, langue vs. parole.
The funniest part about this to me is that, at least on some level, Stephen is completely serious here: of course, it's framed in a comical tone, particularly it's poking fun at all those sit-down programmes with rickety old philosophs, but then Stephen himself went on to make a totally serious podcast episode that was, essentially, the contents of this skit, except 100% serious.
This *is* a very serious topic for Stephen, and I don't think anyone else on Earth could have done this skit.
I think this loosely encapsulates the first year of an English degree..
studiying linguistics and english, can confirm ;)
puddingball
but can't spel
hexonatapeloop hoping for so long nobody'd notice that...
puddingball
mwahahahahahaha
Yeah. Exactly.
"Hold the news-reader's nose squarely, waiter, or friendly milk will countermand my trousers."
I wish I had said that.
+hexonatapeloop You will, you will!
Our first album will be called Marjorie Is Dead
This is the best linguistics lesson I've ever seen. Unorthodox, but very effective. "There's language and there's speaking...There's chess and there's a
game of chess" I'm not sure that's the example De Saussure used when
describing langue and parole hahaha. And describing creativity with a piano as an example...brilliant. I don't know why I wasted my time on Uni. This is much better. My professor would've never accepted the definition of language to be "The creak on a stair."
I like how all of what he is saying makes perfect sense. I study Social Anthropology and have had lectures in the Philosophy of Language, and it is nice to see how the theories are echoing in this sketch. They showed us a Monty Python sketch in a lecture to illustrate a point - actually, Monty Python has been used on numerous occasions - but I think I would prefer Fry and Laurie. They are able to bring up interesting points and are great at being creative with language.
I still love this sketch after all these years. The command of the language is amazing from the totally amazing Stephen Fry : ))
I was given this vhs for christmas and I didn't ask for it as I had no idea who they were, I was 15, and it blew me away, it was so clever and funny, I'm 36 now and I still haven't found a double act as charming and brilliant as these two, thanks for posting.
Excellent acting by Stephen.
Fantastic, I love the ridiculous gestures and mannerisms.
" Is English too ironic to sustain Hitlerian styles? "
croutonscarf maybe not but an awful lot of the straight-faced Stalinesque lately, perhaps not met with the derision it deserves
+croutonscarf Watch "This is England" and decide for yourselves. Also UKIP got 4 million votes last election.
+Tekin Beyoglu UKIP is only going to get more popular, that's for sure.
Oh these gentlemen are just wonderful. I love them so much. I am so so so so glad they exist.
I love this kind of humor so much... They need to make more of it!
Wonderfully funny send-up of the unselfconscious pedant who, instead of killing his audience by slow stupefaction, flays them for salting in the space of a few minutes. And yet. As a clueless student of linguistics, I cannot but goggle at the mastery of the key theories and their reductio ad absurdum that nevertheless begs further study. I trust I make myself obscure.
True and well said (in my opinion), but obfuscation leads to complication, and does not mean it in itself (insofar as the actual message relayed) is complex, as it only presents itself as such; and "it" in this case is my opinion, which is that there is comedy and then the comedic act, where the former is purely based on what thoughts or situations an individual finds humorous and the latter is (usually) a visual [re]presentation of the comedy being relayed. I digress for only a moment to suggest one of my favorite shows South Park as an example: I believe it was (and is) the crude-but-now-HD animation that gave a satirical face to the ridiculous yet comedic situations in the show, which is what makes South Park successful.
Unfortunately, that kind of comedy has become mainstream and dumbed down, along with live acts that both require no actual thought and focus instead on the presentation of silly things. I love Fry and Laurie because I don't need to see it to laugh, the comedy itself is genius, and though there is room for improvement in the presentation (I hate studio audiences laughing), this was 30 years ago and don't really give a fuck.
Hey are you related The Nietzche?
You have not been quite thoroughgoing in your quest for obfuscatory phrasing. Merely academic, sir, merely academic, but quite satisfactory, vis á vis the communication of your most agreeable opinion.
I understand some of these words.
I almost died at 2:39. Hugh's delayed, reconsidering reaction is nothing short of genius all by itself.
"May I compartmentalise? I hate to, but may I, may I?"
Love this line. Fry is hilarious in this sketch.
Has it occurred to anyone yet that Stephen Fry has memorized this entire script? The memory on this genius of a man!
This is genius, not only because it is funny, but because it IS funny and very profound at the same time...
God, I love this guys...
There's so many good bits in this I can't decide the best. Fry's acting is just sublime. Funniest sketch I ever saw.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Definitely need to get the complete box-set for Christmas!
"I love you. Don't go in there. Get out. You have no right to say that. Stop it. Why should I? That hurt. Help. Majorie is dead."
I love these two.
Educating, thought-provoking and yet self-mocking and deprecating. Brilliant, utterly brilliant!!!
I remember watching this over and over on VHS, it's their finest sketch working on so many levels.
I hate to gush about how much I love Stephen Fry and his brilliant command of the English language, but may I? May I?
Only these two could do something this funny while still banging out a fiercely intellectual and concise argument at the same time.
FAVOURITE PART:
EX-trinsically, EX-trinsically!!!!
