Depends on the plant, there are some that are sensitive to and can be damaged by soaps and oils, not that I'm suggesting that would happen here and they're both things I would try myself for insects/mites if not contraindicated, but we don't know what kind of plant it is. That's another thing that would help both with the diagnosis and the most appropriate cure. It looks like a cutting. Anyone hazard a guess as to what it might be?
On the second topic, not a fan of the show either but maybe people just like Hugh Laurie?