Agree with what you say. Americans are much more oriented to seeing the positive in your contribution while the Brits love to pick at any little snag real or invented to diminish whatever achievement or talent - however modest - you might have.

Disagree about Laurie having a "bit part" in Blackadder. It was a real and substantial role with lots of screen time. Rowan Atkinson was the star of course but Laurie had a significant supporting role in every episode he appeared in and contributed much to the merriment.

His performance in House is of course a revelation and a joy. He has created the role from the basement up and is irreplaceable in it. Therefore he can console himself with the squillions of $$$$$$ that he can demand for each episode.