’Door slammed’ behind US star Hugh - Mar 11 2008
Actor Hugh Laurie says Britain has turned its back on him since he found fame across the Atlantic.

Hugh is the star of US TV drama House in a role which has earned him a Golden Globe and a stack of Emmy nominations. He plays grumpy, painkiller-addicted medic Gregory House.

But he told the Radio Times: "There’s a notion that I’ve sold out. Sold out what, exactly? There’s a peculiar British attitude that I took an oath I wouldn’t be successful, and reneged on it."

He has not been approached with any other job offers since joining the show four years ago: "I’m off the market. There’s no time to do anything else. The hours are relentless. I haven’t been offered anything in Britain either. The door slammed behind me, and that’s it."

US fans are now acquainting themselves with Hugh’s old roles by watching DVDs of Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster and A Bit Of Fry And Laurie.

The actor said: "Americans are more aware of the world outside, whereas in Britain we’re still resentful because we were swamped by American TV and films that at their best are terrific and give a huge amount of pleasure to the world."

Hugh also revealed he is eager to work with Stephen Fry again.

"I’d love to do anything with him, from a game of chess to a feature film. But I wouldn’t front shows like QI or Have I Got News For You. I’m no good as myself. I don’t hugely like me," the 48-year-old said.

Filming resumes on House - Feb 20 2008
Hugh Laurie’s medical drama House has resumed production following the Hollywood writers’ strike.

And fans don’t have too long to wait, as there will apparently be a new episode of the hit show screening in the US on April 28.

E! Online reports the announcement was made by the US network Fox which makes the show, its third highest rated.

Forensic drama Bones will also be returning, with a new episode on April 14.

However, there was no word as to how many new shows will be airing before the traditional end of season in late May.

Fox said its animated comedies, The Simpsons and Family Guy, were also back in production following the strike. But it reportedly confirmed that the new season of Kiefer Sutherland’s drama 24 will not be back on US screens until next January.

With its recent announcement, Fox has become the third of the four big US networks to announce its programming plans post-strike. ABC has yet to announce spring return dates for its hit shows, which include Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.

Laurie’s band takes US by storm - Sept 27 2007
They are normally known for their acting talent rather than their musical skills, but a celeb-packed band featuring Hugh Laurie has taken the US download charts by storm.

The helpfully named Band From TV includes House star Hugh, Desperate Housewives heartthrob James Denton, who plays Teri Hatcher’s love interest, and Heroes actor Greg Grunberg.

Now The Independent has reported that the group have attracted more than 100,000 visitors to their MySpace site.

Their cover of jazz classic Minnie The Moocher has also proven to be a hit on download sites, Hugh said.

"There are about 59 versions of Minnie The Moocher on iTunes and I’m afraid to say ours is the most popular," he said.

Brit Hugh is the keyboardist and singer for Band From TV, who originally came together for a charity concert, where they featured on the same bill as Fleetwood Mac and Macy Gray.

He admitted that his taste of musical success "was a real thrill".