I LOVE the hand movements,and how Hugh Laurie joins in the second time!!!!
CLASSIC!!!
I love this is so much that I had memorised all the dialogue and would continually repeat this sketch saying the complete dialogue along with them. I miss doing that...
I absolutely ADORE when Fry blathers on like a pretentious twit. It's one of my favorite of his gags. The best thing is how masterfully he can blur the lines between valid points and complete gibberish. The way he speaks is like music...like Free form Jazz.
I could hear him go on for DAYS!!!
... a unique child born by a unique mother.. Hilarious sketch! :) love it !
Fry is absolutely brilliant!!!! What a treat.
I love how you can tell that Fry really believes everything he says in that speech.
It's great how absolutely intelligent their sketches are. This is really the best sort of comedy out there, because it doesn't just make you laugh, it makes you think.
I'm in loooooooove!
With the two of them!
Absolutely brilliant!
I love saying aloud sentences that I can't imagine anyone else ever saying before.
I started watching English comedy when I was about 20, this is one of the first sketches I remember watching and it's still my favourite.
I swear one day I'll be able to understand every damn word
I could listen to fry talking like that for hours.He's great with words.
Sublime on so many levels. I miss these two working together.
These two are the greatest comedy duo since Laurel and Hardy. My favourites were the "vox pops" bits where they would pretend to be random people interviewed in the street.
So so clever..... love it
That. is. awesome.
I mean that in the way that this sketch is so freaking brilliant. It can be dissected by linguists, 'wtf'd by a layman, and still be laugh out loud funny. I just wanted to say I enjoyed your brief exposition of this sketch. I've recently looked into how language affects reality... or vice versa... interesting shit.
Such a witty and intelligent sketch, not to mention utterly hilarious.
God, it's just an absolute delight to listen to him speak...
Oh, WOW!! Thanks for this insight! I just Wikipedia'd everything you said, and now I enjoy this sketch even more :)
Absurdly brilliant!
You are so right. We had people who spoke like that when I was at Uni. (I studied Linguistics). I think the whole monologue is inspired in Saussure.
i was thinking the same thing, but then i realized that if i was in the audience and watching these two geniuses at work i would be just as loud!
Pure brilliance!
I think his remarkable useage of language ensures that when Mr Fry talks... everyone else automatically goes silent and listens.
I have never seen this until today. It is a work of pure genius. If Douglas Adams was alive, he probably wishes he had written it.
This is just way too funny. Such a good parody of this type of modern academic.
BRILLIANT!!
I'd like to see modern comedians do this with as much natural sofistication as these two. ABOFAL was so ahead of it's time. Thanks for posting. :)
the best comedy sketch ever!
This sketch makes me want to memorize several dictionaries, but at the same time made me laugh.
Beautiful.
quite brilliant!
love it!!!!
Thanks Jacy. The English have always been good with those unseen characters IMO. Reminds me of Sheridan Bucket and his aunt Violet.
Beautiful English. Just beautiful. *wipes tear*
My dad is a linguistics professor, and his opening lecture for linguistics 101 sounds remarkably like this... without Mr. Fry's innate charm, of course :)
Damn! Double damn! And an extra pint of damn for the weekend!
Genius. And linguistically, lavish.
I think I'm going to wake Dorset by my laughter.
those metaphors he uses at the end are funny...they're hilarious!
It's inexplicable that "friendly milk has countermanded my trousers" has not become a more popular euphemism.
i love love LOVE this :)
'Marjorie's dead' - that is brilliant! LOL
"We're talking about chickens, we're talking about eggs."
Nice XD
This cheers me up immensely after weeks of trying to understand this kind of stuff while cramming for my biolinguistics exam. I can really sympathise with Hugh's character...
I love these guys so, so much. :D
Me? I'm laughing for joy at Stephen Fry's linguistic skills, delivery and timing. A brilliant piece of witty writing, and I'm not ashamed of enjoying that!
I love the bit when he stifles his laughter.
It shows the comedy for what it really is thought by him.
After "help marjerie is dead"
Same here. That sure as hell does not look like it was intended.
in Dorset alone. 😂
The way he say capable is just amazing, lol
Hilarious and profound, Stephen Fry is brilliant.
i just love how he keeps smiling like he's said the most brilliant thing ever. i honestly love that.
“Hold the newsreader's nose squarely, waiter, or friendly milk will countermand my trousers.” Brilliant!
Two gods of comedy
it's amazing how Stephen can remember all that text... i would pass out
A comedy sketch with a valid and interesting point.
"Is our language, English *capable*" :D LOL, that's one masterpiece!
Brilliant ^^
Fry is so good at what he is doing!
Stephen Fry simply runs away with this, and that's not taking anything away from Hugh - very big in the States - Laurie.
Brilliant stuff, this.
thank you england for consistently being 20 years ahead of comedy
Yeah I'm writting a test on linguistics in about an hour...this gave me inspiration.
just astounding
this is stephen fry's favorite skit
Saw him on "thank god you're here" and it was incredible- I think he really is that fast.
Capable
Nothing like humor in British terms for British blood no matter where we live!!! :)