I have finally found the reason for my occasional need to chortle when I see Hugh Laurie playing House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_(Blackadder_character)

I kept thinking he looked familiar. Now I know why.

Haha, yeah, he had a long comedy career before House. I've never watched the shows, only seen clips, but he was half of Fry and Laurie and of Jeeves and Wooster. Good stuff.