2009: The Year Carlene Falls In Love With Stephen Fry

April 21st, 2009 | Carlene

For someone who doesn’t have a heart, I sure fall in love easily. Or at least I say I will. I said I would fall in love with Will Smith’s rap career (a passing fancy), Claude Rains’ moustache (still working on it), and the comic genius of Stephen Fry. I first became aware of Stephen Fry’s geniusness in A Bit of Fry and Laurie, the ridiculously dry and hilarious sketch comedy show he co-starred in with Hugh Laurie. After watching a few episodes I announced my intention to fall in love with Mr. Fry in 2009.

March rolled around and I still hadn’t fallen completely in love with Stephen Fry, despite constant reminders and even being introduced to his absurd quiz show, QI. Only after I purchased a library card and discovered I could rent movies as well as books, did I commit myself to this one sided relationship with the works of Mr. Fry. I started off with the early-90′s television series, Jeeves and Wooster. This is a television adaptation of P. G. Wodehouse’s short stories about a rich and lazy bachelor, Wooster, played by Hugh Laurie and his genius personal gentleman, Jeeves, played by none other than Fry himself. This show has quickly become one of my favorites, not just for its humor, jazzy opening music, and general attractiveness of the two lead actors, but because it is just plain funny,without resorting to crude jokes. There is something hilarious about hearing Fry and Laurie scheme about fixing a church potato sack race. So far I have only watched the first season, but thanks to my library card I am sure I will be checking out more.

After Jeeves and Wooster, I need to seek out the rest of A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and delve into Stephen Fry’s literary works. Also, if at all possible, I need, need, need to get my hands on a movie about Oscar Wilde in which Fry plays Wilde. How can I say no to a witty, gay, posh, Brit playing the wittiest, gayest, poshest Brit? And if all of this talk about Fry’s awesomeness hasn’t sold you on him, he was the last winner of the Pipe Smoker of the Year award (not that kind of pipe, you hippies).

So go to your library or alternative movie store and get your hands on everything Stephen Fry has ever done. Trust me. You’ll love him. Here are a few snippets to get your libido started.