Yes, Hugh Laurie was a famous British Comedian long before anyone in America knew about him. So were the Python's, although not as dramatically. And so was Rowan Atkinson. They were all very funny. But it doesn't make you a better, or superior person to know this, and people really should just be happy he's made it across the pond, and now is recognized by even more people for the tremendous actor, both comedic and dramatic he is, rather than make them try to alienate others by saying they knew him beforehand. Also, Friends is a sitcom, and entirely unique brand of comedy and thus a separate and incomparable form to the sketch comedy of a bit of fry and laurie. Both are funny in different ways, and pointless to compare.